● <B>How have the relations between the government (GM) and the Mauritus Sugar Planters? Association progressed? </B>

A new stage seems to have been reached last week with a proposal of 2,000 acres over the next three years by the MSPA? Now a response is expected from the GM concerning this offer.

● <B> Has the MSPA set conditions to its offer? </B>

It is proposed that 75% of the plots of land would be earmarked for social projects. These plots of land would be gradually released as projects concerning mainly low-cost housing under the Empowerment Programme or structural amenities like roads are planned and implemented. 500 acres would be given immediately to be placed in a trust, which would be managed jointly by the authorities and the MSPA. Other proposals are said to concern the equity participation of other stakeholders of the industry ? especially in projects of thermal power stations, sugar refining and ethanol production

● <B> What would the MSPA obtain in return? </B>

The MSPA is now expecting a follow-up meeting this week with the GM that will settle on a win-win solution that would lead to the pursuit of the reform in the sector, that is presently at a standstill, notably the centralization process and the closing down of some factories. In the meantime, the Sugar Investment Trust has eased the crisis in St-Félix, where the management had decided to engage proceedings to put the company in receivership, by offering to pay the artisans? salaries and end-of-year bonus until December 2007. This week will be a decisive one especially as our ministers of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs are in Brussels for ACP talks with the EU concerning future Economic Partnership Agreements.