The Honourable minister of Finance will soon be starting for a world tour in quest of the much needed FDI. Experts keep hammering that a considerable influx of FDI is one of the prerequisites for the country?s economic development. So, for three months, the minister will be Mauritius? chief offshore salesman. Let?s wish him good luck. Somewhere, Sithanen?s roadshow reminds us of late Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo?s pre-budget pilgrimage. In those days, the opposition triumphantly trumpeted that Nadess was again on the road with his begging bowl.

Rama may be quiet, such insulting comments will not be registered now, as both the two-member PMSD and its offshoot, the PMXD are part of the majority. We?ll certainly make allowance for some antics coming from weathercock Guimbeau. This self proclaimed defender of campement owners, in the same breath congratulates the minister for his budget, but blames the advisers. He regularly reiterates his respect and admiration for the Honourable Prime Minister, but openly criticises government policy. There?s no need calling Guimbeau to order. He is an example of the new breed of Mauritian politicians.

Before leaving, Sithanen would have introduced policies that would help him attract, lure and convince investors. For the population, that meant swallowing a very sour pill. We could not do otherwise, Sithanen and his colleagues forced it down our throat. New situations call for original remedies and a different mindset, says the minister of Finance to justify his harsh cuts in social benefits.

As usual taxpayers have consented to be sheared further. In the name of new mindset, the middleclass has foregone tax reliefs. No longer any allowance for housing loans and education costs. No longer any subsidy on basic commodities. Right, let?s go for the sacrifice.

However, it would seem that Sithanen?s call for self restraint and more efficiency has not been heard by his close colleagues. Governement is still stuck in old expensive practices whereby nugatory expenditure is galore. Let?s take an example directly related with the minister?s mission abroad. As an intelligent person, Sithanen knows fully well that a single meeting with the major players on the international economic scene is not enough to secure investment or aid. There is need for meticulous planning and follow up. To that effect, our embassies should have been manned adequately.

But alas, on that score there has been no change in government?s mindset. Our missions abroad have remained privileged places for cronies. Kinship and party allegiance are still the determining criteria for appointment in embassies.

Sithanen cannot reasonably expect positive determining inputs from our representatives abroad when career diplomats are requested to leave for the benefit of political appointees. At our mission in India, smile diplomacy replaces diplomatic knowhow, in Berlin family ties dictates the appointment, in Addis Abeba electoral support at constituency level is rewarded, in Paris we shall have two ambassadors, because a labourite should not be let down.

These diplomatic appointments surely shows government?s new mindset and is putting competence first, in order to ensure economic development. No matter, taxpayers, here sheepishly agree to have some more clipping. Government has its way!

JED