Industry Minister Chairs 1st IPCC Meeting to Launch a 10 Year Roadmap

The Mauritian government has taken a decisive step toward overhauling its economic landscape with the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Policy Coordination Committee (IPCC).

Chaired by Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Aadil Ameer Meea, on 27 January, the committee marks a strategic pivot from a consumption-led economy to one rooted in production, local manufacturing, and “smarter” exports.

The initiative, established under the 2025-26 Budget, aims to draft a ten-year industrial roadmap in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the private sector.

A Modern Roadmap for Growth

Minister Meea addressed key industry stakeholders, stressing that Mauritius can no longer rely on “obsolete industrial models” due to rising labour costs relative to global competitors. The new strategy prioritises:

• Industry 4.0: A shift toward automation, digitisation, and high-value-added activities.
• Capital Productivity: Modernising factories and addressing the “misallocation” of investments.
• Legislative Reform: The Council of Ministers has approved drafting instructions for a new Industry Act to modernise the nation’s legal framework.

Tackling Structural Bottlenecks

The IPCC will function as a central coordination hub to eliminate systemic “blockages” that have previously hindered growth.

To manage this, several specialised sub-committees will be formed to oversee specific pillars:

• Investment & Exports: The Economic Development Board (EDB) has been tasked with providing a detailed report on industrial projects and addressing “insufficient progress” in export results.
• Labour & Skills: A dedicated group will tackle the “rigidity” of work permit processes and the shortage of STEM skills to better align vocational training with industry needs.
• Finance: In partnership with the Bank of Mauritius, this sub-committee will develop risk-sharing mechanisms and incentives for “productive lending” to counter the high-risk perception of manufacturing.
• Productivity: Led by the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC), this group will produce regular analytical reports to identify structural bottlenecks.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

The government also highlighted logistics as a critical factor for competitiveness. While a separate committee manages port issues, the IPCC will focus on the industrial dimension of connectivity, specifically air freight capacity and the reliability of costs for local manufacturers.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including Dilzad Kurreemun, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Senior Advisor An-Noor Gaffoor, and Advisor Arshaad Hyda.

Source: l’Express