Section 7: The Board

7. The Board (1) The Authority shall be administered by a Board which shall be known as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Board. (2) The Board shall consist of— (a) a Chairperson, to be appointed by the Minister; (b) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of SMEs; (c) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of finance; (d) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of industry; (e) the Managing Director of the Board of Investment or his representative; (f) the chief executive officer of the SME Bank or his representative; (g) a representative of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and [Issue 9] S19 – 6 Revised Laws of Mauritius (h) 4 representatives of SMEs; (i) – (l) — (2A) The members referred to in subsection (2) (g) and (h) shall be appointed by the Minister. (3) Subject to subsection (5), a member, other than an ex officio member, shall hold office for not more than 3 years but shall be eligible for reappointment. (4) No person shall be qualified to be a member where he is— (a) a member of the Assembly or of a local authority; or (b) otherwise actively engaged in politics. (5) A member shall cease to hold office— (a) on completion of his term of office; (b) on his resignation; (c) where he becomes a member of the Assembly or a local authority, or is otherwise actively engaged in politics; (d) where he, without sufficient cause, fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of the Board. (6) For the purpose of subsections (4) and (5), a person who— (a) is a candidate, an agent or official representative of a candidate at an election; or (b) is an officer or a member of a political party, shall be deemed to be actively engaged in politics. (7) Every member shall be paid such fees and allowances as the Minister may determine. (8) Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board, the vacancy shall be filled by a person appointed by the Minister, who shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of that member. (9) No member shall engage in any activity which may undermine the reputation or integrity of the Authority. (10) Any member may be removed or suspended from office by the Minister in any of the circumstances described in section 37(3)(b) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act. (11) The Board may co-opt any other person who may be of assistance in relation to any matter before the Board and the co-opted member shall— (a) not have the right to vote at any meeting of the Board; and (b) be paid such fees and allowances as the Board may determine. [S. 7 amended by s. 46 (d) of Act 9 of 2015 w.e.f. 14 May 2015.] S19 – 6 (1) [Issue 8] Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority Act