Madam Speaker, first of all, let me clarify that official foreign direct investment statistics are compiled and published by the Bank of Mauritius. With regard to part (a) of the question, I am tabling data on gross foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in Mauritius from 2023 to 2025, by sector and by country of origin. Madam Speaker, FDI inflows fell from Rs37 billion in 2023 to Rs33 billion in 2024 before rebounding to a record high of Rs48 billion in 2025. While the real estate sector remained the primary recipient of FDI inflows, foreign investment in the financial services sector rose markedly from Rs974 million in 2024 to Rs18.7 billion in 2025, that is, the financial services sector. This was due to a significant investment in AfrAsia Bank by the Access Bank UK. Notwithstanding this increase, higher FDI inflows were also recorded in the following sectors – (a) Information and Communication sector, from Rs192 million in 2024 to Rs985 million in 2025; (b) the Energy sector, from Rs352 million to Rs1 billion in 2025, and (c) the Agricultural sector, from Rs507 million to Rs807 million. Clearly, FDI inflows are increasing. With regard to the country of origin of the FDI inflows, France and South Africa have consistently been the main source countries, amounting on an average to 22 percent and 10 percent of total inflows, respectively, for the last three years. Other major source countries were – (a) the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates in 2023; (b) Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany in 2024, and (c) Germany and the United States in 2025. It is worth noting, Madam Speaker, that there was a significant increase in investment from the United Kingdom in 2025, largely driven by the investment in the local banking sector. Madam Speaker, while encouraging growth has been recorded in investment flows to certain productive sectors in 2025, there is still need to further scale up such investments with a stronger focus on delivering capital towards productive and high-value-added activities. As announced in the 2025-2026 Budget Speech, our new economic model will be investment-led, productivity-based and export-driven. Our investment strategy and policy measures are, therefore, geared towards attracting more FDI inflows into productive and emerging sectors. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Economic Development Board that several measures have been implemented to attract greater FDI flows into existing as well as emerging sectors. These include – (a) strengthening the Mauritius brand through more targeted, data-driven international marketing and investor outreach, aimed at enhancing the country’s visibility, improving investor confidence, and attracting higher-quality and diversified FDI; (b) enhancing the ease of doing business by addressing the weaknesses identified in the World Bank B-Ready Report with a view to improving the overall investment climate and regulatory efficiency; (c) widening and deepening market access by leveraging economic and trade cooperation agreements, and (d) revamping the rules-based work permit system to facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers and skilled professionals. Madam Speaker, with a view to mitigating the negative impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle-East on our economy, we are also implementing a number of measures to boost investment, such as, and I mentioned it before – (a) the introduction of a Golden Visa Scheme to attract investors and high-net-worth individuals to immediately relocate to Mauritius; (b) the establishment of a Fast-Track Concierge Service within the Economic Development Board to facilitate and accelerate the process for incoming high-net- worth individuals, and (c) the acceleration of the relocation of service providers in the Financial Services Sector through fast-track licensing by the regulatory bodies in Mauritius with no compromise on due diligence. Madam Speaker, over and above these measures, we are taking new initiatives to further boost FDI inflows in the economy. We are developing a Special Economic Zone at Côte d’Or to attract global technology firms to, amongst others, establish AI, data, and disaster recovery centres, thereby positioning Mauritius as an exporter of AI services. We will also further develop and modernise our port infrastructure through the setting up of an Island Container Terminal to reposition Mauritius as a leading transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean region. Government is firmly determined to attract greater foreign direct investment into productive and emerging sectors, as I just said, as a key driver of economic transformation. This commitment is focused on fostering diversification, enhancing value addition, and generating sustainable employment. Through continued reforms and strategic investment promotion, our goal is to build a more resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking economy for the benefit of the whole country.

Thank you. Yes. I have been asked not to forget to let you know that PQs B/748 and B/778 will be replied by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister, time permitting, which I very much doubt you will be able to do. So, we carry on? Next question! Hon. Ms Savabaddy! Yes! PRISON/POLICE CUSTODY – DEATH CASES – FOUL PLAY & INQUIRIES