While the budget is sometimes considered as too liberal, the empowerment programme is seen as one of the most important aspects of the government’s social policy. With the sum of Rs 5 billion earmarked for the next five years, the empowerment programme has the means to achieve its goals, which are eliminating poverty while democratising the economy.

However, members of the steering committee in charge of the implementation of the programme have made it clear that the programme is aimed at helping those who help themselves. Studies aimed at placing unemployed people are ongoing. It has already shown that 1,300 posts are available in the building sector. Other such studies will follow in the hotel industry and information and communication technologies (ICT). The programme plans to offer employment to those who already have skills while others will be given the opportunity to go on an internship in appropriate companies.

The steering committee is also very satisfied with the enthusiasm about creating new businesses. “We have registered 200 applications for funding of projects,” declared the chairman of the committee, Jean-Claude de l’Estrac. As the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is seen as a way of reducing poverty and unemployment, the programme will give its full support to such initiatives.

The committee also wants to make sure the SMEs will take advantage of the tourist clientele in the country. With this in mind, it will create tourist villages in Wolmar, at le Morne, in Grand-Bay and in Belle-Mare to help them market their products.