Kiran Juwaheer, Vivo Energy: “New Depot for Fuel”

> How is the new company Vivo Energy, Kiran Juwaheer? 
Vivo Energy is doing very well. It's been a year that Shell has become Vivo Energy, and the transition went very well. We kept our promise in investment projects. 2012 was the year in which we have invested the most. 

> How much are these investments? 
It has invested about Rs 240 million last year. These are long-term projects. We have, for example, invested in service stations, networking systems, storage and logistics, among others. We also renewed our barge. All this was done in order to allow Vivo Energy to grow and develop better. 

> How are things at the competition? 
The industry in general is doing well. It is very competitive, I must admit. 2012 has not only seen the entry on stage of Vivo Energy, but also that of Engen who replaced Caltex. These are new companies with new aspirations and it is better for the competition. 

> Do you understand the recent increase in fuel prices in Mauritius? 
We are not producers of petroleum products and therefore we have no choice but to suffer the vagaries of the international market. It is true that the changes occurring in the international market are not reflected immediately on the local market, especially with the price stabilization system. But in the long term, it is here that prices reflect world market. 

Some countries keep prices artificially but sooner or later, 'the customer country, and the day we will have to adjust, it will be dramatic. It is healthy to have periodic adjustments as is the case in Mauritius. 

And now, we must concede that prices on the international rising slowly but surely. As operators, we were able to obtain an adjustment of margins was much deserved, although we would have liked them more consistent. 

> What will be the flagship project for 2013? 
Industry, that is to say, all operators working on a project to develop a system to store 15,000 tonnes of petrol Red Sea. This is a joint repository that will build. With demand growing, we need more days of storage. This deposit will give us more flexibility and security.