<B>Plans for a second cyber tower by end of 2004 </B>

Work on a second cyber tower in Ebène should start very soon. Since the first one is expected to reach 75% occupation by the end of the year, Business Parks of Mauritius Ltd (BPML) has reshuffled its planning. The administrative building will be changed into an “intelligent building.” According to BPML president, work on the building could start in about a month. The project will cost Rs 360 million. Fifteen companies have already confirmed that they will come to the Ebène cyber tower and seven are already there. BPML has not abandoned its administrative building, which should be ready by early 2006.

BPML could also develop a “business zone” in Rose-Belle, with an “intelligent building”, a commercial area and an industrial zone for light engineering activities. A delegation is also attending the Birmingham Call Centre Expo in September in a bid to diversify the market.

<B>South African opinion expected on GBS blast</B>

Three weeks after the Grand Bay Store blast and still no clear conclusion has emerged. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has concluded that it was a gas leak but cannot say whether it was accidental or criminal while the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is adamant that they found nitro-glycerine on the site. The prime minister has asked for South African expert opinion. The government will send all the information collected so far and all the reports to experts in South Africa. The latter should send their conclusions back as soon as possible.

Economic state of emergency</B>