I proceeded to the opening of the Workshop on the
Setting-up of a bio-based industry in Mauritius today. I wish a warm welcome to
the resource persons from the Centre of Excellence POLIMAT, from Austria and
from Germany. A special welcome to delegates from COMESA Secretariat in Zambia
and COMESA member states – I understand that delegates from Kenya, Malawi,
Uganda and Zimbabwe are present. I
commend the organizers, Prof Jhurry and his team and the international mentors
to have put up a most interesting Workshop programme that will bring together
stakeholders from the public and private sector, parastatals and the researcher
community. During this Workshop, the participants will be discussing on
current advancements in biopolymer research and its implications for industry,
public policy and international science and technology cooperation. I look forward to the Workshop recommendations to help
Mauritius pave the way forward. I can assure them all the support of my
Ministry to any project of National interest emerging from this workshop. I wish them fruitful discussions.