Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in regard to the question, I wish to inform the House that through the Government Programme 2025-2029, culture and the creative economy have been positioned as important drivers of national development, tourism and economic diversification. Measures announced include, inter alia – (a) the holding of the Assises des Arts et de la Culture; (b) the implementation of a heritage stewardship scheme to encourage public-private partnerships; (c) the modernisation and revitalisation of museums, heritage sites and cultural infrastructure; (d) the promotion of cultural tourism and locally made crafts, and (e) the setting up of the National Arts Open Commission. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Government has already moved beyond policy announcement and concrete actions have been initiated for the implementation of the above measures in collaboration with relevant stakeholders with certain initiatives already completed and others currently at an advanced stage. I am pleased to inform the House that the Assises des Arts et de la Culture has already been completed. The recommendations will feed into the preparation of the first comprehensive strategic plan for the arts and culture sector for the period 2026-2029 through the National Arts Open Commission currently being set up. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, concrete actions are also underway on other fronts. The heritage stewardship scheme announced in the Budget Speech 2025-2029 is being finalised by the Economic Development Board and my Ministry. The objective is to encourage greater private sector participation in the restoration, maintenance, management and promotion of heritage assets, including historical buildings, museums and cultural sites, while enhancing their tourism and economic potential. In parallel, under the cooperation agreement with the government of the French Republic, Business Mauritius and civil society partners, a team from Expertise France is working on the public-private partnership model for selected national heritage sites. Necessary consultations and technical exercises are currently underway. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are also working on the development of local economic development plans around major heritage sites so as to create greater economic opportunities for the local communities, artists and cultural entrepreneur. In parallel, my Ministry is equally working with the Human Resource Development Council and tertiary institutions to mount specialised training programmes for the creative sector. The objective is to bridge the gap between existing academic training and the practical realities on the ground, while better equipping artists, cultural entrepreneur and creative professionals with industry relevant skills. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is important to underline that the present Government inherited a sector which, for many years, lacked a coherent long-term vision and strategic direction. For nearly a decade prior to 2025, culture, heritage and the creative economy were unfortunately not positioned as national economic priorities despite their immense potential for tourism, employment creation and national identity building. While certain initiatives were undertaken during that period, these were often fragmented and implemented without an integrated national strategy or measurable development objectives. Critical areas such as the modernisation of museums, the structured development of heritage sites and the valorisation of local artisan did not receive the sustained attention they deserve.

Do you have a supplementary question, hon. Seeburn?

Yes. Given that the hon. Minister has stated that the Assises on the Arts et de la Culture have been earmarked in our Government Programme, can the hon. Minister state whether there is a timeline as to when this will be implemented?

I have already replied that it is already completed and now it will be sent to the National Open Arts Commission.

The hon. Third member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or! AFRICAN UNION – MEMBER COUNTRIES – EXPORT MARKETS DIVERSIFICATION – TRADE MISSIONS OUTCOMES