<B>WTO commits to helping small textile producers</B>

Mauritius has reason to be satisfied with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting held last Friday. The latter has admitted that the removal of apparel and textile quotas would lead to massive job losses and domination of global markets by countries such as China and India. Many of the small textile producer countries joined Mauritius in expressing their fears over the dismantling of quotas. Even China said it was considering the possible limitation of its volume of exports. The Chinese minister of Trade wrote a letter to minister Jayen Cuttaree to say he was conscious of the apprehensions of small producers like Mauritius. Forty countries, including Mauritius, asked for a study and a concrete working brief to help small producers adapt to the end of the quotas. WTO has committed itself to finding solutions for small countries. The chairman of the Council on trade in goods opened discussions to reach a consensus over possible aid. It should make all these options, as well as a schedule, public by the end of the week.

<B>AHRIM appoints

Dan Bundhoo as new CEO</B>

The Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners of Mauritius (AHRIM) has appointed Dan Bundhoo as new chief executive officer to replace Sen Ramsamy, who resigned some time ago. The new CEO thinks that the time of classic promotion methods is over. The budget should be increased to allow more sophisticated marketing of the destination. According to him, tourists come to Mauritius only for holidays. “We would now like to have tourists interested in meetings, incentives, conferences and events.”

<B>Woman suspected of arson in Cassis</B>

Five houses were destroyed in a fire in Cassis this week. Marie-Josée Allas, who occupied one of the houses, is the prime suspect. Although there has been no loss of human life, the material damage is terrible and four families are homeless. According to Marie Josée Allas’ neighbours, she had already threatened to set fire to her house. She is known to the police as she once threatened to kill her four children. They are now in the custody of the Child development Unit. She is also reported to have received psychiatric treatment. The police are investigating the tragedy.