Reply: It is worth recalling that in 2015 the then Minister of Financial Services, Good Governance and Institutional Reforms unveiled what the previous government described as the ambitious Heritage City project which in effect was but an eccentric and ego-centric project to house key government institutions including the Prime Minister’s Office and a new Parliament building, at an estimated cost of USD800 m., that is, Rs36 billion, as per the current conversion rate from USD to Mauritian Rupee.

122 The project became a subject of internecine squabbles over its feasibility, financial viability and environmental implications. What emerged was a growing belief that the project was not just mismanaged but potentially a well-thought-out scam. An amount of Rs39.7 m. was paid to the firm Stree Consulting for preliminary studies. In 2016, Cabinet decided to discontinue the Heritage City project amidst concerns over its high costs and potential risks. Notwithstanding the decision taken in 2016 not to go ahead with the overambitious Heritage City project, the previous government, in January 2024, agreed to the implementation of a new mega-project, the development of an Administrative City at Côte d’Or on land of an extent of about 18 arpents, which would comprise four Government Administrative Buildings and a new Parliament House. This project was included in the Public Sector Investment Programme 2024-2027 and was proposed to be implemented in phases at a total cost estimated at Rs8.5 billion, excluding the construction of the new Parliament House. In regard to the proposed new Parliament House, I am informed that the previous government had held preliminary discussions with the Government of India on the possibility of financial assistance being extended to the Government of Mauritius for that project. It was understood that the Indian architect firm HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd. would be approached for the conceptual design of the new Parliament House and working out the cost estimates. On 24 September 2024, Cabinet took the decision to set up a Project Monitoring Committee under the chair of the Prime Minister’s Office for that purpose. However, there has been no follow up since then. It is in this context that the project was included by the Indian side in the discussions that led to the adoption of the Mauritius-India Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the recent visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, on the understanding that the Government of India would provide grant assistance for the project. I wish to highlight that the projects identified under areas of collaboration with the Indian Government in the strategic partnership document, will be implemented on a priority basis. The proposed New Parliament House project will be discussed anew with the Indian authorities in due course. The whole concept, including the identification of a new site and the proposal to include a new building to house the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, may then be reviewed.

123 FSC/OECD REGIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – ACHIEVEMENTS – FUNDING & EXPENDITURE