<B>Filling stations say

No to credit cards!</B>

While it was supposed to be a temporary measure, filling stations continue to refuse credit cards as payment. The members of the Petrol Retailers’ Association are using this as a protest against the government. “Credit cards will not be accepted as long as the ministry doesn’t move. There is so much slowness on the government’s side,” says the association’s secretary, Ashok Rughooputh. The problem, according to the protesters, is that oil prices as well as the cost of living have increased, while their profit margin has remained the same. Moreover, they have to pay bank commissions asked by banks are up to 1.75%. The minister has promised to study the problem but nothing has been done so far. Filling station owners thus wait for a move to start accepting credit cards again.

<B>New company joins seafood hub</B>

Casamar Mauritius Ltd should start its activities in Port-Louis harbour as from next January. This subsidiary of the US world leader in its field will manufacture and repair nets for some 50 fishing ships in the Indian Ocean that presently go to Dubai or Madagascar for this service. The firm hopes to promote the port as a regional base. The company will first invest Rs 100 million and should create some 130 jobs. Casamar is already established in the Seychelles; the office there is setting up all the operations to start the business in Mauritius. It has already obtained its permit from the Mauritius Freeport Authority. This project lies in the context of making Mauritius a regional seafood hub.

<B>Opposition still has doubts on “third country fabric”</B>

Opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam thinks that the population has been “misled” concerning the third country fabric exemption. The country has not yet obtained it and may never obtain it, says Navin Ramgoolam, who seriously doubts that the US House of Representatives will approve the exemption. He adds that the situation remains worrying in the EPZ particularly with the coming dismantling of the Multifibre agreement. The opposition leader says the government hasn’t really replied to his PNQ on the issue, thus hiding the truth to the population.