The Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB) in collaboration with the Regional Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence (RMCE) and Africa RISE welcomed a delegation from the Economic Development Board Madagascar (EDBM) from 28 to 30 June 2023. The EDBM embarked on reforms regarding the digitalization of their services with a view to enhance the doing business climate in Madagascar. This 3-day peer-to-peer learning event served as an opportunity for the delegation to understand the prerequisites for digitalization as well as to learn from the Mauritian experience.
Mr. Tojo Ramamonjisoa, Director of Reforms and Private Sector Development led a 10-member delegation from the EDBM for the study tour to Mauritius. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Ken Poonoosamy, Chief Executive Officer of EDB Mauritius, who emphasised on the importance of conducting exchange programmes between Investment Promotion Agencies in view of reinforcing partnerships and peer-to-peer learning in the context of the South-South cooperation. Mr. Poonoosamy also elaborated on the doing business reforms and the automation of all business-related licences under the National Electronic Licensing platform.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Reforms and Private Sector Development, Mr.Tojo Ramamonjisoa stated that the Economic Development Board of Madagascar began digitizing its one-stop-shop a few years ago to improve the quality of services provided to its users. These projects were supported by the World Bank (PRODIGY project) and the European Union (PRECI project) respectively. The EDBM plans to further extend digitalization to other services such as the issuance of work permits, the issuance of Free Zones licenses, among others. To that end, the peer learning mission will significantly assist EDBM to better plan and execute upcoming initiatives.
It is noteworthy that EDB Madagascar met with various stakeholders in the ICT sector to learn from the existing IT systems and participated in a regional webinar with other countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar where all shared their respective experiences in the areas of digitalization.
This initiative is aligned with the EDB’s Africa Centre of Excellence which aims at harnessing all efforts to cement further institutional and corporate ties within Africa.
