08 March 2014

Illicit Financial Flows: Mauritius a model to replicate says Mr Thabo Mbeki

The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, had a working session yesterday evening at Clarisse House, Vacoas, with the former President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki. The working session focused on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed his pleasure in receiving Mr Mbeki and said that all has been put at the disposal of the visiting delegation to address this continental problem. He added that he is glad to hear from Mr Mbeki that the system put in place in Mauritius regarding illicit financial flows is an example to be replicated in Africa.

Mr Mbeki pointed out one of the main objectives of his visit with his panel is to examine and assess the practical experience of Mauritius together with the laws that exist to tackle the problem of illicit financial flows. He added that the Mauritian model is not only an example to replicate on the continent but it has also provided many answers to a lot of questions regarding this issue.

The institutional architecture along with the legal structure that Mauritius has put in place to address the issue of illicit financial flow and its experience in doing so is what we have come to collect said Mr Thabo Mbeki. He also thanked Prime Minister Ramgoolam for his cooperation and hospitality.

A ten-member high-level panel chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki leads research by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) into illicit financial flows, assisted by ECA Executive Secretary Carlos Lopes as the vice-chair. Other members of the panel include Professor Baker and Ambassador Segun Apata of Nigeria. The ECA blames illicit outflows for reducing Africa’s tax revenues, undermining trade and investment and worsening poverty. Its report will be released in March 2014.

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