EU Signs Largest Aid
Deal With Mauritius
The
European Union has signed its largest aid deal with Mauritius,
saying the 127 million dollars package would bolster the
country’s economic and social reforms.
Alessandro Mariani, EU Ambassador to Mauritius, said: ’’The
aid programme, to be disbursed in 2010 and 2011 fiscal years,
aims at contributing to the sustainable economic development of
Mauritius by further supporting the 10-year economic and social
reform programme implemented since June 2006.’’
Officials in Port Louis forecasts that the almost 10
billion dollars economy, consistently one of the most prosperous
and stable in Africa, will grow by 4.3 per cent this year
compared with an estimated 2.8 per cent in 2009, largely
from its tourism and exports such as textiles and sugar.
The government introduced an economic stimulus plan at the end
of 2008 and analysts say the Indian Ocean Island has weathered
the global economic storm better than expected.
Mauritian Finance Minister, Ramakrishna Sithanen, said at the
signing ceremony on Thursday that the EU aid is conditional on
Mauritius meeting targets in sugar reform, governance,
macroeconomic stability and a long-term energy strategy.
He said the aid was meant to spur economic reform while
minimising environmental damage and broadening access to
education and training.
Famed for its white-sand beaches and luxury spas but fast
becoming an offshore financial hub, Mauritius has moved into the
top 20 global economies for ease of doing business, according to
the World Bank.
NAN/Yinka
