Pacific

French Polynesia minister appalled at Digicel vote

14:23 pm on 8 October 2010

French Polynesia's external trade minister, Teva Rohfritsch, has strongly criticised the opposition politician whose bill was adopted to stop the mobile phone company Digicel from entering the market.

Jacqui Drollet's bill won the backing of 32 of the 57 assembly members which means that foreign investment in the sector may not exceed 35 percent.

Digicel planned to fund its entry into Tahiti's market with 80 percent foreign capital.

Mr Rohfritsch says Mr Drollet sends a suicidal picture of the territory to the international community, showing that the rules of the games can be changed whenever.

He accuses Mr Drollet of reneging on his own signature authorising investments last year.