Three shortlisted for Mauritius Duty Free Paradise supply contract

Tina Milton

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Gebr Heinemann, Aelia and Alpha Asia-Flemingo International are the three frontrunners to take to duty-free supply contract at Mauritius Duty Free Paradise

Mauritius Duty Free Paradise (MDFP) is in the process of evaluating bids from Gebr Heinemann, Aelia and Alpha Asia-Flemingo International for its supply contract. Heinemann held the contract until March and this has since been extended to September 30. The deadline for bids was August 31 and MDFP expects to award the contract imminently.

MDFP re-tendered the supply contract for liquor, tobacco, confectionery and beauty products earlier this year. It operates the duty-free stores at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport and at Plaine Corail on Rodrigues island through Rodrigues Duty Free Paradise.

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 must also be willing to participate in the refurbishment of MDFP shops in arrivals and departures.

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).