Message of the President of Republic : Mauritius set to become a high-income country

The challenge for 2018 is to transform Mauritius into a high-income economy through the consolidation of traditional economic sectors and the acceleration of the economic diversification of new sectors.

Government has already identified several sectors amongst which are green energy, ocean economy, services and sciences. This was the gist of the message to the Nation from the President of the Republic, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, which was broadcast on Christmas day.

The President pointed out that Mauritius needs to focus on developing its human resource given that the country does not possess any natural resources. Several countries, considered as economic giants, have made massive investments in their human capital through technological tools, science, innovation, and quality education, she said. Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim underscored the importance to promote competence, good governance, a culture of merit based on transparency and respect of institutions.

In her address, President Gurib-Fakim also focused on the youth of Mauritius, which represents the future and which constitutes an important component in the country’s economic transition. She said that greater emphasis has to be put on technical, scientific and professional education, as Mauritius aspires to become a knowledge hub.

The youth also needs to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, she said, while highlighting the importance to promote a better collaboration between academic institutions and the world of work.

According to President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the finance and services sectors will become increasingly important along with new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence.

In her concluding remarks, the President outlined that Mauritius needs to continue to accelerate efforts to focus on new markets such as Africa, which represents a huge market with 1,2 billion inhabitants.

Africa will, in years to come, need competencies such as engineers, researchers, computer technicians and hence the need to prepare the youth to act as facilitators so that Mauritius can act as mediator between Africa and Asia.