Island Aims to Become Fastest Internet Provider in African Region

“This means many people are missing out on the future of technology. This is why the government has decided to bring down the price of basic broadband internet to Rs 200 per month from January. The tender has already been launched,” he said.

The minister was giving his summing-up speech on the budgetary debates for Budget 2013.

The Opposition unanimously chose not to attend this exercise.

Duval stated Budget 2013; worth Rs 105 billion has been a major deception for the Opposition since they were expecting one of austerity.

 “Our 2.5 % budget deficit this year is envied by the whole world. Unemployment is under control at 8 % and inflation is forecast at 4.1 % at the end of December. The offshore sector will experience a growth of 12.4 % this year; Information and Communication Technology by 9 %; tourism is stable. Sugar sector will go down by 7 % while the construction sector is expected to undergo a slight fall as well,” said the minister.

Foreign Investment will reach Rs 9.5 billion this year in spite the economic problems, said Duval. “The revenue of the Ministry of Finance has gone up by 10 % this year and we are expecting 4 % growth in the last quarter of 2012. This would not have been possible if we were really in a bad situation as Opposition would have us believe,” he said.