Some people in the press have been asking me to provide some light on the first economic miracle. Now, as an economist and a development practitioner, I must confess that I have not been witness to economic transformations resulting from “miraculous” actions. They result from good economic and social policies, from decisive leadership (both political and economic), from efficient and effective institutions, and from a disciplined, hardworking and productive labour force. Therefore, the term second economic miracle belongs most likely to the realm of politics or social psychology than to economic development – just as we had the “second phase of industrialization” in the 1980s!
The PM himself in his Economic Mission Statement delivered on 22/8 clearly states that «There is no magic solution to addressing the issues of unemployment and poverty». In fact, in one sentence (“From misery we have built a modern nation, based on trust, hard work and sharing») he summed up the basic foundations for sustainable development: trust (or social capital to use the economic term) is needed at all levels, among the social classes, in the political class, in the institutions, and between the public and private sectors and civil society etc. First and foremost, there must be trust between the Cabinet and those responsible for implementing the policies, namely the Public Service (civil service plus parastatals). This does not mean that ministers need to employ their friends, relatives, and stooges. In our Westminsterian system (which the population fully endorsed in the last elections) the Public Service serves the government of the day and is totally colour blind. Only in presidential systems do we have politicians coming into office with an armada of personal appointees. Have we rejected one wannabe all-powerful president to inherit a Cabinet made up of 20 presidents?! If the PM manages to rebuild trust then I believe we will again be on our way to sustained growth. Reinstating the structured PPD (Public Private Dialogue), one of the cornerstones of past Mauritian economic success under his stewardship, is definitely a step in the right direction.
However, I beg to differ with the PM when he states that he has “relieved [the Public Service] from the Jurassic claws that held you immobile under the previous regime”. A culture of fear, dependence and sycophancy has developed over the last thirty years as a result of the amendment to the Constitution in 1982 which opened the way for the sacking of civil servants in the public interest. The testimonies of various public officers in the numerous scandals that have been uncovered show how they have been bullied into doing things which were against established procedures. In a normal situation, the officer should have been protected by the Secretary to Cabinet, the effective Head of the Civil Service – who by the way should not be a contractual officer. Therefore, repealing the 1982 amendment will go a long way toward effectively unleashing the creativity of public officers and re-establishing their dignity and authority.
I partly agree with the PM that “History is not written by prophets of gloom and doom {and miracle men}. It is written by achievers.” (Italics mine). However, any system needs both positive and negative feedback to develop. In that respect the PPD should be held in camera where the private sector should leave outside its mantle of political correctness to confront directly the government on the priorities of the day to make things happen. And the voice of civil society should not be ignored –it is unfortunate that the National Economic and Social Council has been disbanded.
The message received from the PM’s performance last Saturday is that the economy matters, that he is in charge of the wheel of the economic transformation vehicle and he has a clear vision where he wishes Mauritius to be by 2030. But the driver alone cannot get the vehicle moving: wheels, well-oiled engines, and petrol are needed. The economic take-off of Mauritius took place in the last century when sugar was still the major industry. Today the economy is more complex and more integrated in the international system. Implementation and follow up cannot be carried out by a Committee (however high-powered it may be). An institution has to be made responsible and accountable. In the 1980s the ministry of economic planning and development played the coordinating role for the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme. Without the proper institutions manned by the right competencies we will never go beyond the hype.
Nikhil Treebhoohun
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