Local Mauritius
ICT minister criticises France Telecom
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Tassarajen Chedumbrum Pillay expressed his dissatisfaction with the directors of telecommunication company France Telecom, which he said is not respecting agreements. The minister was addressing the press during a workshop at La Cannelle, Domaine les Pailles, on Wednesday. “We have nothing against France Telecom, but we are angry with [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
TopToTop inspiring children for environmental action
Members of TopToTop, a non-profit organisation under the patronage of the United Nations Environment Program and Switzerland are in Mauritius. They are here to encourage youngsters to take part in sporting activities for cooperation as well as raise awareness about the environment. They held a press conference on Wednesday at Labourdonnais Hotel in Port Louis. [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Common front protest against abortion
A bill to legalise abortion in specific cases is in the offing. This will allow abortion in cases of rape, incest and fetal abnormality. After the Bishop of Port Louis, Father Maurice Piat, took a firm stand against the legalisation of abortion in specific cases, the common front against legalisation of abortion composed of the [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
IFM hosts int’l short film fest
The Institut français de Maurice (IFM), in collaboration with L‘Association Porteurs d‘Images, is organising the fifth edition of Ile Courts, an international short film festival, in Mauritius. The festival kick started on September 27 and will culminate on October 1. The specialty of Ile Courts is that it is not a short film competition but [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Duval receives MLC budget bid
The Mauritius Labour Congress (MLC) has made public the letter sent on September 22 to the minister of Finance and Economic Development, Xavier-Luc Duval. This has proposals for the 2012 budget. The president of the association, Haniff Peerun singled out 12 proposals on various issues. The MLC wants to have recourse to price control on [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
SPES presents 30 eco-projects
On Tuesday, the minister of Social Integration, Suren Dayal officially launched 30 eco-capacity building training projects of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Societe pour la Promotion des Entreprises Specialises (SPES) in Quatre Bornes. Several eco-craft products made of ceramic, clay and pottery as well as easy to use keyboards, black plastic bin bags and handloom items [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
ACL rebranded as MedScheme
Administrators and Consultants Limited (ACL), established in 1982 as a specialist administrator of medical insurance products, will henceforth be known as MedScheme Mauritius. This was stated by Anthony Pedersen, managing director of MedScheme International at the firm’s new office in Ebene on Wednesday. Speaking to The Independent about the decision to change the company’s name, [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Durga Puja starts off across country
Prayers for Durga Puja began on Wednesday and will end on October 6. For the Hindu community, Durga Puja is an important religious festival. It includes the Navaratri which is celebrated during the nine (Nava) nights (Ratri) of the puratasi month, which refers to mid-September and October. Considered by devotees as the mother of the [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Unemployment up by 1,400 since last year
Since the second quarter of 2010, the number of employed people has dropped by 10,500 to 531,400, representing a 1.9 per cent fall. The number of unemployed persons has risen by 1,400 to 46,200. This rise is the combined effect of an increase of 1,600 in the number of unemployed males and a decrease of [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Les Halles complex to reopen as home hub
By next year, Phoenix Les Halles Commercial Centre will turn into a home and decor hub. Speaking to The Independent, Koraysha Dhunputh, marketing manager of Phoenix Les Halles, said the shopping complex will remain a commercial centre but will specialise in products for household use. “The complex will house shops selling various brands at competitive [...]
29 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
SEM gets ‘innovative’ nod
The Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) bagged the Most Innovative African Stock Exchange 2011 award on Monday at the New York Stock Exchange. The country was represented by the chief executive officer of SEM, Sunil Benimadhu. “It is a recognition of the numerous initiatives by the SEM with the support of the Financial Services Commission [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Emtel Zee Mega Challenge trials picks up tempo
After the auditions held at Rose Belle and Flacq on September 17 and 18, the Emtel Zee Mega Challenge saw more participants on September 24 and 25, during the auditions the at John Kennedy College, Beau Bassin. Speaking to The Independent, Eric Triton, one of the jury members for the dance category, said that the [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
US Green Card online service opens Oct 4
Online registration for the 2013 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (US Green Card) will begin on October 4 and end on November 5. This was stated by the US Embassy consular officer, Liz Kuhse, at a press conference in Port Louis on Tuesday. Those interested should fill out a form on the (www.dvlottery.state.gov). It is important [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Pick n Pay opens first store at Bagatelle
On Tuesday, Pick n Pay announced the opening of its first store on the island in Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius, expanding the group’s African footprint. The company plans to open another two stores next year as it continues its expansion strategy into African countries with the most significant opportunities. According to Pick n Pay’s head [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
School of Agriculture project shelved
The president of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), Marc Hein, had mentioned the setting up of an agricultural school in a report titled ‘Maintaining the green cover of Mauritius’ made public in August. This school would have come under the aegis of the ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ concept, with an aim to provide basic [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Verdun link road in progress
The second phase of the Link Road Terre Rouge Verdun Trianon Link Road is getting ready. It is expected to be completed by October 2013. The link road will ease traffic along the A7 Road Quartier Militaire Réduit. It will reduce accidents and enhance road safety. It will also lead to a decline in potential [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Star 2011 comes to an end
The excitement was palpable in the studios of Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) as the sole television station of the country winded up the auditions of the third edition of the local singing competition, Star 2011, on Sunday. Star 2011 promises to be a musical extravaganza. This year, the MBC provided aspiring stars with an opportunity [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Domestic debt up by 3.3 pc
Mauritius’ central government domestic debt has increased by 3.3 per cent since August 2010. The amount stood at Rs 130,056 million in August 2011 compared Rs 125, 939 million last year, by residual maturity, which is the remaining time until the expiration or the repayment of the instrument. This has been made derivable by the [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Small traders ring alarm bells on street vending
Small businesses have been expressing concerns about growing competition in the local market. The Traders’ Association Beau Bassin / Rose Hill has submitted numerous proposals to the minister of Finance in this regard. The aim is to reduce transaction costs of traders so they can cope with the difficult economic situation. Permal Prakash, president of [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily
Tree lopping starts along Curepipe roads
The Municipality of Curepipe launched a tree lopping campaign earlier this week to avoid possible risks to pedestrians and the public in general. This aim is to cut trees that crowd the roads in the city of Curepipe,. The chairman of the health committee, Iqbal Bundheea said that the board took this decision several months [...]
28 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily