● International level care at affordable prices. Apollo Hospital will open in Mauritius in eighteen months. The chairman of the group, Dr Prathap Reddy, made a presentation of the group?s project this week in the presence of representatives of British American Investment (BAI), their partner in Mauritius. Dr Reddy made it clear that the new hospital does not only target the wealthiest people. ?I am no businessman?, he pointed out. On the contrary, the capacity of people to pay will be taken into consideration and he has already announced that the hospital will give international level care at affordable prices. The hospital aims at having three categories of people ? those benefiting from free care, average clients and the most privileged. Apollo hospital also intends to offer alternative care like Ayurveda, music therapy and aromatherapy.

● Competition Bill still needs polishing. The Competition Bill will take some time before being introduced in Parliament.

The presentation of the bill by the minister of Trade, Rajesh Jeetah, to his colleagues of the cabinet in the presence of the Prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, showed that more discussions are necessary to reach a consensus. All ministers agree on the objectives of this bill ? put an end to cartels and collusions and allow consumers to make their own choice ? but they are particularly anxious about state monopolies and the independence of the Competition Commission, the regulatory body that will prevent any abuse. After lively discussions, ministers will have to meet again for more discussions.

● Traffic lights at Caudan roundabout ruled out. The project to replace Caudan roundabout by traffic lights has been stopped at the request of the Prime minister?s office. The Bureau central d?études outre-mer had already expressed reservations on this project a few years ago saying that alone it would not solve the problem of traffic jams and that it should go along with other projects. The ministry of Finance is sceptical about the results of this project as well. This is may be why the PMO has stopped the project ? though A.J Maurel had already obtained the green light.