1. Cabinet has taken note that, in view of the increasing costs of agricultural production and so as to compensate growers for losses due to drought conditions, the Agricultural Marketing Board proposes to increase the prices at which growers both in Mauritius and in Rodrigues deliver local produce to the Board as follows –
|
From (Rs Per Ton) |
To (Rs Per Ton) |
Potatoes |
7200 |
7500 |
Onions from Rodrigues (Local Toupie Variety) |
9800 |
11000 |
Onions from Rodrigues (Other Varieties) |
8300 |
9000 |
High yielding onion variety produced in Mauritius other than the Local Toupie variety |
8300 |
9000 |
The increase in the producer prices will take effect immediately. The retail prices will not be affected.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of a reduction in the price of banana plantlets on sale to the public by Food and Agricultural Research Council from Rs 30 to Rs 5 with immediate effect.
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3. Cabinet has approved the grant of three Export Enterprise Certificates and four Pioneer Status Enterprise Certificates under the Industrial Expansion Act, 1993.
Investment will be made inter-alia in the fields of manufacture of garments, quartz tiles, trophies, shields, medals, souvenirs, and casted decorative items metal fittings for furniture, bathrooms and reconditioning of turbo charges.
The implementation of these projects would create some 354 jobs opportunities and would entail investment amounting to around Rs 76 Million.
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4. Cabinet has taken note of the measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources to control a newly reported aphid known as "Ginava Cupressirora" which is presently attacking cypress trees in Mauritius.
The Forestry Service and the Entomology Division are taking appropriate steps by spraying affected trees as well as unaffected cypress trees over the island. The Ministry also proposes to recruit a Consultant to advise on the best method to control the pest.
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5. Cabinet has been apprised of the result of the analysis of meat sample which was sent to the Central Science Laboratory of Norwich, UK by the Minister of Health and Quality of Life and has noted that the levels of dioxin in different parts of the sample of meat are well within the prescribed limit and therefore do not constitute a health hazard.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to the Minister of Economic Development, Productivity & Regional Development requesting the President to make Regulations under the Statistics Act to enable the Director of Statistics to carry out a Housing Census as from 7 February 2000 to 18 June 2000.
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7. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius applying for an Observer Status with the Commission set up under the Convention on the Conservation of Antartic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The Commission provides a frame work for the protection of living marine resources and the preservation of the ecosystem of the seas surrounding Antarctica.
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8. Cabinet has decided that Mauritius will not participate in the Seminar of the "Association Parlementaire de la Francophonie" to be held in Madagascar from 19 to 21 October as it is our understanding that a French Parliamentarian representing Mayotte, has been invited to this meeting.
Since this Seminar is meant for the countries of the region, it is not acceptable that Mayotte be represented in any manner.
Mauritius pursuant to the OAU decision regards Mayotte as an integral part of the Comoros.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the school terms for the year 2000 in primary and secondary schools.
Classes will resume on Friday 7 January 2000 both in primary and secondary schools and on Thursday 6 January 2000 for new entrants in the primary.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Second OAU-AEC Ministers Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration held in Algiers on 23 and 24 September, 1999. The main purpose of the meeting was to prepare the African position for the 3rd WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled in Seattle, USA from 30 November to 3 December, 1999.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of theoutcome of the last meeting of the SADC Trade Negotiating Forum (TNF) held in Cape Town from 6 to 8 September, 1999 and has agreed to the stand to be adopted by Mauritius at the next Special Meeting of SADC Ministers of Industry and Trade where the negotiations are expected to be concluded.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade in New York and Brussels from 27 September to 5 October 1999. From New York and Bruxelles the Deputy Prime Minister had extensive discussion at high level with several dignitaries /Ministers on the status of the ongoing ACP-EU negotiations on a post-Lomé IV Arrangement.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission led by the Minister of Finance to the Commonwealth Finance Minister’s Meeting in Grand Cayman and to the IMF World Bank Joint Annual Meeting in Washington and the discussions that the delegation had with the Customs Authorities and Crown Agents in London.
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14. Cabinet has agreed to sponsor the candidature of the Hon. Chief Justice Ariranga Pillay for another term of office as member of the Human Rights Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
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15. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Professional Architects Council for the two-year period 1999 – 2001.
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