On the occasion of the Tamil New Year celebrations, Varusha Pirappu, organized yesterday at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Moka, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam delivered a speech focused on the economic consequences of the military conflict in the Middle East. On this occasion, he launched a call for increased national solidarity. In an international context marked by a fragile ceasefire, he warned of the inevitable repercussions of this crisis on the economy.
“Rich or poor, this war will have its impact,” he said, noting that several countries have already declared a state of economic emergency in the face of soaring prices and disruptions in supply chains. Mauritius, heavily dependent on imports, finds itself particularly exposed. “Tou zafer inn vinn pli ser. “Li andeor nou kontrol,” he warns, referring to the rising costs of maritime transport, insurance as well as essential products. The oil, gas and fertilizer sectors are particularly affected.
Faced with this situation, Navin Ramgoolam reaffirmed that “the country comes first”, ensuring that the government is committed to guaranteeing the supply of basic foodstuffs and supporting the most vulnerable. He also revealed that he was in discussions with India, with a view to concluding a government-to-government agreement to secure the importation of oil and gas from India.
“We can enter into a Government-To-Government Agreement to guarantee we gain oil and gas,” he points out, while expressing his gratitude to the Indian government. This agreement follows his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September last year.
The Prime Minister also indicated that he chairs a crisis committee responsible for evaluating the options available in order to best protect the population. Certain measures, although difficult, will be necessary, but will remain temporary, he assured. "We will have to protect our population as much as possible (...) Once the war is over, we hope to rectify the situation," he said.
Beyond economic considerations, Navin Ramgoolam launched a call for collective responsibility. “In difficult times, it is solidarity that makes it possible to minimize the impact of war. Each time our country has gone through trials, everyone has risen to the challenge,” he reiterated, emphasizing the importance of national unity in the face of adversity.
In a speech mixing economic realism and a call for social cohesion, the head of government urged Mauritians to demonstrate resilience and solidarity to overcome the challenges imposed by an international situation marked by uncertainties.
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