CMT in the limelight again

The Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile is definitely one of the most popular companies in the country these days. After celebrating its 18th year of existence with great ceremony and inaugurating a highly modern spinning-mill a few weeks ago, it has recently been awarded the “President of the Republic Premier Excellence model” prize. This was the most important decoration awarded at the 2004 edition of National Quality Award at the Maritim Hotel last week.

This annual event aims at recognizing the efforts made by Mauritian companies to achieve quality.

Ethanol, the energy of the future

Two main reasons may bring the Mauritian government to insist on ethanol production: the rise in oil prices and the hard times the sugar industry is facing. According to the Board of Investment (BOI), the country has the necessary resources – molasses - as well as the production capacity to embark on ethanol. Two Indian firms, Chandni Oil Company and Euro Ethanol Ltd, have already submitted projects to the BOI and the Mauritius Freeport Authority to invest in the production of ethanol in the country. Such a production should help the sugar factories to restructure and allow their survival in this difficult context. Also oil is bcomingn more and more expensive and ethanol is very environment-friendly.

Status quo in the electoral system

The prime minister, Paul Bérenger, announced that the electoral system would probably remain as it is for the next elections. Although the government was expected to take some initiatives to make the electoral system fairer and easier, it has finally decided that it would take “no risk in view of the opposition’s demagogy.” No proportional representation, no electronic voting machine, no legal framework for the financing of political parties will take place in the coming months. The PM holds the opposition leader, Navin Ramgoolam, totally responsible for the situation since he has recently changed his mind on these issues. He said Navin Ramgoolam is looking for “excuses to justify losing the next general elections.”