Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that since I took office in November 2024, I have initiated consultations with SMEs, SME Association and Federations in order to take stock of state of affairs of the business community in Mauritius. During these discussions, it became obvious to me that our local entrepreneurs were not aware of the vast potential and benefits accruing to them whenever they register their businesses whether as companies or individuals with my Ministry. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that any micro, small or medium enterprise registered with my Ministry is provided with an SME Registration Certificate free of charge. This certificate is valid for an initial period of five years and is renewable thereafter. Throughout its validity, the certificate unlocks various facilities and benefits for the SME which facilitates its operation and business development. For instance, registered SMEs can benefit from a four-year tax holiday, duty-free facilities on the acquisition of a double cabin utility vehicle, loans at concessionary rates from various banking and financial institutions, exemption from land conversion tax and expedited processing of building and land use permits amongst others. Furthermore, SME Mauritius Ltd, a government-owned private company, falling under the purview of my Ministry provides grants to SMEs under various schemes, namely –

77  the Business Transformation Scheme;  Technology and Innovation Scheme;  Market Readiness Scheme;  Greening Support Scheme, and  Agri Business Scheme. Madam Speaker, with a view to encouraging aspiring and new SMEs to take full advantage of these benefits and thereby work towards realising their growth potential, I took the decision to conduct Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes across the island on a regional basis. During these awareness programmes, my Ministry set up information booths and special desks with experienced officers to provide advice and guidance to attendees in order to enable those who are starting or who have just started operation to be equipped with the knowledge and resources regarding the process of setting up a new business and to obtain firsthand information about registration with my Ministry, so as to tap into the various benefits and grant schemes available. Madam Speaker, my Ministry organised the first entrepreneurship awareness programme in January 2025 for the region of Port Louis, comprising of constituencies 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the Dr. Idrice Goumany Municipal Centre, Plaine Verte, during which some 325 persons benefitted from the programme. The second entrepreneurship awareness programme was held in April 2025 in the north region, comprising of constituencies 5, 6 and 7 at Plaine des Papayes multipurpose hall and around 460 persons benefitted from the programme. A third awareness programme was held in June 2025, in the southern region comprising constituencies 11, 12, 13 and part of 14 at Kuushi Hall, Plaine Magnien, involving around 450 persons benefitting from the programme. And a fourth one was held in August 2025 for the central region comprising constituencies 18, 19, and 20 at the Salle des fêtes Plaza, Rose Hill where some 350 persons benefitted from the programme. Madam Speaker, with around 1,600 aspiring entrepreneurs having benefitted from the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes, these sensitisation campaigns are already bearing fruit and giving new impetus to the entrepreneurial culture in Mauritius. Madam Speaker, I wish to further inform the House that the next Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme will be conducted for the eastern region and in Rodrigues, and we expect that over 500 persons will benefit from the programmes. Thank you.

78

Thank you. No supplementary? ANNOUNCEMENT PQ B/992 – HON. QUIRIN – UNAUTHENTICATED TABLED DOCUMENT

Yes, hon. Members, give me one minute. I am coming back on the PQ B/992 from hon. Quirin. We received a document which hon. Quirin has kindly tabled. Unfortunately, I will not be able accept the document because it is just a list of items with estimated amounts in rupees not purporting to be any document having any connection with paragraph (c) of PQ B/992.

(Interruptions)

Just a flying document that is not authenticated. So, I am sorry, I cannot accept this document.

(Interruptions)

Mais, if you get a better document, I will accept, of course.

It is a genuine one!

Je n’ai pas compris.

It is a genuine one! I can assure you!

I do not want to be assured. It has to be authenticated.

I received it as it is.

So, we cannot do any better. Okay, these are the Standing Orders. Yes, hon. Lukeeram, please! HARRY LATOUR STADIUM – RENOVATION WORKS – UPDATE