<B>By Pauline ETIENNE</B>

We can?t really say that we are bored in Mauritius. Although we may still be light years away from the big European centres where pubs and shops are mushrooming on every street corner, we are making quite an effort to get out of our torpor. Both the public and the private sectors are striving to attract pop stars and organise original events.

The numerous DJs who have visited us over the past two years ? including the biggest stars in this field ? famous international singers or groups, high-calibre shows or, more recently, the Creole Festival have all contributed to making Mauritius a place where things happen.

The latest Creole Festival appears as a big cultural event that can unite both Mauritians and tourists around a crossbred culture. It seems to have lost the debatable claim for a ?Creole identity?. Such a claim should be made on other stages while this event should be the opportunity to discover what unites all Mauritians ? and even all those living on an island.

If the festival could help reduce the frustrations of some citizens, then fair enough. But this shouldn?t be the avowed objective of such a national gathering.

This event is an opportuniy for Mauritians to discover others? culture and celebrate. Just like all other events organised so far and the upcoming ones in December.

Mauritius is starting to develop a culture of entertainment and that?s definitely a good point for local residents as well as tourists. And even more important for the economy.

But I suppose other efforts can be made ? particularly concerning the opening hours of shops and shopping centres. Except for big commercial centres that accommodate a hypermarket, not many shops remain open after 6 pm (the boldest ones of course). Commercial centres and individual shops in the town centres close at about 5 pm.

Although closing hours should be reviewed for the whole year, this period of festivities where people will undeniably go shopping is the right time to implement such a decision.

At the moment, citizens are quite reluctant to spend a lot of money on the end-of-year festivities, so late night shopping could be a way of boosting consumption.

Moreover, longer opening hours would force shop owners to adopt a shift system and employ more people.

The reason for introducing new regulations is clear.

Office hours have changed in the past few years and people obviously can?t go shopping after work. A mere glimpse into shops on Saturdays will convince you that something must be done to keep them open until late during the week.

And this will become even more important if Mauritius is to become the duty-free island it intends to be.

New mayors have just been appointed.

They could take the bull by the horns and make this question a priority. It is important not to miss the boat during this peak period. It will then become part of our local habits?