the overseas missions undertaken by the staff of the Regional Centre of Excellence during the period January…
(No. B/378) Mr K. Rookny (Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet) asked the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning whether, in regard to the overseas missions undertaken by the staff of the Regional Centre of Excellence during the period January 2019 to December 2024, she will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Centre, information as to the number thereof, indicating in each case – (a) the costs incurred therefor (b) if same were undertaken jointly with other Ministries or designated delegates, and (c) table copy of the report on the outcomes thereof.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Financial Services Commission that during the period January 2019 to December 2024, six overseas missions, namely to France twice, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, and Isle of Man and UK were undertaken by the officers of the FSC Regional Centre of Excellence. Out of the six missions, five were undertaken by the head of the Regional Centre of Excellence, Mrs K.R.H. In one of the missions, in Isle of Man and UK, organised by the Small Countries Financial Management Centre, she was accompanied by the Senior Manager Human Resources of the FSC, Mrs S.P.B. This mission was funded by the organiser. In another mission to Brazil, she was accompanied by the analyst, Mrs Z.I. and one mission in France was attended by an analyst, Mrs N.S.
62 Madam Speaker, regarding part (a) of the question, the cost of the five missions amounted to Rs935,943. As for the mission to Isle of Man and UK, as I said, it was fully funded by the organiser. I am tabling a list of the overseas missions undertaken and the cost incurred for each of them. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the FSC that the missions were not jointly undertaken with other Ministries. As for my Ministry, according to records, no officers have attended those missions. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, a report on the outcome of those missions is being tabled.
Thank you, hon. Minister! Yes, Mr Rookny!
Could the Minister therefore confirm that the head of the RCE did not accompany the former Minister of Finance on any of these missions?
I will need to look into that. This is the information that I have so far and it does not say whether she accompanied the Minister of Finance. She has attended six overseas missions and all of them were either herself or with the persons I have mentioned. This is the information that I have been given by the FSC. Thank you.
You will let us know in due course. Yes?
Can the hon. Minister please inform the House whether the per diem of the head of the RCE was generously increased beyond the rates applicable to the FSC staff upon the special request of the former CEO of the FSC?
I do not have that specific information at this point in time but I will look for it, Madam Speaker.
Looks as if you will have to look for quite a lot from what I can see. Okay hon. Members. Are you happy, for the moment?
No!
You are not happy?
No!
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How can we make you happy? Honestly! Let’s wait for the Minister to come with more information in due course.
I will table that information, Madam Speaker.
Don’t be in a rush to be happy! Where are we now? Yes! Hon. Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac! RIVIERE DES ANGUILLES TRAFFIC CENTRE – PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION – SCOPE OF WORKS & PROJECT COST