Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that Industrial Revolution 5.0 represents the next transformative phase in global technological advancement, where the focus shifts to a more human-centric approach. It acutely emphasises collaboration between humans and intelligent systems to address critical societal challenges while ensuring as well sustainability and inclusivity. Madam Speaker, my Ministry has embarked on a resolute journey to align Mauritius with the transformative principles of Industrial Revolution 5.0. Madam Speaker, please allow me to now enumerate the measures taken. On December 11, 2024, my Ministry successfully convened a workshop with ICT operators, uniting key leaders and innovators of the sector. This important gathering was more than just a discussion; it was focused on identifying critical challenges and unlocking opportunities that will propel the ICT sector into a new era of growth and innovation. As a result, a task force, which is dedicated, has been established to ensure the swift and strategic implementation of proposals that we received from the ICT operators. The task force operates with a clear mandate to deliver results that meet the specific needs of our nation and contribute to its digital transformation. Madam Speaker, beyond just the ICT sector, my Ministry is also expanding its engagement to encompass education, health, tourism, agriculture and industry at large. Through targeted sectoral meetings, the aim is to deeply understand the unique challenges and opportunities within each of these domains. These engagements will be followed by specialised workshops that will be modelled on the earlier workshop, and the insights gathered will form a foundation for a comprehensive blueprint that will be finalised by the first quarter of 2025. Madam Speaker, the previous government came up with an Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2018-2022, which was more of a document than anything else. The said strategy comprised some 38 comprehensive recommendations. However, the only recommendation that was implemented was the establishment of the Mauritius Emerging Technologies Council that was meant to spearhead AI initiators and oversee their implementation. The Mauritius Emerging Technologies Council (METC) hardly met any of its objectives. Therefore, there was no progress achieved.

63 We understand, Madam Speaker, that it is imperative to highlight the previous government’s lack of commitment to technological advancement and contextualise the vision of this newly formed government. In fact, only 0.41 per cent of the national budget was allocated to this critical sector. No wonder the quality of the laptops was pretty poor! Madam Speaker, my Ministry is dedicated to rectifying past oversights and propelling Mauritius into a future where technology serves as the cornerstone of economic growth and societal advancement. By allocating appropriate resources, fostering public understanding and ensuring ethical AI integration, my Ministry aims at positioning Mauritius as a beacon of technological innovation in Africa and globally as well. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, Mauritius stands ready to embrace the transformative potential of IR 5.0 and AI. By addressing past shortcomings, strengthening institutions like the METC and leveraging partnerships with the African Union, UNESCO and global platforms like the G20, which actually run an initiative on AI for Africa. So, this Government is laying the foundation for inclusive and sustainable progress. Our commitment is to position Mauritius as a leader in technology, ensuring AI and emerging innovations drive tangible benefits across all sectors of the economy. Thank you.

Hon. Second Member for Vieux Grand Port and Rose Belle. BOIS DES AMOURETTES – FOOTBALL GROUND – ONGOING RENOVATION – COMPLETION