<B>?The turn of the footwear industry??</B>

On the 23rd July 2007,

I raised concerns about the Mauritian textile and apparel exports to the USA due to the well intentioned actions of Democrats in the the US Congress to open up the US market to all countries, thus negating the preferential benefits of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Now it is the turn of the Mauritian footwear industry to be affected. Mauritius is second only to South Africa in its exports of footwear to the United States from Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Congressman Joseph Crowley, a Democrat from New York has introduced legislation to open all footwear imports to the USA to duty free treatment, thus once again possibly negating the preferential advantages of AGOA for SSA countries and placing Mauritius in direct competition with China and Brazil. I am sure that Paul Ryberg and the Mauritian Embassy will act expeditiously to protect Mauritian interests.

<B>Peter CRAIG</B> Managing Director, Peter Craig Ltd