1. To begin, could you share your key priorities as Junior Minister of Finance, and how they align with the Government’s broader economic vision for Mauritius?
As a government, our two overarching national outcomes are clear: jobs for Mauritians and inclusive growth across the country. Inclusive growth means better healthcare, better education, poverty reduction, and an environment free from drugs, across gender, disability, and all segments of society.
To achieve this, the foremost currency in any economy is trust. We have worked hard to restore and consolidate trust through macro-fiscal stability - through domestic revenue mobilization and strengthened debt repayment and good governance. As an example, at the macro level, we have embarked on three structural reforms: innovation, competitiveness, and skills.
Our economic model balances fiscal consolidation with strong social protection and inclusion. My headline priorities are jobs and inclusive growth, driven by three calls to action: reform, perform, and transform.
Sectorally, the two fastest-growing areas are financial services and tourism. Financial services, in particular, has outperformed forecasts. Going forward, our strategy is to consolidate what works while innovating in areas such as digital finance, AI, and climate finance.
Mauritius is the only investment-grade financial centre in sub-Saharan Africa. Our role is not simply to serve as an investment gateway but to enable jobs and inclusive growth in Africa by channeling capital flows and contributing into digital and AI supply chains into the continent. Our success is linked to Africa’s success.
2. What are the main policy measures being implemented to ensure sustainable growth amid global uncertainties?
Global shocks are now the new normal, whether geopolitical, economic, or technological. Our response is based on strengthening Mauritius’ five connectivity levers:
Mauritius cannot operate in isolation. Diverse global linkages ensure resilience even if one region faces disruption.
We also focus on self-sufficiency. Despite being surrounded by a vast ocean, we import much of what we eat and much of our seafood. We must change that.
Our approach mirrors the triple bottom line, people, planet, and economy, with good governance as the non-negotiable fourth pillar. Sustainability must be embedded in everything we do.
3. The Mauritius IFC attracts growing interest from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. How are you reinforcing competitiveness while maintaining high standards of compliance and transparency?
First, we remain fully aligned with international standards, ESAAMLG, FATF, and others. Reputation takes decades to build but can be lost instantly. We cannot compromise.
Second, we continue to consolidate existing offerings such as funds, family offices, and payments, while driving new growth in digital finance, AI, and climate finance.
Focus is essential. As Steve Jobs said, focus is not only about knowing what to do but knowing what not to do. Mauritius will prioritise areas where we have a clear competitive advantage and it adds value.
4. Sustainability and green finance are becoming central to policymaking worldwide. What initiatives is Mauritius pursuing to promote ESG investment, renewable energy, and climate-resilient finance?
On the finance side, we have introduced green taxation, green tagging, green budgeting, and we are developing a green taxonomy.
More importantly, we have established a Climate Finance Unit within the Ministry of Finance to bridge the gap between projects seeking funding and financiers seeking bankable projects. This unit focuses on de-risking projects and building capacity.
Mauritius has five priority climate areas:
Our forthcoming NDC 3.0 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035, requiring billions of dollars in investment. Given fiscal constraints, blended finance and private-sector participation are essential.
We are also working towards a green bank like ecosystem for MSMEs and advancing a port-led blue economy, supported by our 2.3 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone.
5. Fiscal responsibility is key to economic stability. How is the government balancing growth-stimulating measures with maintaining strong fiscal discipline?
We have strengthened debt repayment and reduced the budget deficit to maintain investment-grade status and rebuild economic resilience. Importantly, we have not reduced our capital budget.
A key differentiator is our effort to bring the private sector into high-impact social and economic projects through revamped PPP models. Globally, major infrastructure, ports, highways, logistics, are increasingly privately funded. Mauritius is adopting similar models.
We also work closely with the private sector to ensure job creation for Mauritians and to align economic development with inclusion.
6. Mauritius enjoys strong economic ties with the UAE and the wider GCC. How do you envision expanding financial and economic cooperation between Mauritius and the Middle East?
Mauritius, DIFC, ADGM, and Casablanca Finance City compete and cooperate.
There are four key areas where Mauritius and UAE financial centres can collaborate in the enablement of jobs creation and inclusive growth across Africa:
Mauritius brings African expertise, investment-grade status, and access to multiple continental free trade agreements. The GCC brings substantial capital and a strong appetite for global investment.
Mauritius offers a uniquely attractive risk-reward profile: developed-market risk with emerging-market returns. This makes it a compelling destination for UAE and GCC investors. The UAE and GCC can channel capital flows into Mauritius. Thus, Mauritius can be a new profit centre for UAE and GCC investors. Likewise, those UAE and GCC investments will create jobs and inclusive growth in Mauritius.
.png)
