PM Ramgoolam bets Mauritius can manufacture advanced medical devices
Standing at the inauguration of Ava Technopole, PM Ramgoolam laid out a pitch: the island's next economy will run on precision manufacturing, not on cheap volume. The plant, which the AVA group and its subsidiary Natech Médical put up to make advanced medical devices for export, is his proof of concept.
PM Ramgoolam called it evidence that a small island can push its industrial frontier rather than accept decline, and the harder part starts now, turning one factory and a confident speech into an industry that competes in the most demanding markets abroad. The French ambassador attended.
A single ribbon cutting is not a sector; the test is the second factory, and the third.
Co-operatives get a Rs 300,000 lifeline and a tougher rulebook
Government is overhauling the co-operative sector on two fronts. Eligible societies can claim up to Rs 300,000 in production funding, while a new law against money laundering will tighten how those societies handle cash.
The pitch is modernisation: put money into genuine producers, and close loopholes that let a co-operative front for dirtier flows. Whether small societies can carry new compliance load is the open question.
Foreign reserves jump 18.8% to Rs 523 billion
Mauritius ended June sitting on Rs 523.1 billion in gross official reserves, about USD 11 billion, after an 18.8% rise over the year, enough to steady the rupee and cover many months of imports. A rare bright spot.
Finance Bill widens the traffic unit's powers
Tucked into the Finance Bill is an amendment to the Road Traffic Act that hands the TMRSU, the traffic management and road safety unit, broader powers to police the roads. It follows a run of road-rage cases, among them a mother who locked herself and her two children in the car as a driver bore down. Enforcement will decide the rest.
Shorts
Port-Louis theatre reopens after 18 years – The Théâtre de Port-Louis reopens by the end of August, 18 years after it went dark for restoration.
Suspect held in Terre-Rouge robbery of officer – Robbers targeted a police sergeant, 58, on the Route Royale at Le Hochet; the suspect is now in custody.
Copper thieves hit the Metro Express – Thieves stripped about 120 metres of copper cable from the network, the operator puts the damage at Rs 250,000.
A drier than usual winter is forecast – Forecasters expect rainfall below normal through September as a climate pattern strengthens.
Former banker alleges a harassment culture – A former executive told the Industrial Court that two senior figures fostered a harassment climate at her bank.
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