REPLACEMENT OF NATIONAL CURRENCIES OF THE EURO AREA

The public is hereby informed that with effect from 1 January 2002, Euro banknotes and coins will be introduced in replacement of the National Currencies of the member states of the Euro area.

From 1 January 2002, there will be a maximum period of two months for the withdrawal of the national currencies of the member states of the Euro area, during which time they can still be used. As from 1 March 2002, Euro banknotes and coins will be the only currency accepted in the 12 countries of the Euro area.

The 12 national central banks of the Euro area will exchange, free of charge, national banknotes for Euro banknotes for a minimum period of ten years and national coins for Euro coins for a minimum period of two years.

Members of the public are accordingly advised to take the necessary precautions when dealing with the national currencies of European Union members whose currencies will be swapped for the Euro as from 1 January 2002. A list of those currencies is provided below:

Country	Currency
Austria Belgium Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Portugal Spain	Austrian Schilling (ATS) Belgian Franc (BEF) Finnish Markka (FIM) French Franc (FRF) Deutsche Mark (DEM) Greek Drachma (GRD) Irish Pound (IEP) Italian Lira (ITL) Luxembourg Franc (LUF) Netherlands Guilder (NLG) Portuguese Escudo (PTE) Spanish Peseta (ESP)

BANK OF MAURITIUS

05 JULY 2001