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Media Release: Launching of the new World Bank Group office in Mauritius under the Bank of Mauritius Centre for International Cooperation initiative

23 September 2024
 

Inaugurated on 23 September 2024 by Dr the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, the launching ceremony of the new office in Port-Louis, Mauritius of the World Bank Group hosted by Mr Harvesh Seegolam, G.C.S.K., Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, saw the participation of Ms Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and Ms Cláudia Conceição, International Finance Cooperation Regional Director for Southern Africa.

Marking an important milestone of the long-standing cooperation between the Republic of Mauritius and the World Bank Group, the World Bank Group is the first international organisation to open an office under the Centre for International Cooperation initiative spearheaded by the Bank of Mauritius.

It is to be recalled that the setting up of the Centre for International Cooperation by the Bank of Mauritius was announced in the 2023-2024 Budget speech by Dr the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. The objective of the Centre for International Cooperation is to host international ad-hoc and permanent representations and projects.

Reacting to the launch of the new World Bank Office, Dr the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development stated: “The establishment of the new World Bank Group office bears testimony to the mutual trust and strong ties established over the decades between the entities of the World Bank Group and Mauritius. This project illustrates the commitment of Mauritius to further strengthen its collaboration with the World Bank Group as a trusted partner.

“We thank the Bank of Mauritius for granting this office space, which marks an important milestone for deepening the partnership between Mauritius and the World Bank Group,” said Sjamsu Rahardja, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Mauritius. “We are committed to supporting Mauritius in achieving high-income status by promoting inclusive and resilient growth.”

For his part, Mr Harvesh Seegolam, G.C.S.K., Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, said: “The Bank’s Centre for International Cooperation underpins our international strategy to foster greater cooperation with key partners. We welcome the World Bank Group’s decision to support our initiative. The setting up of this new office shows the confidence that international organisations have in the country’s image as a jurisdiction of substance.”