Mauritius Diplomatic Missions Overseas, he will state – (a) the number thereof currently in operation, indic…
(No. B/685) Mr A. Duval (Fourth Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade whether, in regard to Mauritius Diplomatic Missions Overseas, he will state – (a) the number thereof currently in operation, indicating the names of the heads thereof, giving details as to the remunerations and allowances paid thereto, whether in cash or in kind; (b) the annual operation costs incurred in respect of each such mission over the past financial year, including rental charges and other staff-related expenses, and 64 (c) whether any reduction in the number thereof is being envisaged, and, if not, why not.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I am standing for the substantive Minister for Foreign Affairs on overseas mission. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Republic of Mauritius is represented world-wide through a network of nineteen diplomatic missions, one consulate general and one consulate. These overseas missions are an integral part of the Ministry and are headed by an Ambassador/High Commissioner or a Counsel. With regard to part (a) of the question, I am hereby tabling the information on the number of missions currently in operation with the names of the heads. There are currently three Ambassadors in post and the other missions are being headed by diplomats acting as Chargé d’affaire. With regard to details of the remuneration and allowances paid, they are governed by the PRB Report. With respect to part (b) of the question, I am tabling the annual operation cost incurred in respect of each mission over the past financial year including rental charges and other staff related expenses. With regard to part (c) of the question, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government does not envisage to have any reduction in the number of missions. With the current geopolitical situation, Government is focussing on enhancing its bilateral relations worldwide and use of our diplomatic missions to explore further trade, investment and investment opportunities, technology transfer and capacity building in line with our Government Programme and the parameters of our Budget. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, rather than reducing the number of missions, we are maximising efficiency, reducing unnecessary expenditure and making optimal use of resources.
May I ask the hon. Minister, although he is not the substantive Minister, but speaking of efficiency, whether a study has been made recently or is available with regards to certain minor embassies such as those in terms of activity, whether these embassies, these missions are efficient and whether their model of functioning should be
65 review? These are, amongst others, Berlin, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur and Maputo. So, is there such a study on the efficiency of those four embassies including maybe others as well?
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, size doesn’t mean that they are not efficient. In fact, they are delivering and delivering to the best of abilities to serve the interest of our nation.
The hon. Second Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien! MARE D’ALBERT, RÉSIDENCE HORTENSIA – UNOCCUPIED NHDC HOUSING UNITS – MAINTENANCE