Speech of Honourable Dr Rajeshwar
Jeetah, Minister of Industry,
Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce and
Cooperatives on the
occasion of the WORLD STANDARDS DAY 2006
Miss Varuna Bunwaree, Chairperson,
Standards Council
Mrs. R. Nanhuck, Acting Director,
Distinguished
guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. It gives me much pleasure to address you
this morning on the occasion of the half day seminar being organised by the
Mauritius Standards Bureau to mark the World Standards Day 2006. In fact, I should say that I am doubly
pleased as the theme this year is Standards: ‘Big Benefits for Small
Businesses’ and we all know the emphasis that Government is placing on small
businesses.
2. As you are aware, the Mauritian economy is
faced with three main constraints.
First, the soaring prices of petroleum products on the world market. Second, the programmed cut in the price of
sugar by 36% in four years under the European reform strategy of the sugar
sector. Third, the dismantling
of the Multi-Fibre Agreement.
Accordingly,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
3. Quality and standards are not empty slogans
but prerequisites for market penetration.
In today’s globalised market, entrepreneurs
and businesses should in their strategies incorporate the concept of quality
and standards with respect to goods and services. This strategy should prevail irrespective of
whether they are meant for the local, regional or global market. Compliance with environmental standards also
goes along this line when it comes to production processes.
4. The world business environment is fast
changing. The globalisation process is
nothing less than global competition. With
the opening up of markets, the phasing out of tariff and non-tariff barriers,
enterprises would have to compete globally without any safety net to capture
their share of business by ensuring compliance with standards, technical
regulations and conformity assessment procedures.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
5. In this context, the Mauritius Standards
Bureau has a crucial responsibility in the development of our economy by
fulfilling the functions of standardization and conformity assessment. Thus, the
various certification schemes such as management systems and product
certification schemes as well as its testing facilities provide an invaluable
tool for ensuring compliance of goods and services. It will be incumbent on all enterprises to
reckon with quality and standards to stay in business or to increase their
share of the market. These are the challenges now facing businesses and
enterprises in
6. In order to make the MSB more responsive
to the evolving needs of the entrepreneurs, we are reviewing the current role
and functions of the MSB. A new
organisational structure is being worked out to respond to the new
challenges. Moreover, the different
technical laboratories of MSB will be accredited with MAURITAS.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
7. The importance of Small and Medium
Enterprises in national economies is acknowledged worldwide. SMEs not only provide the impetus to the
world economy but they also contribute heavily to achieving social goals such
as employment creation, poverty alleviation, price stability and economies
democratisation. In more developed
economies such as
8. Government is fully committed to the
development of SMEs. In line with its vision to create a nation of creative and
innovative entrepreneurs, Government is providing an integrated package of
measures:
First, Outreach Programme – decentralisation of business counselling
services to Rose Belle, Flacq and Goodlands.
Second, SME registration – streamlining of registration procedures:
certificates now issued within two/three days.
Third, Caravane de l’Entrepreneuriat
– Regions covered so far Panchavati, St.Hilaire/St.Hubert, Valle Pitot
and
Fifth, New Schemes for SMEs – Support to Start-ups
Scheme and Support to High Potential Entrepreneurs.
Sixth, Industrial estates for SMEs.- Immediate
construction of three low costs industrial estates.
Seventh, Investment facilitation – Abolition of all
permits and clearances for starting businesses. Now SMEs can start within three days.
Eighth, Empowerment Programme – Total project value of
5 billion over 5 years. It
will also cover training and skilling.
Ninth, Access to Equity Finance - Provision of equity of Rs 300,000 to Rs 3 million to
SMEs.
Tenth, Access to Market – Organisation of SMEs fair,
establishment of Mauritius Trading Houses in COMESA and SADC region, tourist
villages in strategic locations.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
9. While saying so, I want to bring home one
main argument – Mauritian enterprises small, medium or big – would have – sooner
or later – to reckon with the realities of the new world economic order. Only products meeting international quality
and standards would be able to capture markets. The rules promulgated by the WTO, as you
know, lay more and more emphasis on technical requirements such as technical
regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures. In this context, I appeal to all Mauritian
enterprises to reckon with the exigencies of the new market place. In this regard, MSB must act as a proactive
facilitator.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
10. In a very near future my Ministry will come
up with a number of regulations for controlling the quality of imported
electrical accessories and appliances so as to ensure the safety of everyone in
the country.
11. It is a mistaken belief that standardization
only benefits big businesses.
International Standards facilitate economic development and the
dissemination of technologies that empower small businesses as much as their
larger counterparts. I wish to urge the business community to take
advantage of the value added benefit of standards and to make use of the various services
offered by the Mauritius Standards Bureau to position their businesses in the
world market.
12. I thank you for your attention and wish all
the participants fruitful deliberations.
13. I have now the pleasure to declare the
seminar open.