Our comments on Maurice Strategie Bill

A new public body will be created by converting the existing Maurice Stratégie, a private company incorporated under the Economic Development Board, into a public body, and placed directly under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.

Le Minis bluffer !

Minis bluffer; zot rappel li ti pé dir ki prix médikamans fin baisser !

A la enn lot bêtiz li pé dir !

The Maurice Stratégie Bill-more of the same

Back in 2017, (published in L’express titled “The Economic Development Board –Some Issues”), we had highlighted that the combination in the EDB of the twin objectives of (a) investment promotion and facilitation and (b) of national economic strategy and policy advice, was nonsensical. The EDB should have focused on the first objective. The formulation of economic strategy and policy should have been entrusted to a dedicated broad-based committee or agency, under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s office.

NON á elektion partiel

Cher Kamarad,

Si où pé particip dan sa eleksyon parsyel la,

Ou pé enkouraz gaspillaz taxpayers’ money

Ou pé tomb dan piézz sa réżim là…

Ou tomb dan so zouet !

Si vraiman sa rézim foiré là kroir dan demokrasi ki fer li pas don eleksyon municipal !

For a more competitive Export and SME sector

Government’s export boom narrative is nowhere to be seen in the statistical data. After a negative growth of 12% in 2023 , the export of goods is expected to register another year of negative growth , a -1.7 growth in 2024 . In real terms (on the basis of latest historical series on SM’s website-not updated), it is just Rs 67 bn compared to pre-pandemic level of Rs 77 bn-still 88% of the 2019 level of exports of goods. The secular deterioration in our capacity to meet import needs from export earnings is reflected in the declining ratio of exports to imports of goods (both on FOB basis) from around 60% a decade ago to less than 40% currently.

A stumbling and fumbling Minister of Environment !

After the Privy Council's judgment on the Eco-Sud versus Minister of Environment case, confirming that Eco-Sud had the requisite standing to challenge the decision of the Minister of Environment who had issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit for the Pointe d'Esny Lakeside Company Limited project, we had been expecting some strong arguments/answers from the Minister as to why he chose to side with the promoter and maintain the very restrictive sections on citizens' rights.

Cronyism at its height in our Mafiadom!

You know what the business magnate Adani is for Modi , and till lately what the betting mogul was to Pinok ; now that the gambler-cum -financier seemed to have “twit” , he has been replaced by Gopee, the very one who has the right political connections that lead to lucrative contracts and vast wealth.

Indiscipline and violence in schools !

Today’s press headlines are about indiscipline and violence in schools -“L’indiscipline à l’école est devenue systémique , atteignant des proportions décrites comme étant hors de contrôle par divers pédagogues. Les chiffres sur le sujet déposés á l’Assemblée nationale sont saisissants.”

Bonnet Blanc et Blanc Bonnet !

Our politicians can no longer feel the pulse of the masses across the country.They are failing to transmit one fundamental message to voters: government is working for you, not for elites of some kind or for friends and relatives in the party establishment. They are unable to present voters with a palatable alternative because they have lost the right to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude !