A Citizen’s Contribution to Budget 2026/27

By Dharamraj Deenoo

Mauritius stands at a decisive moment. The proposals aired in Hebdo on Sunday 3 May for the 2026/27 Budget rightly emphasize fiscal discipline, social equity, and climate resilience. As citizens, we must rise with constructive ideas that strengthen our nation’s sovereignty, sustainability, and collective dignity.

Fiscal Prudence & Public Debt

We propose the creation of a Mauritius Development Fund (MDF), inviting banks, insurers, leasing firms (Rogers Capital, CIM Finance), and large enterprises (MT, Emtel, IBL, among others) to form a financial consortium. This fund would support government debt reduction as part of their investment portfolios, offering fixed returns over agreed periods. In this way, the private sector becomes a partner in balancing the budget and safeguarding national stability.

Social Welfare & SME Development

Fiscal prudence must be matched with social justice. Welfare schemes should be consolidated for efficiency and fairness. At the same time, we propose the establishment of an SME Export Development Council to provide comprehensive support—export initiation, market identification, joint ventures, buyers-and-sellers meets, and trade finance. This council would empower SMEs and manufacturers to enter global markets, enhance competitiveness, and diversify Mauritius’s economic base.

Tourism Reform

Tourism remains a pillar of our economy. We propose the temporary suspension of the MTPA, reallocating its budget to AHRIM under government supervision. This ensures accountability of public funds while leveraging industry expertise to promote Mauritius more effectively.
Blue Economy Transformation

Mauritius’s vast ocean territory is our greatest asset. We propose:

• Fishing Fleet Modernization through bilateral leasing arrangements with Japan, India, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, empowering Mauritian fishermen with modern vessels for the development of the Mauritius Fishing Industry.
• Seafood Hatcheries to produce larvae of crabs, octopus, prawns, fish, and lobsters, replenishing marine stocks sustainably by the setting of multiple marine biotechnology lab.
• Seafood Processing Plants powered by renewable energy, dedicated to exports to inland Africa, Europe, and Asia. This positions Mauritius as a true seafood hub, adding value and creating jobs.

Water Security & Freshwater Aquaculture

Water resilience must accompany ocean stewardship. We propose:

• Solar-Powered Desalination Plants of 500,000 litres/day, strategically placed to supplement the CWA network, in collaboration with Laksh Solar Company limited in partnership with Anil Co. India. (project proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Public Utilities.
• Rivers Development Authority (creation) to oversee freshwater aquaculture—fish, prawns, and eels for export to Japan and China as well as flood mitigation with the allocation of at least 100 meters of rivers to unemployed youth for aquaculture with support from Albion Research centre. We shall provide the methodology when required .
• Small “Dingue-Style” Dams for water retention and fish farming, strengthening irrigation and climate resilience. 
  Conclusion

These proposals—fiscal prudence, welfare consolidation, SME empowerment, tourism reform, blue economy transformation, and water security—form a balanced roadmap for Budget 2026/27. They are visionary yet practical, rooted in sustainability and collective responsibility.

We stand ready to assist in the setting up of the systems and infrastructure required - together, we can - for the renewal of our nation in this difficult and uncertain environment prevailing in the middle East..