Dans un entretien accordé à l’express de samedi, Will Fitzgibbon, un des principaux reporters ayant travaillé sur l’enquête Panama Papers, révèle que, selon les premiers chiffres, plus de 1 200 compagnies y seraient impliquées, avec 53 clients et 25 bénéficiaires. Mais il explique qu’à ce stade, il est encore difficile de révéler les noms car «il nous faut élargir les recherches. Nous travaillerons avec nos partenaires locaux pour enquêter en profondeur et déterminer l’implication des Mauriciens.»

Certains noms de Mauriciens ont été cités dans la presse et liés au scandale Panama Papers. Toutefois, ceux à qui nous avons posé la question s’accordent à démentir qu’ils ont des comptes dans des sociétés offshore au Panama. Arnaud Lagesse, Chief Executive Officer de GML Investissement Ltée et Chairman de LUX* Island Resort Ltd est catégorique. «Je n’ai pas de compagnie ni ai-je travaillé dans une compagnie enregistrée au Panama. Je n’ai jamais utilisé les services de la firme juridique de Mossack Fonseca.» C’est ce qu’il affirme dans un communiqué émis. 

“I HAVE NEVER USED THE SERVICES OF MOSSACK FONSECA”

Following various press reports relating to what are now known as the ‘Panama Papers’, I wish to bring the following to the attention of the media, investors generally and the public at large.

I do not own nor have I served as an officer of any company registered in Panama. Moreover, I have never used the services of the law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The persons and companies mentioned in the press reports appear to be same as those published in 2014 in the context of what became known as the ‘Swiss Leaks’. One of those companies namely Naiade Resorts Maldives Ltd, now LUX* Island Resort Maldives Ltd, is a subsidiary of Lux Island Resorts Ltd. It was registered in 2005 in the British Virgin Islands to acquire a hotel resort in Maldives. LUX* Island Resort Maldives Ltd has a legitimate business purpose. It conducts its operations in accordance with all applicable laws.

In 2008, the directors of LUX* Island Resort Maldives Ltd were late Robert Ahnee, Désiré Elliah, Philippe Forget, Patrice Hardy and myself. All disclosures about LUX* Island Resort Maldives Ltd have at all times been made by Lux Island Resorts Ltd in its annual reports and audited accounts as required by law.

Moreover, as the Chief Executive Officer of GML Investissement Ltée, I am responsible to ensure that all companies and subsidiaries of the GML Group do business in accordance with law and comply with the highest norms of corporate governance and best practices. It is also my duty to uphold the image and reputation of GML Group companies and subsidiaries at all times.

I reserve my right to take such action as I may be advised to protect my integrity, that of LUX* Island Resort Maldives Ltd and its officers as well as that of the companies and subsidiaries of GML Group.

Arnaud LAGESSE

Chief Executive Officer, GML Investissement Ltée

Chairman, LUX* Island Resort Ltd

Il est rejoint par Sattar Hajee Abdoula. «Je n’ai jamais travaillé avec Mossack Fonseca.» 

Quant à Veekram Bhunjun, il affirme avoir d’autres business à l’étranger mais aucune de ses compagnies n’est enregistrée au Panama. «50 % de mon chiffre d’affaires se trouvent dans des compagnies à l’étranger. Ma compagnie offshore Blue Central n’est pas enregistrée au Panama.»