Debt - external: $1.9 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $42 million (1997)

Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Currency code: MUR

Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 27.900 (January 2001), 26.250 (2000), 25.186 (1999), 22.993 (1998), 21.057 (1997), 17.948 (1996)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Mauritius Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 223,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 37,000 (1997)

Telephone system: general assessment: small system with good service