Sitting tuesday 10th august 2010

(No. 1B/439)

Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development whether, in regard to the making of Mauritius a duty-free island, he will state where matters stand.

The vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Mr P. Jugnauth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would request the hon. Member to refer to my reply to PQ No. 1B/257 of the sitting of 06 July 2010, where I indicated clearly my vision of making Mauritius a duty-free island, how the project is to be implemented and that we are also updating the Blueprint that was prepared some five years ago. I also mentioned, therein, that this Government is committed to move forward with the project.
Circumstances prevailing today are also quite different and any views and contributions from different stakeholders, thereon, will be given due consideration in the update. Therefore, I would request the hon. Member to be patient until the presentation of the forthcoming 2011 Budget for more information on this project.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, can the hon. vice-Prime Minister give us an idea about the Blueprint and when it is going to be…
The Deputy Speaker: I understand there was one previously.

Mr Jugnauth: There was a Blueprint that was prepared in 2004 and 2005, but that Blueprint has to be revisited because, as I have said, the situation has changed. We are facing different challenges in view of the fact also that we now deal with the Euro crisis that has to be updated. But, in the course of updating, we will also welcome any proposals, suggestions and views by anybody who wishes to give any idea. We will consider and, if need be, we will try to integrate – if there are valid views – them in the Blueprint.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1B/257 by hon. Li Kwong Wing, the hon. Minister stated –
“I can but reaffirm my determination and conviction that Mauritius must become a duty-free island.”

But where I got perplexed, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is when I read l’entretien du Président de la Démocratisation de l’Économie, hon. Cader Sayed-Hossen who stated –
“Nous allons perdre des dizaines de milliers de jobs. Nous n’avons pas la capacité de faire de Maurice une duty-free island à court et à moyen terme.”
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we would like to know which is which? Who is going to win the party, is it the MSM or the Labour party?

The Deputy Speaker: All right, you have made your point, hon. Guimbeau! Let the Minister reply!

(Interruptions)

Order, please! Order! Order, please! We will listen to the answer of the hon. Minister! Hon. Jhugroo, please!

Mr Jugnauth: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have stated the Government’s vision to make Mauritius a duty-free island. That was canvassed in the electoral campaign. That forms part of our electoral programme and, in fact, some Members on this side have been talking about this project. Therefore, I would, again, request the hon. Member to be patient. We have five years to go and during that time we will see how far we can go in implementing the Duty-free Island Project.

Mr Guimbeau: Can the hon. Minister of Finance tell us whether he has canvassed his partner as well? It seems to be confusing!

The Deputy Speaker: I will not allow this question! The hon. Minister has explained the situation. We will move on to the next question! Hon. Mrs Ribot!