La ministre du Commerce a répondu au député de Beau Bassin /Petite Riviere sur les voyages du Directeur de la State Trading Corporation.
The Honourable First Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Riviere (Mr. Bhagwan)
To ask the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection –
Whether, in regard to Mr. R.S., General Manager of State Trading Corporation, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Corporation, information as to the number of overseas mission effected, indicating in each case the (a) country visited and purpose thereof (b) amount of money spent in terms of airfares and per diem allowances?
Mr. Speaker, Sir,
I am informed that since his assumption of duty in 2021, the General Manager of the State Trading Corporation has undertaken five (5) overseas mission, as follows:(1) The first mission was at the Dubai Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates from 19 to 24 February 2022. The purpose of the mission was to participate in the Freeport and Logistic event with a view to discovering opportunities for joint ventures and new avenues for cooperation with various countries. The mission costs amounted to Rs 113,636 while the allowances of USD 3,057, equivalent to Rs 134, 263.44, were paid, including per diem.
The GM participated for four days, while the mission period for the delegation was eight days.
(2) The second mission, from 11 to 17 August 2022, was at the Islamic Republic of Iran. The purpose of the mission was to develop strategic business axes of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran and to explore potential and new avenues of cooperation with Iranian authorities and private stakeholders in terms of bilateral relations, economy, trade, investment and tourism. The mission costs amounted to Rs 216,553 and the allowance was USD 2,330, equivalent to Rs 104,850, including per diem.
Here again, the initial period of the mission was for a duration of 12 days, but once again the GM shortened his stay.
(3) The third mission was in India from 14 to 18 September 2022, where the GM had to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the STC and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and explore the possibilities of procuring pulses, rice and other agricultural products from India. The mission costs amounted to Rs 104,111 and the allowance was USD 1,608 equivalent to Rs 72,022.32.
(4) The fourth mission from 13 to 15 March 2023, in New Delhi, India, was in the context of the CII Partnership Summit 2023. The purpose of the mission was to further the agenda of strengthening partnerships and shaping new economic collaborations between countries and among businesses. The mission costs amounted to USD 3,193, equivalent, to Rs 147,835.90 and the allowance was USD 1,405, equivalent to Rs 66,519 including per diem.
(5) The fifth mission from 19 to 28 August 2023 was also in India. The purpose of the mission, which was in the context of the ban by the Government of India on the exportation of Long Grain White Rice, was to negotiate for the supply of Long Grain White Rice. The mission costs amounted to Rs 62,221 and the allowance was USD 4,288, equivalent to Rs 198,577.28.
Mr. Speaker, Sir,
I am informed that all the allowances and per diem paid to Mr. R. S. are in line with the provisions of Circular No. 10 of 2017 of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development and that the former has, to the extent possible, shortened the duration of each and every mission which he has attended.
