Volume 2

Amcham Newsletter June 2006 Issue Volume 2

	Volume 2	Issue 2 June 2006	Official Newsletter of AMCHAM - Mauritius
	AmCham President's Welcome Address Dear AmCham Member,     Welcome to this new issue of our quarterly newsletter.   First, I would like to thank the membership for giving me the opportunity to serve a second term as President of AmCham.   One of our objectives this year is to organize several seminars, the first one of which has already been held with Mr. Bert Cunningham, Comptroller of Customs. We will continue with our original formula of business lunches but we also want to take a different approach to some events.   This year we will be organizing a special event for Halloween. We are planning a fun and lively event for the whole family and we are looking into ways to use the occasion to give to a worthy charity.   Thanksgiving Dinner has been the social event over the past years' events. This year we are looking at revising the format and holding a Gala Awards Night on this very special American Holiday.   We are also contemplating a trip to meet and network with other AmChams. We believe that cooperation among regional AmChams will help our association grow and develop opportunities for our membership.   For the first time this year, AmCham is part of the official private sector delegation participating in the 5th AGOA forum in Washington DC on the 5th and 6th June. Mr. Mookesh Gopal, AmCham's Treasurer will be representing the association. In our next newsletter we will provide you with updates from this year's AGOA's forum.   Last but not least I would like to extend a special welcome to all our new members: Soniawear Ltd Davyland Promoters Denim de L'ile Palmar International Ltd Mr. Rajen Manikion Mr. Henri Nairac Mr. Bernard lam Shin Cheung Ms. Sien Sien Shi Shun-Yip tong     Enjoy your read,   Aleda Koenig President, American Chamber of Commerce - Mauritius         U.S. Embassy Address   2006 AGOA FORUM The United States will host the fifth U.S. - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) on June 6-7, 2006, in Washington, D.C.    The theme of this year's forum is "The Private Sector and Trade: Powering Africa's Growth."  The forum will focus on how countries can enhance their private sectors to stimulate growth and to take advantage of the trade opportunities AGOA offers.   The Forum will bring together the U.S. government and governments of AGOA eligible countries, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society.  Currently 37 of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have been designated as eligible for AGOA benefits.   Honorable Madan Dulloo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, will lead the Mauritian delegation.    EXPORTING SPECIALTY FOODS TO THE UNITED STATES   The Embassy has received a copy of a DVD featuring the recent seminar "Exporting Specialty Foods to the United States."  The USAID/Southern Africa Trade Hub held the seminar for specialty food exporters from Southern Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2005.    The DVD contains excellent information about the United States Food and Drug Administration requirements for labeling food products for the U.S. market.  It features Dr. Patrick Wilson, a federal regulator, in his capacity as a volunteer for the International Executive Service Corps.  In addition, it provides valuable information about marketing specialty food products to the U.S., featuring Mr. Chris Crocker and Mr. Mike Dickinson of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade and the Fancy Food Show.    Parties interested in viewing the DVD should contact the Embassy's Commercial Section at the following numbers:   Economic/Commercial Officer Melissa Brown: Tel: 202-4460 Economic/Commercial Specialist: Shariff Jathoonia: 202-4464 Economic/Commercial Assistant Rahmat Caunhye: Tel: 202-4430         US Chamber of Commerce President's Update - April 2006   Congress has returned from an Easter recess after hearing an earful from constituents on soaring gasoline prices, immigration, health care and other issues.  The Chamber continues to press the debate on these complex and emotional matters -- seeking to unearth the best ideas, building consensuses and forging alliances, pushing lawmakers to action while preventing foolishly rash responses, and vigorously advancing the business community's interests.   Energy   With crude oil well above $70 per barrel and gas at the pump exceeding $3.00 per gallon, lawmakers have been tripping over each other to offer "solutions" -- more hearings, price gouging and antitrust investigations, rebate checks, windfall profits taxes, just to name a few.  The only problem is none of these ideas would lower the price of gas or more importantly, address our longer term energy needs and vulnerabilities.  The Chamber is particularly concerned about tax proposals that would deplete the already strapped highway trust fund that the nation must rely upon to expand our transportation network, improve safety and save lives.   In recent days, we helped prevent a surprise move that would have triggered what amounts to a major tax increase not just on energy companies, but on all industries that use the long-accepted LIFO (last-in-first-out) accounting method to determine corporate income and thus corporate taxes.  Proposals put forth by the Senate leadership would have paid for consumer tax relief by forcing companies to change this accounting approach.  After an intensive series of Chamber contacts with key players in the Senate, the industry-wide assault on LIFO has been dropped.     Yet the legislators who have the most to answer for are those who for years have consistently blocked efforts to produce more domestic oil and gas on federal lands, on the Outer Continental Shelf and in a small portion of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge -- while complaining about the high price of energy and our vulnerability to unstable foreign imports.  They continue to block the expansion of safe, clean nuclear energy even as they rail against global warming.  They have voted against measures to ease the construction of new refineries and supported complicated mandates that require different blends of fuel -- and then without facts, accused gas companies of supply manipulation, price gouging and collusion.   Rising fuel prices are indeed hitting many businesses and families hard.  Yet we should be even more concerned by the industries and jobs that are leaving our country altogether due to the lack of stable, affordable energy.  And, with rising economic powers like China and India now competing with us for energy on the world market, and with key suppliers in various states of political and social turmoil, what we really need is a Manhattan Project-like effort to rapidly expand the full range of energy supplies, alternatives and infrastructure.  In the meantime, the Chamber will seek every legislative opportunity to pass meaningful energy solutions while working to stop foolish ones.   For more information on the state-of-play on energy issues and the government's response, please call Executive Vice President Bruce Josten at (202) 463-5310.   Immigration   The volatile debate over immigration continues across the nation.  Though we cannot say when legislation will emerge from the Senate, or whether any bill will be completed before the November elections, I believe we are making progress -- particularly in the hearts and minds of the American people.   Those on both extremes of the immigration debate may make the most noise, but after a lot of hard work by the Chamber and many others, we are gradually seeing a "sensible center" emerge and coalesce around an immigration program that:   First, does a better job securing the borders-not with a wall, but with technologies, personnel and a workable employee verification system.   Second, establishes an earned pathway to legalization for the undocumented who can show they've been in the country for a number of years, who are gainfully employed, who have no criminal record, and who pay a fine and learn English.   And third, creates a guest worker program so that a growing economy with an aging workforce can secure both the muscle and talent it needs to compete and prosper in the 21st century.   No doubt there will be many more twists and turns in the immigration reform debate before any conclusion is reached.  The Chamber has always recognized the need for the nation to regain control of its borders.  Yet we also see a responsibility to secure the future of the American economy and workforce as 77 million baby boomers prepare to retire.  We don't have to choose between a nation based on the rule of law and a welcoming nation that draws on talents and hard work of people around the world.   For further details on immigration reform legislation, please contact Randy Johnson, Vice President for Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits at (202) 463-5522.     Health Care   Health care is another issue where confusion and contradictions abound. Americans want unlimited access to health services, yet no one wants to pay for them.   Our country is home to many of the top health care providers, facilities, and innovations in the world, but we have a complicated and inefficient system for delivering care.  Throw into this mix the explosion of medical liability lawsuits across the nation, and it is no wonder that prices are rising, coverage is declining, and many communities are left underserved by health professionals who have been driven out of practice.   Our challenge is how to preserve the best features of American health care while reducing inflationary pressures, covering more Americans, and getting the lawyers out of our doctor's offices and operating rooms.  No one has come up with the perfect solution, but based on a review of nationalized systems in other countries we know what the answer is not -- a government takeover of health care.    Despite spiraling costs and continuing questions about liability, the business community is doing its best to maintain a strong commitment to providing this voluntary benefit to workers.  According to the 2005 Employee Benefits Study just recently released by the Chamber, the cost of employee benefits in 2004 reached 40.2 percent of payroll expenses.  Medically-related expenses remained the greatest share of employee benefit costs at 11.9 percent.  The average dollar amount in all benefits received by employees increased from $18,358 in 2004 to $20,158 in 2005.  This represents a strong commitment to American workers.   While there may not be a magic pill to cure all of our health care problems, there are significant steps the government could take to address the challenges I have outlined.   Later this month, the Senate is scheduled to debate a series of Chamber-backed health care bills, including Small Business Health Plans (SBHP) legislation, which would allow small firms to band together to get greater bargaining power, economies of scale and administrative efficiencies.  SBHPs would have one set of rates and benefits even across state lines, and would provide some relief from expensive state mandates -- potentially reducing premiums for small businesses by 15-30 percent.  We are also urging the Senate to consider legislation to expand the favorable tax treatment for Health Savings Accounts.   As important as such proposals are, the reality is that the political will does not exist in Congress to finalize serious reforms in health care coverage and delivery.  A central part of the Chamber's message is that the business and provider communities should not wait for government, but take meaningful steps on their own.   A small percentage of people consume a majority of health care, and in many cases, their illnesses can be prevented.  Eighty percent of health care costs results from the treatment of about 20 percent of the population afflicted with chronic diseases.  Imagine the savings if we did a better job of keeping that 20 percent healthier.  The private sector can have a bigger impact here by expanding wellness and prevention programs in the workplace. For example, Motorola reports nearly $4 of return on every $1 of investment in its wellness programs.  Johnson and Johnson averages $225 in health care savings per employee per year with its programs.  And Pitney Bowes' prevention efforts have produced $200 million in cost savings. Furthermore, consumers with traditional types of employer-sponsored coverage have little appreciation or understanding of the cost of health care.  But employers are increasingly moving to consumer-driven health care products that gives their employees more control, more choices, and more freedom -- but also more responsibility.  Reconnecting the consumer with the actual costs of health care will produce greater transparency and eventually, impact competition and cost.     We must also encourage a dramatic expansion in the use of information technology to track outcomes, store medical records, and handle administrative tasks such as claims processing.  U.S. industries such as retail, shipping, and banking have successfully made the transition to the electronic age, yet the health care industry's use of information technology lags far behind.   The widespread adoption of health IT would lower costs, prevent medical errors and duplicative testing, guide medical decision making, and allow providers to better track health outcomes and coordinate public health activities.   The uninsured are a major drain on employers because it's the employers that end up paying for their care.  There are 14 million uninsured who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid but not enrolled.  We need to explore ways for moving them into those programs.   This won't help financially-pressed government health programs, but along with other steps, begin to reduce the competitive disadvantages our industries face due to health care costs.  General Motors, for example, spends about $1,500 on employee health care for every vehicle it produces.  By comparison, Toyota, which has very low retiree costs for its U.S. operations, is estimated to spend about $200 on employee health care per vehicle.   Finally, as we push governments to improve our health care system, we must also ensure that they don't make an even bigger mess of it.  Working with our federation and other partners, the Chamber is battling, with some success, the efforts in various states to copy the "Wal-Mart" bill that passed in Maryland at the beginning of the year.   That legislation requires employers with 10,000 or more employees to earmark 8 percent of payroll spending for health care costs or divert an equal amount of money into the state's fund for low-income individuals.   Other state-level ideas are attracting attention.  Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was at the Chamber last week outlining legislation he has just signed to deal with the uninsured through an individual mandate along with increased government support for those who cannot afford coverage.  The Chamber is looking at all the ideas that have come forth while maintaining a commitment to the free market principles that have served our country so well and can do the same in the health care arena.    For more information, please call Randy Johnson, Vice President for Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits at (202) 463-5522.     And the Beat Goes On... As the Chamber grapples with the complicated issues I have discussed, our important day-to-day work on many other issues continues to expand.   The House and Senate are nearing an agreement on a tax bill that would extend the 15 percent rate on capital gains and dividends, provide AMT relief for some taxpayers, and continue a host of business tax provisions.  We are pushing for the best possible outcome for the business community.   Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Washington last month.  The Chamber helped lead and organize a major event for President Hu and I attended a luncheon in his honor at the White House, along with a number of our members.   Before the President's trip, the annual U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting was held in Washington.  We welcomed commitments made by China to crack down on intellectual property rights violators, legalize software, and reduce market access barriers for telecommunications and express delivery services providers.  China also gave positive signals that it may reopen its market to U.S. beef exports and will begin negotiations to join the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement.   But it's the follow-up and follow-through that really counts -- and China has fallen short on past promises.  Ensuring that U.S. companies have the same opportunities to succeed in the China market that Chinese companies already enjoy in the U.S. market is a top Chamber priority.   Meanwhile our National Chamber Litigation Center continues to win victories. Early last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) failed to allow public input on its proposed rules governing mutual fund boards of directors.  The court gave the SEC 90-days to reconsider the rule in light of additional public comments.   Beginning in 2004, the Chamber sued the SEC over these rules and we have been in court ever since.  This latest ruling makes it clear that neither the Chamber nor the courts will permit the SEC to run roughshod over the rulemaking process.   Liz and I look forward to seeing Chamber board members at our upcoming board meeting in Washington on June 6-7.  By now you should have received a letter and information from Chair Maura Donahue outlining the program.  It will be an interesting meeting at a very interesting and challenging time for business! Please don't hesitate to contact me at (202) 463-5300 if you ever have any questions.  In my absence, feel free to call Suzanne Clark, the Chamber's COO, at (202) 463-5549 or David Chavern, Chief of Staff, at (202) 463-3101. Until next month...     Update from U.S. Chamber of Commerce   Section 911 tax benefits for U.S. citizens abroad   As you know, the global network of 104 American Chambers of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have fought for several years to retain the $80,000 exclusion on income earned by U.S. taxpayers working abroad, together with related housing benefits, better known as Section 911.  In Washington's difficult fiscal environment, this has been a tough fight.  Members of Congress have been keen to find new revenue, and the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation recommended changes to Section 911.  U.S. taxpayers working overseas have few voices other than our Chamber Federation to defend their interests.   The Senate voted last night (May 11), 54-44, to pass a $70 billion, five-year tax bill that will extend rates on capital gains, raise exemptions to the Alternative Minimum Tax and restrict tax breaks for exporters.  Regrettably, the tax reconciliation conference report, rushed through the Congress in just a few days, reduces the benefits provided by the foreign earned income and employer-provided housing exclusion rules for U.S. citizens living abroad.  The House approved the same bill the previous night, and President Bush said he plans to sign it.   Over the past weeks, months, and years, we have been laboring diligently to educate members of Congress about this issue in meetings with them and their staffs.  A study prepared with support from many of the AmChams and the U.S. Chamber (http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/international/compete.htm) was disseminated widely to members of Congress and their staffs in recent months, and the issue has been raised repeatedly in Hill meetings.  During the frenzy of the past days, the Chamber's most senior government affairs professionals pressed vigorously through a multitude of channels for Section 911 to remain untouched.   Following is a summary of the changes prepared by the Senate Finance Committee:   "Amend Section 911 Housing Exclusion and Impose a Stacking Rule and Provide Regulatory Authority to Allow for Geographic Differences [Conference Provision]   "The conference agreement makes three changes to the foreign earned income exclusion and housing allowance.   "First, the income exclusion is indexed for inflation starting in 2006 (rather than 2008 under current law).  "Second, the base housing amount used in calculating the foreign housing cost exclusion in a taxable year is 16% of the amount of the foreign earned income exclusion limitation (instead of the present law 16% of the grade GS-14, step 1 amount).  Reasonable foreign housing expenses in excess of the base housing amount remain excluded from gross income, but the amount of the exclusion is limited to 30 percent of the taxpayer's foreign earned income exclusion. The Secretary is given authority to issue regulations or other guidance providing for the adjustment of this 30% housing cost limitation based on geographic differences in housing costs relative to housing costs in the United States.   "Third, income excluded as either foreign earned income or as a housing allowance is included for purposes of determining the marginal tax rates applicable to non-excluded income.    "The provisions are intended to provide an objective standard to determine the amount that taxpayers working abroad can exclude from income and also to subject such individuals to the same tax rates applicable to individuals living and working in the United States who have the same amount of economic income.  The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation recommended these changes.  The proposal is expected to raise $903 million over 5 years and $2.126 billion over 10 years."   We will be assessing the damage and considering what steps can be taken to ameliorate this setback.  Please stay in touch with us on this important issue. U.S. Chamber of Commerce     www.uschamber.com/international     Investment and Entrepreneurship AmCham organized a business lunch on 2nd March at Namasté Restaurant in Port Louis. The lunch focussed on Investment and Entrepreneurship in Mauritius and guest speakers were Rajesh Jeetah, Minister of Commerce and Industry,and Amedée Darga, Chairman of Enterprise Mauritius.   The speakers discussed opportunities to develop the Mauritian economy. Following is the speech of Minister Jeetah:   First, allow me to thank the American Chamber of Commerce for the invitation extended to me to attend this Business lunch and to address you. I thought we would proceed with speeches as Starter, but we are having them as dessert. Anyway I am delighted to be among you today and I thank the American Chamber of Commerce for this initiative.   Worldwide, Chambers constituted by the business sector are reckoned to play an important role in promoting economic development. They are normally one among the key partners of Governments. Together they help share their expertise to achieve one main objective - economic and social development, through fostering of partnership, promoting investment and encouraging the development of entrepreneurial culture among citizens.   I am given to understand that the American Chamber of Commerce was set up in the wake of the enactment of AGOA. This business instrument aims particularly at strengthening economic relations between the US and the Sub-Saharan African countries. It does more. It has helped to strengthen business relations between Mauritius and the US. These relations, I must emphasize, are centuries old. I am also given to understand that the Chamber, to date, comprises around 182 members. They have interests in a variety of sectors, such as, manufacturing, trading, offshore, financial and ICT.   Ladies and Gentlemen, the theme on which we are to focus today is about Investment and Entrepreneurship. A highly topical subject I would say.   Right away, let me assure each and everyone of you, that this Government will pursue policies that put Investment and Entrepreneurship FIRST. How? You might ask.   One: We are determined to create the best enabling environment that is most conducive to make business expand and prosper. In this process. Chambers like yours, would be called upon to play a major role in assisting us to do that. We will be glad to have the American Chamber of Commerce as our strategic partner.   Second: In many countries, including Mauritius, red tape and excessive bureaucracy are viewed as one of the main obstacles that can impede on Investment and Entrepreneurship. I can confirm that this Government has taken a number of measures to tackle this impediment. Regarding the industry sector, Cabinet has conferred on me the responsibility to chair the Industrial Services Monitoring Cell. Five committees have been set up to deal with issues like Licenses and Permits, Utilities, Finance, Capacity Building and Logistics. I can assure you that the guidelines set and these goals to achieve are clear. We want no kilometric literature or reports on these issues. We want solutions. These committees have also clear deadlines, in terms of timeframe, within which they would have to meet all the commitments undertaken to facilitate businesses in this specific field.   Third: The Prime Minister is himself chairing a Fast Track Committee that supervises all major projects related to different sectors of the economy.   Fourth: An Investment Improvement Committee has been set up at the level of the Ministry of Finance to make recommendations on business facilitation. As a Government we believe that entrepreneurs having business ideas and business opportunities should be strongly supported to pursue their goals. And these are not different from Government's national economic and social policies in the sense that both parties reckoned with the fact that economic development is what we all want to create a better Mauritius.   Ladies and Gentlemen, The relatively lower economic growth in recent years undoubtedly is the result of lower levels of investment in the economy. As you may be aware investment has declined as a percentage of GDP from 23.5 % in 2000 to 21.3% in 2005. Over the same period, private sector investment as a percentage of GDP fell from 17% to 14.7%. It is clear that we have to reverse this trend in order to achieve higher levels of growth. This will in turn impact positively on the standard of living of the whole population.   The country also requires foreign direct investment to sustain its development. Government is conscious of the prerequisites for attracting such investment. Democracy, the rule of law, transparency, good governance and accountability, institutional support, public infrastructure, communications, an efficient public sector in the delivery of rapid and quality services are some of the prerequisites to attract investment, to promote entrepreneurship culture, and to attract FDI.   I must say that Mauritius, over the years, has demonstrated its commitment to deliver on these core issues. I am glad to tell you that there is actually within the business sector a palpable confidence that is encouraging entrepreneurs and investors to make the most of all opportunities now available.   Already you are aware that a series of measures have been implemented to stimulate investment in a number of sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, tourism and IRS. These include investment facilitation, improving access to finance, institutional support and additional incentives and facilities.   A business cannot thrive in the absence of market outlets. Availability of markets, therefore, plays a vital role in supporting investment initiatives. Mauritius as a small country has always relied on international trade for its development.   Trade liberalization has brought to the fore a number of challenges that we are addressing. Enterprise Mauritius is leaving no stone unturned to promote exports and sensitizing entrepreneurs and investors to produce quality products to meet the requirements of more sophisticated clients.   We have also embarked in negotiations with the EU, India and Pakistan with a view to establishing preferential trade agreements. While the preferential trade agreement will enable us to maintain some residual preferences with the EU, in the case of India and Pakistan, it will help us to have preferential market access to the growing market of these countries for a number of our products.   We are also supporting new business pillars. The areas being explored include land-based oceanic products, rum exports, ethanol and its derivatives, agro-processing, sea food processing, clinical research, phyto-pharmaceutical and herbal products, bio-diesel, light engineering, and an entertainment industry and a souvenir industry. I will here appeal to our businessmen to seriously explore opportunities in these areas, in particular in partnership with US investors. Turning to the economic relations with the US, I can say that AGOA was put in place to expand exports from Sub-Saharan countries and attract more US investment in those countries. As far as we are concerned, the non-availability of the third-country fabric derogation is a major obstacle to increasing our exports to the US, particularly when it comes to the Textile & Clothing sector, or rather, our Fashion Industry. I invite our entrepreneurs and investors to keep diversifying our product-base within the manufacturing sector. You are well aware AGOA is not only Textile & Clothing.   Mauritius has a good socio-economic tract record on which we have to build the future. Despite the new challenges ahead, I am convinced that together we would be able to make things happen. The public-private sector partnership should be harnessed if we want to achieve economic development. Government is keen to play its part. And I have absolutely no doubt that the private sector will join us in our national efforts to achieve same.   With these words, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for your attention.    Seminar: "Reforms at Customs - The Latest Update."    A seminar was held on Tuesday 9th May 2006 at Le Labourdonnais Hotel, with guest speaker, Mr. Bert Cunningham, Comptroller of Customs discussing the most recent innovations. A panel consisting of Mr. Daniel Ng, Managing Director of Rogers Logistics, Mr. Sean Hawthorne, Managing Director of KN Mauritius and Mr. Patrice Maury, Managing Director Indian Ocean Logistics, with Mrs. Danielle Wong, Chairman Port Users Council, as moderator followed up with a discussion on logistics and other relevant issues.   Following is Mr. Cunningham's presentation (double click on the presentation poster to view.)                           5th Annual General Meeting       AmCham's 5th AGM was held on Wednesday 15th March 2006 at Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. The guest speaker was Mr. Stephen Schwartz, Chargé D'Affaires a.i.United States Embassy. The Executive Board for Year 2006-2007 is as follows:   President:               Mrs. Aleda Koenig Vice President:        Mr. LJ Updike Treasurer:              Mr. Mukesh Gopal Secretary:              Mr. Guillaume Raffray Advisory Members:   Mr. Maurice Vigier de Latour                             Mr. Kamal Taposeea                             Ms. Melissa Brown Members:               Mr. Stephen Denton                             Mr. Randall Buday                             Mr. Maxime Cherubin                             Mr. Ali Parkar                             Ms. Geeta Nundlall                             Ms. Sheetul Ramburn                             Ms. Mary Anne Philips                             Mr. Roshan Hurlall   Upcoming News & Events      •·         Business Lunch: Tuesday 20th June 2006, 1200-1400 hours, La Bonne Marmite Restaurant, Port Louis.      Theme: Corruption and Anti-money Laundering      Speakers: Mrs. Maistry and Mr. Bussier, ICAC                              Business Letters to the Editor                                                    The editing team welcomes contributions from members on topics of interest to you. Feel free to contact us at info@americanchamber-mauritius.org.                                     Membership Info                                                         Membership Dues for Year 2006 are: Corporate Member -    RS 6,000. Individual Member -     RS 1,500.   This Newsletter is a production of the staff members of the American Chamber of Commerce - Mauritius as a service to all members. All articles included are the property of the authors themselves and/or their affiliates, unless otherwise stated. For further information, please contact:   The American Chamber of Commerce 6th Floor Unicorn House 5, Royal Street, Port Louis, Mauritius Tel: 213 4294 Fax: 212 1853 Email: info@americanchamber-mauritius.org Website:http://www.americanchamber-mauritius.org/       --