Madam Speaker, as the hon. Member states in his question, in July 2025, the IMF raised its growth projections for the world economy from 2.8 percent to 3.0 percent for 2025 and from 3.0 percent to 3.1 percent for 2026. The IMF will release its updated forecasts, I believe, next Tuesday. As for the Mauritian economy, the IMF had, in April 2025, projected a real GDP growth rate of 3.0 percent for both 2025 and 2026. Following the Article IV Consultations, the IMF has, in its Staff Report released in June of this year, maintained the growth forecast for Mauritius for 2025 at 3.0 percent but upgraded the forecast for 2026 from 3.0 percent to 3.4 percent. Madam Speaker, according to figures released recently by Statistics Mauritius, the real GDP growth rate for Mauritius for 2025 is expected to be slightly higher that is, 3.1 percent. This growth is being driven mainly by the financial services sector and the tourism sector. In fact, we are expecting some 1,425,000 tourist arrivals this year – the first time that we will exceed the pre-pandemic level. Madam Speaker, as I have announced in the Budget Speech, we are doing away with the inherited consumption-driven approach and adopting a new economic model that will be investment-led, productivity-based and export-driven. This implies a fundamental restructuring of our economy that will be achieved over time. We are expecting a significant improvement in the outlook for the Mauritian economy, particularly for 2026 and beyond. This is mainly due to the following factors – (a) first, we are further diversifying the economy with the development of four keys, what we call “Pôles de Croissance”, namely the renewable energy sector, waste- to-wealth initiatives, the blue economy, and the creative industries; (b) second, we are in the process of finalising the different incentive schemes announced in the Budget Speech. These will give a significant boost to investment in various sectors of the economy; (c) third, we are unlocking some Rs30 billions of investments in the renewable energy sector over the next three years; (d) fourth, we are reviewing the role and functions of the Economic Development Board so that it focusses on boosting productive investments and export promotion across all sectors of the economy;

30 (e) fifth, the Ministry of Finance is currently working with different Ministries and institutions, including the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council, to give a boost to productivity growth across all sectors of the economy, and (f) sixth, the renewal of the AGOA for one year, following our intense diplomatic efforts and negotiations, provide a degree of certainty for our exporters to the US market. Madam Speaker, we are also harnessing the investment and export opportunities from our trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with India and the Free Trade Agreement with China. Furthermore, with the assistance that we just received from India under the Special Economic Package to the tune of USD 680 million which was secured, as I said during my recent visit, we will implement a number of priority projects in strategic sectors such as port development, road infrastructure, healthcare, and energy. With regard to inflation, the Bank of Mauritius is projecting an inflation rate of around 4 percent in 2025, which remains firmly anchored around the bank’s target range which is 2 to 5 percent. Latest information from Statistics Mauritius indicates that inflation will remain below 4 percent. Indeed, the CPI Index has decreased by 0.1 and 0.2 points in August and September, respectively. Madam Speaker, we have taken a number of measures to curb inflationary pressures and to protect the purchasing power of the population. These include – (i) raising the policy rate by 50 basis points to 4.5 percent per annum in February of this year; (ii) by increasing the supply of forex in the domestic foreign exchange market to prevent a rapid depreciation of the rupee; (iii) removal of VAT on a number of basic necessities as announced in the Budget Speech, and (iv) the establishment of a Price Stabilisation Fund of Rs10 billion, out of which, we are already providing subsidies on five essential commodities. We are working on a second set of essential commodities.

31 Madam Speaker, as a responsible Government, we are closely monitoring developments both domestically and on the international front. We will take appropriate measures in order to achieve our objective of a real GDP growth path of 4 to 5 percent by the end of our mandate while keeping inflation within the target range set by the Bank of Mauritius.

Yes!

Next question.

Next question, yes.

No, I have a supplementary.

Yes, supplementary.

May I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he will agree that the inflation rate of 4 percent as predicted will be exceeded because of the recent increases in the prices of commodities and also because of the VAT that is being imposed on SMEs? We have seen recently – the prices of dholl puri. If I may use that sentence again, dholl puri monte ho gal ba, Madam Speaker! An hon. Member: Met kestion do!

In fact, as I said, the Leader of Opposition has a short memory. Do you remember what the rate of inflation was when you were in government? We are clearing the mess that you left! At one point, it was nearly 10 percent! Now, we are bringing it down. And if you had listened, we are saying 4 percent, but the indication might be lesser. It will be slightly lesser than 4 percent.

Yes, hon. First Member for La Caverne and Phoenix! EASTERN HIGH SECURITY PRISON, MELROSE – 17 JULY 2025 INCIDENTS – NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REPORT