Mauritius Duty Free Paradise re-tenders supply contract

Tina Milton

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The duty-free operator has re-issued an RFP for its supply contract

Mauritius Duty Free Paradise (MDFP) has re-tendered the supply contract for liquor, tobacco, confectionery and beauty products. MDFP operates the duty-free stores at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport and at Plaine Corail on Rodrigues island through Rodrigues Duty Free Paradise. The company originally launched the tender in July 2006.

MDFP CEO Shakeel Dyall told Ravenfox.com: “We originally launched a tender in July 2006 but we were not in a good position to take the decision then. The RFP is practically the same but there is more of a focus on financing product training.”

Bidders for the two-year contract must be able to offer competitive prices relative to those for similar products at the international airports of Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, London Heathrow and Frankfurt. Selected suppliers also must be willing to participate in the refurbishment of MDFP shops in arrivals and departures.

Incumbent Gebr Heinemann held the contract until March and this has since been extended to September 30. Flemingo International and Alpha Asia are believed to be among the interested bidders.

The deadline for bids is August 31 and MDFP expects to announce the award by the end of September, when the current contract held by Gebr Heinemann will expire.

MDFP is a privately-owned company with airport authority Airports of Mauritius and State Investment Corporation as its stakeholders. MDFP was incorporated in 2002, after the departure of World Duty Free. Its gross sales turnover for the financial year ended June 30 2006 was €31m ($41m).