Public Company: Gopee’s Real Estate World

Last Tuesday, Ehsan Juman’s calm prevailed over Phokeer’s provocation. The Labour MP was able to obtain important and disturbing information about Avinash Gopee’s dealings with the government.

Even before Ehsan Juman asked absent Finance Minister Sunil Bholah on June 25 to get details of the location rented by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the speaker warned him: “MP Juman! I think you’ll need my guidance this time.” You should know that Sooroojdev Phokeer wants to offer his “guide” The same MP was asked in a previous question about the country’s lack of foreign currency, but Juman objected to him “I don’t need your guidance”.

Nevertheless, we learned from Minister Bholah that the lucky owner who got the FSC contract is PSH Investment Ltd, which rented “four to five floors” at 7 Exchange Square Building in Ebène for Rs4,655,150 per month. This is a lot of money for PSH Investment Ltd, which is owned by none other than Vinash, aka Avinash Gopee, a close friend of Lakwizinn who serves as chairman and director of several public institutions. Ehsan Juman prepared to ask his first question, politely saying: “Thank you, Mr. President…” When Fokker sensed the danger, he shouted: “No, I didn’t give you the floor! No ‘thank you’! Why say ‘thank you’ for no reason?” And once again tried his new technique to interrupt and destabilize the deputy: “Let me guide you this time. You need my guidance now.” What is his advice?

The speaker is wrong

“My advice is, honourable members, the minister is not the de facto finance minister. Therefore, you are only entitled to ask questions that are relevant to what he has answered, what he has replied to and what you have raised on the agenda.” Phokeer does not cite any standing orders. In fact, it has never been forbidden to ask additional questions to the substitute minister, who sometimes answers as many as he can. Phokeer has just introduced a new procedure. Most seriously, however, Phokeer, who is no doubt keen to block information about this embarrassing issue at all costs, has miserably failed to assert that Bholah is not the minister in charge of the FSC! Juman’s protests will have no effect, Phokeer insists: “What are you talking about?…Don’t ask! You always want to have the last word. Stop asking you! Let’s move on to the next question!”

Ehsan Juman did not back down and when asked the next question he politely stepped in. But we sensed an irony: “Sir, please explain. Mr Speaker, regarding the minister you mentioned, he is a de facto minister. The Financial Services Committee falls under his purview.” And with equal respect and naivety add: “So, I don’t understand your guidance.” Meanwhile, Fokker must have been informed of his mistake, and he was shy but determined not to lose face: “Okay!…Well, if FSC is under Bholah’s department, then your question should be related to the main issue.” Ending triumphantly:“That’s my guide.”

According to this, we learned that Mr. Gopee’s Exchange Square 7 building had been rented to FSC since January, paying a monthly rent of Rs. 4.6 million, but six months later, the building is still unoccupied. Why? We vaguely understand that the office with a monthly rent of Rs. 4.6 million is vacant and we have to wait for FSC to arrange furniture and equipment there.

There is also SBM

SBM has also rented or acquired several floors of the Gopee building in Ébène. A massive employee movement is underway, from the SBM building in Port Louis to Ébène. We are discussing an equally massive renovation project of the SBM tower. Whether the renovation is justified or not, one thing is certain: Gopees wins every time. What is his secret? We asked a very reliable source. His answer: “Ask the Gopees who’s behind this.”

Parking fee Rs.5.4 million

If FSC did not issue a press release after offering a lease for four or five floors to the building owned by Gopee, on the other hand, it has issued a press release on October 18, 2021 regarding the leasing of parking spaces for Gopee by Ébène CarPark Ltd. The price per year is Rs 5,425,200. We do not know who is behind this company.

The same is true for the Education Bureau

We learned on June 20, 2023 (B/754) that the Economic Development Board (EDB) is also a client of Gopee’s PSH Investment Ltd. It is paying Rs 3.59 million per month for 5,000 square meters of office space. But unlike the premises rented by PSH Investment Ltd from FSC, the premises rented from EDB are “fully equipped”, including parking fees and custodian fees.