Reply: I am informed by the Economic Development Board that the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS) is a central digital platform, developed with the support of the European Union, and is operational since 2018. The system streamlines and digitises the processing of licences, permits, and clearances issued across various public sector agencies. It aims to improve ease of doing business by reducing processing times, enhancing transparency, promoting inter-agency collaboration, and providing a single access point for applicants. In addition, the platform also facilitates online payments within permit workflows and provides data to support evidence-based policy decisions. However, since its inception in 2018, only 24 services are operational. Since this Government took office, I requested the EDB to perform a review exercise of the NELS strategy, technology, human resource requirements and financing for the next 10 years that would allow the NELS platform to be ‘Fit for Future’. The EDB has now finalised a 10-year Blueprint for the NELS platform covering the period 2025-2035 as well as a 5-year Implementation Action Plan. As per the Plan, the total number of services should reach 32 by end of this year. These new services that will be hosted on the platform include, among others, – (i) the rule-based work permit system to expedite the recruitment of foreign labour and skills; (ii) the residence permit; (iii) the registration of real estate agents, and (iv) the shipping registration. Furthermore, we want to increase the number of services to 40 by end of 2027. In addition, the EDB is working at modernising the platform with the application of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate the digitalisation of additional permits and licences. The NELS will play a major role in the new economic model, which is driven by investment rather than consumption. We will see to it that the EDB accelerates its development. CHAGOS AGREEMENT– BIOT JUDGMENT CONSEQUENCES