Back from his four-day official visit to France, Prime Minister Paul Bérenger has expressed his deep satisfaction. ?A success beyond all my expectations?, he declared just before catching his plane back. This visit seems to have assured him of French support in connection with sugar, textile and other major issues.

PM Bérenger had a heavy timetable. The most important feature was meeting President Jacques Chirac, who promised ?active support? on all issues discussed. The latter comes regularly on holiday here and seems to have developed a strong attachment to our country? Paul Bérenger also met his counterpart, Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The two PMs discussed political, economic and commercial relations and shared views on important international issues.

The economic aspect of the visit was the meeting with Mouvement des enterprises de France (Medef). Paul Bérenger?s talents as spokesman and his thorough knowledge of the issues at stake were impressive. He tackled them in a direct way and with a touch of humour. A French businessman commented that the PM ?was never at a loss for words.? When questioned on administrative obstacles that discourage investment, he replied that corruption had to be dealt with but obstacles were less formidable than before.

When Colas representative mentioned traffic congestion in Mauritius, Paul Bérenger joked about traffic jams in Paris, adding that the light railway transit project would be the solution between Port-Louis and Curepipe. He also answered Star Airlines representative on air access policy. The choice was up to France but Air Mauritius was to retain its 50% seats and charters were out of question.

The PM?s visit also had a more personal side. The dinner hosted by Deputy Minister of Cooperation and French-speaking communities provided the opportunity for a reunion with family members and Mauritian expatriates. In Marseille he visited the house of Mathieu Louis Bérenger, the first Bérenger to settle in Mauritius in 1836.