Mauritian Government moves to implement Africa RISE recommendations

 

 

As noted in our last newsletter, Africa RISE recently completed a feasibility study into the establishment, operation and management of an end-of-life vehicle recycling facility in Mauritius. On 7 June, the budget announcement by the Minister of Finance set out a number of planned actions that are directly related to the findings of the feasibility study: 

  • Establishment of an additional site for disposal of waste oils, and construction and demolition waste; 
  • Development of a pilot composting unit and a sorting unit for the separation of dry and wet waste resources; 
  • Creation, on a PPP basis, of a scrapyard for vehicles declared total loss and beyond their economic life. 

A second project in Mauritius is still in progress. This assignment is examining the potential for investment in the development and production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals in Mauritius. The Africa RISE team has made proposals for a series of measures that could be taken by the Government of Mauritius to facilitate such investment. Many of these proposals are already being adopted by the government. The Ministry of Health and Wellness intends to introduce the Medical and Healthcare Products Bill, which will:  

  • facilitate the setting up of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants; 
  • set out the legal framework for the development of the pharmaceuticals, medical devices and health supplements industry;  
  • provide better control of health supplements and complementary medicines and medical devices as well as cosmetics;  
  • ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and distribution practice standards for products manufactured in Mauritius.  

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will also review the existing framework for licensing of laboratories and will issue guidelines for setting up of specialty test laboratories involved in subjects such as stem cells, genetics and specialized molecular test research. This is intended to advance the research and development agenda in the life sciences and biotechnology field.  

To align the clinical trials framework with international good practices to attract businesses to invest in Mauritius, the Clinical Trials Act will be revamped to align with international standards to expand the range and broaden the scope of activities for clinical trials. A framework will be developed for the establishment of healthcare spin-offs from university research to promote R&D into new healthcare products. The mandate of the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology will be broadened to cater for the production of pharmaceutical products, development of new medical devices, technology-based applications for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and research and development centres for testing. 

Further developments are anticipated once the Africa RISE study is completed.