Business: Business today

MALL ADDING TENANTS: International Plaza in Tampa has signed up five tenants new to the Tampa Bay area. Three of them will open stores in October: Harry and David, a gourmet food and floral gift store chain from Rogue River, Ore.; Morgan Du Toi, a women's apparel store; and Dry Ice, an accessories and home furnishings store for teens. Z Gallerie, a lifestyle home furnishings store from Gardena, Calif., and Bluenauta, an Italian luxury apparel shop, will open in January.

INVESTORS' CLAIMS REJECTED: A panel of arbitrators for the New York Stock Exchange rejected the claims of 33 victims of a Naples investment scam who said the brokerage firm Morgan Stanley should reimburse them for $24-million in losses plus interest. The panel ordered Morgan Stanley to pay the cost of the lengthy arbitration proceedings, which were held in St. Petersburg, but did not award the victims or their lawyer a dime. The participants in Maricopa Investments wanted Morgan Stanley to be held responsible for failing to detect and inform them of fraud taking place in Maricopa accounts at the brokerage firm. A Morgan Stanley spokesman said the company never recommended Maricopa Investments to any clients. The man behind the scam, David Mobley, is serving a 171/2-year federal prison sentence for fraud and money laundering.

PROGRAM TO BOOST SAVINGS: Black Americans earn more than ever, but many lack investment experience that could help them accumulate more money, consumer advocates said in a report released Thursday. The Consumer Federation of America, Bank of America Foundation and BET.com, an arm of Black Entertainment Television, are starting "Black America Saves" to help wage-earners pursue savings and investment plans by offering free advice and facts.

JACKSONVILLE PORT IS NO. 1: The Port of Jacksonville has become first in the nation for vehicle imports, surpassing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During 2001, Jacksonville handled 579,924 vehicles, an 8 percent increase from the previous year. The Port Authority processed 549,496 vehicles, down 3 percent.

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