Wholesale National Market for Fruits and Vegetables: a Consultant Appointed Soon

Operating conditions, not always conform to desired standards, in the courtyard of the markets for sale at auction of agricultural products in Port Louis, Vacoas and Centre de Flacq are about to undergo a facelift thanks to a project construction of a wholesale market nationally.

Meanwhile, problems such as inadequate infrastructure which constitute a real handicap to the smooth running of transactions especially during inclement weather, lack of storage facilities for fruits and vegetables that negatively affect the cost of products, poor hygiene and health and lack of parking at the origin of traffic jams will disappear.The three existing sites will be maintained in place.

The Cabinet has given the green light for the project. Preliminary work will be performed by a consultant who will be recruited shortly by tender. The consultant will, among other things, establish the feasibility of the project, indicating the area required for installation, proceed to the identification of suitable site, calculate the cost of the project and develop a legal framework to govern the mode of operation of the wholesale market National.

Once the consultant has given an indication of the cost of the project, the file will be submitted for consideration to Project Plan Committee (PPC) and the Department of Transport and Marine Affairs of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for National Development Unit.

The Project Plan Committee is a key tool in the system of government in terms of investment in the public sector.From fiscal year 2008/2009, the budget allocation is now done according to investment programs to be implemented according to a specific timetable. It requires departments to include in their service delivery plan, the principle research standards and the establishment of objectives in relation to the budget.

A 1998 study for the construction of such infrastructure was launched with the help of the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).

" It is time to review the mode of operation in this sector. The country is no longer possible to transact with one in the morning. It's safer. Our operating system is very archaic. It lacks basic facilities such as adequate parking, a system of storm drainage, appropriate spaces to store their products without compromising quality. If this marketing system can reduce the cost of operation, it will of course benefit consumers. The domestic market should not be built far from Port-Louis, " argues Isoop Soobadar, President of Market Traders Association.