<B>Report on standard Creole spelling under study</B>

A report on the standardisation of Creole spelling should be made public this week by the minister of Education, as it is under study at the moment. This material, ordered by the government at the end of March, aims at setting up standards to make the language usable at school and in Parliament. The report?s author, Vinesh Hookoomsing, makes it clear that the language is not fixed and should evolve with time. The pro vice-chancellor of the University of Mauritius also thinks there should be a committee to ensure follow-up.

<B>Two Pakistani students die on Mauritian road</B>

Four Pakistani students came to Mauritius to spend their holiday with their friend, Mohamad Zakir Samtally. But their dream trip turned into a horrible nightmare. They were involved in a road accident, which killed two of them. They were driving to Port-Louis on the motorway at Soreze when their car suddenly left the road and bumped into Isoop Madoobaccus?s vehicle on the opposite side. Sidhu Bhupinder, the driver, and Hussain Kashif did not survive their injuries. The other passengers of the two cars were injured but their life is not in danger. Investigators are waiting for the experts? report on the damaged cars, as well as statements by those involved, to determine the reasons for the accident.

<B>New director appointed on national airline board</B>

Krishnanand Guptar, the financial secretary of Air Mauritius, has been appointed member of the Board of directors of the national airline as a replacement for Ramapatee Gujadhur. The latter chose not to be seek reelection. The fact that the financial secretary has become a member of this board respects a tradition, officials say. Krishnanand Guptar?s nomination was ratified at the board meeting held soon after the general assembly of Air Mauritius. This assembly was marked by protests from some minor shareholders. Megh Pillay, the managing director, had to give explanations on some of the company?s decisions ? namely recruitment, financial and operational issues.

<B>Is the local banking sector a cartel?</B>

Chadan Jankee, senior lecturer in banking and finance at the University of Mauritius, strongly believes that the banking sector is an oligopoly. As a result, there is no competition in that field. The fixing of interest rates on savings and loans is one

of the major problems, the lecturer says. But Jacques de Navacelle, chief executive of Barclays Bank and president of the Mauritius Bankers? Association, has a completely different perception of the situation. ?Everyday we have to compete with one another for business.

We compete over interest rates and commissions.? Both were speaking in a forum organised by the ?Jeune Chambre Economique?.