Xavier-Luc Duval

Xavier Luc Duval is the son of Sir Gaetan Duval, former leader of the opposition, later Deputy Prime Minister, leader of the PMSD and also founder of Parti Gaëtan Duval.

Xavier Luc Duval holds a degree in Economics from the University of Leeds in England. B.A. Hons. Econ University of Leeds, U.K and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, F.C.A. During his professional career, he was a founding partner of Coopers & Lybrand and Director Abacus Financial Services. He was previously a partner at Haskins and Sells Mauritius and a founder and managing director of The Financial Training Company Mauritius Limited and Halifax Management Limited.

In October 2000, he became senior partner at Nexia, Baker & Arenson, the Mauritian representative firm of Nexia International, a worldwide network of accountants and consultants employing some 12,000 professionals in 76 countries worldwide. He held this position at Nexia Mauritius until 2006.

Firstly elected as member of parliament in 1987, he was minister in 1995 in the government of Sir Anerood Jugnauth as Minister of Industry and Tourism, then became Minister of Industry, Commerce, Corporate Affairs & Financial Services in the Government led by the Mauritius Labour Party, between 1999 and 2000. He was then Minister of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications from 2005 to 2010, in the coalition again with the MLP and Minister of Social Integration from 2010 to 2011. He serves as Member of Parliament for constituency No 18, Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes since 2005.

As Minister of Tourism and External Communication, Xavier-Luc Duval contributed to boost the image de marque of the destination culminating in a record in growth of tourist arrivals and revenues in 2008. During his time in office he also introduced a New Tourism Act enhanced regulations and improving the business climate to boost the tourism sector.

In 2006 with the creation of the Festival International Kreol, Xavier-Luc Duval aimed at promoting creole culture through poetry, dance and music. The festival has become a yearly event, with participation of international creole artists such as Compagnie Creole, Zouk Machine, Images, Shaggy, to name a few and the best Mauritian groups (notably Sanedhip Bhimjee) as well as experts of creole language.

During his mandate at the Ministry of Tourism, tremendous work was done to upgrade a large number of sites, including touristic sites and residential areas, especially some places like Roche-Bois for a better integration on the train of development.

Xavier-Luc Duval was given the responsibility to launch the Ministry of Social Integration Economic Empowerment after the general elections of 2010. He created a new policy for social housing, launched a new program for the integration of the young children at grass root level, encouraged the empowerment of women and identifying new talents in vulnerable groups (through sports and arts), as economic empowerment gained a new impetus under his leadership.

When he was appointed Finance Minister in mid-2011, Duval did not lose sight of social integration. In his successive Budgets in 2012 2013 and 2014 huge support has been given to the vulnerable groups, especially in the fields of housing and education. Special schemes include the construction of concrete cum CIS houses in poor areas or abolition of fees for the purchase of land. Financial support is given to the needy children who attend school, day care centres are created in specific areas. Generally, all students of Form 4 and Form 5 are now entitled to own a tablet.

Fishermen involved in low scale fisheries are encouraged to enroll in aquaculture projects. They also benefit of VAT refund on their equipment and boats. This is also the case for small planters.

Hon. Duval has also been very active in promoting youth employment and measures He launched a Youth Employment Programme in 2013 which has already employed more than 5,000 youth. Support to SMEs is another aspect which he is very sensible to, especially with regards to access to finance. He has introduced a special scheme with the partnership of commercial banks.

More importantly, Hon. Duval has geared the economy safely with Mauritius maintaining sound economic fundamentals as the growth is, against all odds, at 3.2%, and inflation under control at 3.6% Unemployment rate is at 8.3%. Total investments for 2013 is totalling Rs 10 billion.

In his successive Budgets Hon. Duval has emphasised on the importance of technology. Various measures have been introduced to increase internet penetration and the use of technology at school, in entreprises, at home and in various public services. E-payment is now a reality at the Mauritius Revenue Authority, tablets and wifi have been introduced at school.

Hon. Duval's vision is to make Mauritius movie towards a higher wage economy. The country is already a renowned financial center of excellence and the Minister of Finance has spared no efforts to improve its legal framework. He has also given impetus to new sectors by introducing frameworks for the film industry and bunkering services.

But the trademark of Hon. Duval is undeniably his African policy and his continuous efforts to promote Mauritius as a gateway to the continent for investment, promotional activities, support to entreprises, networking and training.

He has launched the African Centre of Excellence in 2012 which provides information, encourages networking, and facilitates projects in Africa. 15 projects are already on going and 50 others are in the pipeline. The Mauritius Africa Fund has been launched this year to on stimulate Mauritian investment into Africa. The Export Guarantee Scheme, for export oriented enterprises to invest in Africa. As Minister of Finance, Duval has twice been voted as African Finance Minister of the Year by Africa Investor – 2012 and 2013 as well as African Finance Minister of the Year by African Leadership Magazine in 2012.

In 2013 he has been chosen as chairman Global Advisory Board by African Leadership Network. He also received the Distinguished Foreign Business Leadership Award by the Villanova Business School of the University of Villanova in Philadelphia, USA in 2012. In October 2013, he has been elevated to the rank of Commandeur de l'Ordre National de l'Etoile Equatoriale by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon. Africans are also encouraged to take advantage of what Mauritius has to offer with specific schemes for training. Above all, visa requirements have been waived for 50 out of 54 African countries which is a testimony of Mauritius' intention to play a major role as the perfect meeting point in Africa.

Hon. X. L. Duval is married to Marie Jennifer Duval and is father of three children; Stephanie Duval, Alexandre Duval and Adrien Duval.

Duval was appointed as Grand Commander of The Star & Key of the Indian Ocean on the labour day of 2008 by the President Sir Anerood Jugnauth and thus uses the Prefix Hon. and post nominal GCSK.

Grand Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean(G.C.S.K.), Republic of Mauritius – 2009

Commandeur de l'Ordre National de l'Etoile Equatoriale de la République Gabonaise – 2013

Distinguished Foreign Business Leadership Award by the Villanova Business School of the University of Villanova in Philadelphia, USA −2012

African Finance Minister of the Year by African Leadership Magazine −2012

African Finance Minister of the Year by Africa Investor −2012

African Finance Minister of the Year by Africa Investor −2013

Southern African Economic Development Champion Award by African Leadership Magazine – 2014

Special Commendation from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, USA – 2014

Chairman Global Advisory Board – African Leadership Network (since 2013)

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), (2000–2005)