Latest news with #islandnation
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Roger Morgan-Grenville
As an island nation, we ought to cherish our coastline. My 11,000-mile journey revealed that too often, we don't
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mauritius Plans Temporary Tax Hikes to Stabilize Public Finances
Mauritius will temporarily raise taxes on individuals and corporations and cut spending on some social programs to shore up revenue and stabilize public finances. The island nation known for having one of the most competitive tax jurisdictions in the world will introduce a so-called fair-share contribution on high-income earners and impose additional levies on profitable sectors for three years through June 2028. The new taxes will boost revenue on income and benefits by 31% in the coming year.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
More teachers may strike in Vanuatu
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The Vanuatu government's decision to appeal the Supreme Court's ruling on the legality of the nationwide teachers' strike is being welcomed by the country's teachers union. The Supreme Court [ quashed a Teaching Service Commission decision to suspend and terminate over 600 teachers] for participating in a strike in a judgement handed down on May 30. The court declared that the industrial action, which started on 6 June last year and recalled on 10 August 2024, remains lawful. Jonathan Yona, general secretary of the Vanuatu Teachers' Union, told RNZ Pacific the strike was initiated over a range of pay remuneration issues spanning 18 years. These included basic pay rates as well as remuneration entitlements for members who were principals, and deputy principals, or worked away from their home island or villages, he said. "The Supreme Court declared that the industrial action issued by the Vanuatu teachers union is lawful," Yona said. "The government decided to appeal the decision of the Supreme Court, and the Vanuatu Teachers' Union welcomes the appeal, and we submission, then we can respond and wait for the Appeal Court." More than 600 members have faced disciplinary action over the strike, which marks its one-year anniversary tomorrow. Yona said these members were from around Vanuatu and had not taught for the past year. Instead, they'd taken up other activities like gardening around their homes and villages to keep them busy. He also urged other members of the union to join their colleagues in solidarity. In total, the union had 2400 members, Yona said. "As we're speaking, many schools in town are closing. In the provinces, most of the schools are closing down. We're looking forward [to] next week, there will be more and more schools closing down while teachers will be getting paid because the action was legal and we wait for the appeal. "We are calling on all the members to come if the Vanuatu government can come down and sign the collective agreement, then the Vanuatu teachers' union will call off the industrial action." According to a statement from the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), the government will appeal the court's decision, as it believes the ruling could affect the future of the country's education system and workforce. The Minister of Education, Simil Johnson, and the deputy prime minister and Finance Minister, Johnny Koanapo, have met to discuss possible ways forward. They urged teachers whose names are not listed in the court judgement to refrain from joining on the VTU bandwagon. The government also assured that it remains steadfast in its commitment to settle all dues legally owed to teachers, and confirmed that all claims submitted have been verified as of 31 May, with payments being processed. The total amount paid so far is close to 2 billion vatu, which is a significant contrast to the 17 billion vatu and 20 billion vatu that was initially claimed at the start of the strike, said the government. The Government said it notes that a large majority of the claims could not be assessed due to lack of proper justification and/or documentation during the verification process.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mauritius charts bold new course as government targets investment, growth, and global appeal
With a new government at the helm, Mauritius is setting its sights on economic revival and sustainable growth. As the island nation gears up for the high-profile API Mauritius&Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum, industry experts are calling for bold reforms and streamlined investments. Mauritius is at a pivotal moment as the newly elected government embarks on a mission to stabilise the country's economy and chart a renewed path for sustainable growth. The government has three fiscal challenges: it spends more than it earns in trade, in its budget, and in payments with other countries. To fix these problems, the new Mauritian government aims to create new sources of economic growth and attract important investments from foreign players, especially in real estate. Mauritius' economic outlook and investment opportunities will be a central focus at the third instalment of the annual API Mauritius&Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum, which will take place on 26 June at the InterContinental Hotel in Mauritius. The forum is set to expand on its two previous successes and provide more insights about investment opportunities in Mauritius. The government's emphasis on infrastructure development, climate resilience, and supportive fiscal policies positions Mauritius as an increasingly attractive destination for international capital. Industry players highlight that Mauritius' new government has committed to a path of sustainable growth and transparency, which reinforces investor confidence. Kevin Teeroovengadum, board and advisor to various listed and non-listed companies in Mauritius and in Africa including South Africa, says the government faces the daunting task of stabilising the economy and averting a downgrade to junk status by credit rating agencies. 'Mauritius urgently needs a bold, forward-looking strategic plan — one that mirrors the ambition and clarity of vision seen in Dubai's transformation. The government must set clear targets, not only in terms of the number of foreigners it aims to attract but also the profile and quality of these individuals and, a focused strategy is essential to position Mauritius as a premier destination to live, work, and retire' says Teeroovengadum. As a board director and advisor with over 25 years of hands-on experience across the African continent, Teeroovengadum brings deep expertise in deal-making in sectors such as real estate, hospitality, telecoms, and others, which puts him in good stead regarding the drivers of investments. Mauritius boasts several unique advantages, including a stable political environment, a safe and appealing lifestyle, and a resilient tourism sector. However, experts stress that unlocking the island's full economic potential will require greater openness to foreign developers and institutional investors, especially in emerging asset classes such as green buildings, logistics hubs, and affordable housing. A clear regulatory framework, streamlined processes, and robust public-private collaboration are seen as essential to ensuring that development aligns with national priorities and delivers long-term value to the local economy. Wayne Godwin, CEO of JLL Africa, says Mauritius has hallmarks that are already beneficiary to its potential in the African continent. 'The ease of doing business, sophisticated local capital markets, and low taxation make Mauritius an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, but there are still barriers that can be removed, particularly around the sale of directly held real estate, which incurs higher transfer taxes and a lengthy approval process. 'As JLL, we expect to see more focus from international investors into Mauritius in the next few years, particularly from the Middle East and India, while the trend of Mauritian investors expanding into Africa will likely continue on a similar path,' says Godwin, who leads JLL's business in Africa that has exposure to some of the fastest-growing cities in the continent. Godwin also leads JLL's Hotels&Hospitality Group division in Africa, the largest and most successful hotel advisor and broker in Africa. This places him in the best position to opine about investment opportunities in Mauritius's hospitality and tourism industry at the upcoming API Mauritius&Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum. In the face of rising climate risks, financial innovation, and climate-resilient public-private partnerships are also taking center stage. The use of green building standards, real estate investment trusts, and green bonds is gaining momentum, with early issuances by EnVolt and Cim Finance demonstrating the potential to mobilise green capital at scale. EnVolt and Cim Finance have emerged as early leaders in the green finance movement in Mauritius, playing a pivotal role in mobilising capital for sustainable development and climate-resilient infrastructure. Recycling capital from mature assets into eco-certified, resilient developments is fast becoming essential for long-term value creation in coastal tourism and mixed-use projects. But beyond sustainability, there is a pressing need to ensure that development also delivers inclusive economic opportunity. 'Mauritius has a strong foundation in residential real estate and hospitality, but the time has come to evolve and diversify the development model. We must channel foreign investment into industries that create meaningful employment for our skilled, bilingual youth—sectors like advanced manufacturing, tech-enabled services, and sustainable construction. Real estate remains central to this vision, not as an end in itself, but as a platform to support innovation, green industry, and a more inclusive economy. The opportunity is to build an economy where young Mauritians can thrive at home—not feel compelled to leave in search of better prospects', says Bernard Forster, Managing Director, Elevante Consulting, part of the Elevante Group. Elevante is a leading independent real estate advisory and property services firm in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region, known for its deep market insight, strategic guidance, and regional transaction expertise across all asset classes. As Mauritius prepares to unveil its national budget in June, all eyes are on the government's roadmap for economic recovery and long-term growth. The coming months will be critical in shaping a more resilient, competitive and sustainable future – positioning the country as a global destination for investment, innovation, and climate-smart development. The 3rd annual API Mauritius&Indian Ocean's Property Investment Forum with the theme of 'A resilient new dawn' will take place on Thursday, 26 June 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel, Mauritius. Fror more information and to register visit Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events. Distributed by API Events.
RNZ News
01-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
World-First NZ study could help stamp out superbugs by mapping antimicrobial resistance hot spots
An illustration of the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping cough. Photo: 123RF A world-first study, led by the University of Canterbury, could help reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance, considered one of the greatest health threats facing humanity. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when pathogens like bacteria and fungi evolve to withstand antibiotics. The project, which is currently a grant proposal, is being led by Professor Jack Heinemann of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury's School of Biological Sciences. He said the research will map reservoirs of AMR across New Zealand to pinpoint areas of resistance, making it the first country in the world to know where its hot spots are located. It's hoped the university's research could be adopted and used by governments, private businesses, and communities internationally. "The reason it's a world first is because there aren't any countries yet on the scale that we are proposing to do this that have mapped their antimicrobial resistance so that they can apply a One Health approach to control the flow of antimicrobial resistance between the environment, agriculture and humans," he said. "We have an advantage in New Zealand because we're an island and it's possible for us to limit the number of variables that could complicate a study like this." "But at the same time, we're pretty big for such a study of this nature and that combined makes this a world first potential to tell us where resistance tends to accumulate, how to keep it there or eliminate it once we find it and work towards a world that doesn't just manage antimicrobial resistance but actually stamps it out." The University of Canterbury professor said that in the last century, antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have spread across the land, air and water in far greater numbers as the world's population, antibiotic use, and industrial pollution have grown. "The bacteria are now found everywhere, including places far removed from human activity like Antarctica and the bottom of the ocean," he said. "So much of our existence is dependent on antibiotics because they're used to control infectious diseases as they arise and to grow crops and livestock to the levels we need to produce food for so many people. It's reached a point where it is now an existential threat to our way of life and even to our species." "Even a small growth in the proportion of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can cost the global healthcare system tens to hundreds of billions of dollars." He said AMR was quickly becoming a massive challenge for the New Zealand health system and was being exacerbated by global events. "In New Zealand, AMR is growing. We've had times where hospital wards have been closed because of superbugs, which are resistant to antimicrobials. We're also frequently getting resistance in our agricultural areas. "Being an island, we control more variables than lots of other countries could control, and then the point of our study is to understand how we can track these sources of resistance. "The problem with antimicrobial resistance is that it is growing to the point where it can no longer be ignored, and it is in magnitude and cost and in threat to your health well in excess of other kinds of threats that we do talk about quite a lot. "Climate change, war, all these kinds of different pressures that we are under are further exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance as the weather changes. "It changes the kinds of organisms that carry these pathogens into our communities and into agriculture, it changes their survival characteristics, flooding, for example, distributes them sometimes directly into our homes," he said. A team of about six full-time staff, including two Māori researchers, three postdoctoral students and a graduate, will work alongside a network of volunteers and other organisations across the country that trap and kill pest animals to collect samples for testing. Bioinformaticians will develop algorithms, assisted by machine learning, to see potential concerns emerge in real-time. If successfully funded, the five-year project would cost less than $10 million, with research starting before the end of 2025. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
