The National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) of Mauritius is currently working on a National Productivity Masterplan to respond to the decline in productivity indicators in the country. According to the NPCC's executive director, Dr. Vinaye Ancharaz, the plan aims to establish a culture of productivity, citing the success of countries like Japan and Singapore. The masterplan is expected to serve as a roadmap to strengthen the country's competitiveness and improve economic performance.
Dr. Ancharaz announced the plan during a conference organized with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on September 29. The conference, titled "Introducing Foreign Models for Development on Japanese Experience and Cooperation in the Age of New Technology," was held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Réduit. The NPCC has been working with various stakeholders, including businesses, schools, ministries, and organizations, but these efforts have only yielded small-scale results.
The decline in productivity indicators has been a concern for several years, with a systematic decrease observed in labor productivity, capital productivity, and multifactorial productivity. Dr. Ancharaz noted that while the NPCC's current interventions have produced good results, they have not been reflected in national macroeconomic indicators or statistics. The new masterplan aims to adopt a more comprehensive approach, shifting from a "bottom-up" to a "top-down" strategy that operates at the national level and covers various sectors.
The National Productivity Masterplan is expected to transform mentalities and establish a culture of productivity in Mauritius. Dr. Ancharaz cited Japan and Singapore as examples of countries that have successfully made productivity a driver of economic development. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is not just to implement measures and policies but to change mindsets and promote a culture of productivity.
The NPCC's executive director also highlighted the need for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity. However, SMEs face challenges, including the fear of training employees who may later leave and a lack of information on suitable solutions. Dr. Ancharaz believes that the government should play a facilitator role to accelerate AI adoption in SMEs.
Dr. Ancharaz stressed that the impact of AI and other technologies on efficiency and productivity is crucial. He emphasized that the NPCC's efforts aim to address the gap between micro-level results and macroeconomic indicators. The masterplan is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for improving productivity and competitiveness in Mauritius.
The National Productivity Masterplan is a key initiative to address the decline in productivity indicators in Mauritius. The NPCC's efforts, in collaboration with JICA, aim to promote a culture of productivity and improve economic performance. The masterplan's success will depend on its implementation and the involvement of various stakeholders, including businesses, government agencies, and communities.
Key points
- The National Productivity and Competitiveness Council of Mauritius is developing a National Productivity Masterplan to address declining productivity indicators.
