[Council of Ministers] Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development, and New Economic Measures on the Agenda

The Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, convened on Friday, October 24, 2025. Several decisions of national and regional importance were approved, covering areas from food security to energy policy, alongside international cooperation and public infrastructure.

Diplomacy: Prime Minister Expected in Seychelles

The head of government will travel to Seychelles on Saturday, October 25, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the elected president, Dr. Patrick Herminie, the following day at the invitation of the Seychellois government.

Sovereignty over Chagos: New Legislative Step

The Cabinet has given the green light for the introduction of the Criminal Code (Amendment No. 2) Bill to the National Assembly. This bill aims to repeal Article 76B of the Penal Code, which has become obsolete since the signing of the treaty between Mauritius and the United Kingdom in May 2025, unambiguously recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago.

Food Security: Strict Measures Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

In response to the threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) detected in several regions of South Africa, the Ministry of Agro-Industry has decided to implement a rigorous health protocol. From now on, all imported livestock will need to undergo comprehensive virological tests (ELISA 100% and SPC 10%), as well as a mandatory 14-day quarantine in South Africa, followed by a second quarantine in Mauritius.

Île aux Bénitiers: Towards Sustainable Tourism Development

The Cabinet has approved the Master Plan for the recreational area of Île aux Bénitiers, a flagship project combining eco-tourism and biodiversity preservation. The plan includes the creation of sustainable facilities—walking paths, off-grid solar power, rainwater harvesting, waste management, video surveillance, and electronic ticketing—to regulate visitor access to the islet. The main embarkation site will be located at La Gaulette, ensuring the safety and comfort of visitors. The project will be implemented in phases, with the participation of the Tourism Authority, the Rivière-Noire District Council, and the private sector through public-private partnerships.

Renewable Energy: A Floating Solar Project at Tamarind Falls

In terms of renewable energy, Mauritius is taking a new step with the implementation of a 17.5 MW floating solar project at Tamarind Falls, in collaboration with the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (India). The project also includes a 12 MW energy storage system (BESS), allowing for stable power supply during peak hours. It is estimated that the plant will generate approximately 36 GWh of electricity annually, covering a significant portion of the energy needs of the central plateau.

Preschool Education: Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Grant-in-Aid Scheme

The government is responding to concerns raised by stakeholders in the pre-primary sector following the announcement of a new Grant-in-Aid Scheme in the 2025-2026 Budget. An inter-ministerial commission, chaired by the Minister of Education, will be tasked with examining the implementation of the program, involving several key ministries, including those of Infrastructure, Social Security, Labor, Family, and Higher Education.

Informal Trade: Regulation of Hawkers During the Festive Period

Another inter-ministerial commission will be established to regulate hawker activities during the festive period, chaired by the Minister of Housing and Land, with the participation of several relevant ministries.

Metro Express: Suspension of Sunday Operations on Line 2

Due to very low ridership on Sundays and financial constraints faced by Metro Express Ltd, the government has decided to suspend services on the Rose-Hill – Réduit line starting November 2, 2025.

Cybersecurity: Cooperation with India

A specialized team from the Maharashtra Cyber Department will be in Mauritius from October 30 to November 4. Workshops will be organized on emerging threats in cybercrime, strengthening institutional capacities, and public-private cooperation.

Diplomacy and International Cooperation

The Cabinet has approved the ratification of the Samoa Partnership Agreement, signed between ACP countries and the European Union. This agreement aims to strengthen economic and political relations while integrating issues of climate change and sustainable development.

Regionally, Mauritius has secured a reduction in its financial contribution to the SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from USD 15.4 million to USD 7.6 million, following a recalculation conducted under the Mauritian presidency of the SADC finance sub-committee.

Commitment to Gender Equality

At the Global Summit of Women in Beijing, the Minister for Gender Equality reaffirmed Mauritius' commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Sustainable Development Goal No. 5. She highlighted progress made in education parity, women's leadership, and female entrepreneurship while underscoring ongoing challenges related to underrepresentation in scientific fields (STEM) and the gender pay gap.

COMESA: Digitization at the Heart of Regional Development

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs represented Mauritius at the 24th COMESA Summit in Nairobi, focused on digitization and inclusive growth. Bilateral talks were also held with officials from Comoros, Tunisia, and Kenya.