This week, the MCB secured a loan worth millions of dollars, there was news about a new metro line being planned, there have been worrisome reports of new dengue fever cases, and Mauritius and Réunion are strengthening their collaboration.
The tram will soon connect Réduit to St Pierre
A new metro line is soon going to be built, connecting Réduit to St-Pierre. This extension, called phase 4A of Metro Express, will cover a distance of 5.7 kilometers and is estimated to cost around Rs 9.8 billion. The construction work is scheduled to commence soon, and the project is expected to be completed by October 2024.
Larsen and Toubro Limited has been awarded the contract for this phase, and the government and EXIM Bank have given their approval. The project entails the construction of a railway line, the introduction of ten new streetcars, and the establishment of four stations: Telfair, Data Technology Park, Helvetia, and Saint Pierre.
Metro Express Limited (MEL) affirms that all necessary procedures have been followed in collaboration with the relevant authorities, in accordance with the agreement between the government and the Indian state. MEL anticipates that this extension will serve as a gateway to the eastern region, contributing to its economic and urban development.
Cases of dengue fever detected
Rodrigues Island has recently experienced an alarming increase in dengue fever cases, causing significant concern given the island's small size. Nicolas Volbert, the Health Commissioner, emphasizes the utmost importance of remaining vigilant in the face of this highly contagious disease, which can spread rapidly. To strengthen precautionary measures, a team from the Ministry of Health has been dispatched to Rodrigues to provide support to the local health authorities. Additionally, a meeting of the High Powered Committee has been scheduled to address the situation comprehensively. Nicolas Volbert urges the population to exercise heightened vigilance and take extra precautions, particularly by avoiding stagnant water, as it provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
MCB takes out a loan of Rs 23 billion
The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd (MCB) has successfully secured a three-year syndicated loan amounting to $500 million (equivalent to Rs 23 billion). This loan garnered significant attention from investors across the globe, with strong support from the GCC, Europe, the USA, and Asia. The commitments received for this loan exceeded one billion dollars. Notably, a total of twenty-five investors, including seven new lenders, participated in this transaction, highlighting the international appeal and reputation of the Mauritian bank.
Closer cooperation between Mauritius and La Réunion
Representatives from Mauritius and La Réunion recently came together to enhance their bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on strengthening security measures. The Mauritian delegation, consisting of senior officials from security and justice forces, engaged in discussions with their counterparts from La Réunion. Various topics were addressed during the meetings, including combating drug trafficking, money laundering, shipwrecks, environmental damage, illegal immigration, and terrorism.
Both parties agreed to implement measures such as increased information exchange and enhanced collaboration between maritime security agencies. Additionally, projects are underway to combat terrorism and illegal immigration, as well as to improve judicial cooperation between the two sister islands. These initiatives aim to bolster security efforts and ensure a more effective response to shared challenges.
