The Rodrigues Office of the Economic Development Board (EDB) was officially launched by Dr. the Hon. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development and Mr. Louis Serge Clair, G.C.S.K, Chief Commissioner, Rodrigues Regional Assembly in the presence of Mrs. Rose Marie Franchette Gaspard Pierre Louis, C.S.K, Commissioner for Industrial Development on 7^th December 2020. 

During the launching ceremony, the EDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) to foster the development of the key sectors which have been identified, namely ICT-BPO, Agro-Industry, Tourism, Fisheries and sustainable development.  This collaboration is also geared towards improving the business environment in Rodrigues whilst facilitating investment and trade with a view to bolster the development of the island. 

In his speech at the launch of the office, the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr. the Hon. Renganaden Padayachy reiterated that the development of Rodrigues remains high on Government’s agenda. He underlined that the EDB, RRA and stakeholders should work in close collaboration to ensure that development of Rodrigues is achieved while keeping in mind its specificities and maintaining its authenticity. He emphasized that Rodrigues is a role model and expressed the commitment and support of the Ministry of Finance to address key challenges such as maritime freight costs for imports. He further announced that adequate incentives will be put forward to encourage local production and allow the emergence of an ICT industry in Rodrigues.

Mr. Louis Serge CLAIR, G.C.S.K, Chief Commissioner for Rodrigues, on the other hand expressed his desire to see the youth playing a more prominent role in agriculture and crop production. He further noted that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) will play a greater role in the future in the development of Rodrigues.

In her address, Mrs. Rose Marie Franchette GASPARD-PIERRE LOUIS, C.S.K, Commissioner for Industrial Development for Rodrigues underlined on the efforts and work being undertaken by the RRA to support entrepreneurs.

To give a new impetus to food processing, an MoU between RRA and Fine Foods was also signed.   In addition, the RRA and Huawei signed an MOU for supporting the emergence of the ICT/BPO sector and for setting up a lab in Citron Donis. The event was also marked by the signature of an MoU between the Economic Development Board and the Rodrigues Business Park Development Company Limited (RBPDCL) with a view to promote investments in the ICT/ BPO sector  with the setting up of a business park which will be constructed at Baladirou.

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