1. Cabinet has agreed to the release of the White Paper relating to the proposed revision of the Companies Act, 1984. The White Paper provides for a new model for the Company Law based on the New Zealand Companies Act 1993 and adapted to suit the commercial and legal context of Mauritius. Members of the Public and practitioners will have ample opportunity to consider the proposed changes. Written comments and suggestions on the White Paper should be sent to the Registry of Companies Act not later than the 15 January 2000. A draft Bill will be finalised early next year.
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2. Cabinet has approved the grant of a Pioneer Status Enterprise Certificate to Mr. Michel Lee Shim for the manufacture of laminated plastic woven bags. The project involves an investment of around Rs 15.8 million and will create employment opportunities for some 36 persons.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Bail Bill which is an important step in the implementation of the recommendations made by Lord MacKay for the reform and modernisation of the Judiciary. The object of the Bill is to amend and consolidate the law on the remand or release of persons charged with an offence or arrested on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence.
Provision is made for the setting up of a Bail and Remand Court to deal with matters of bail and the questions related thereto and for apperance to be made and evidence given before that Court by means of live video or television links.
Cabinet has also considered the Public Security Bill which will be introduced by the Prime Minister shortly in the National Assembly. The Bill creates new offences, with appropriate penalties, in relation to terrorism, riot, violent disorder, incitement to racial hatred or possession of firearm and interference with witnesses.
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4. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is proceeding with the appointment of a consultancy firm to carry out the feasibility study and detailed engineering for a new road to bypass the village of Triolet. This bypass is meant to relieve traffic congestion along the existing road through Triolet village and reduce the risk of accidents.
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5. Cabinet has examined the present drought situation prevailing in the country and the measures to ensure an adequate water supply to the population up to the next rainfall season.
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6. Cabinet has been apprised of –
(a) the recommendations contained in the Y2K Contingency Plan and Report produced by Corporation 2000 and endorsed by the National Y2K Task Force;
(b) the general observations and recommendations contained in the Y2K Audit report of Tata Consultancy Services on India;
(c) the assessment of the Y2K readiness for critical sectors carried out by Mr. Stuart Meyer, Consultant from the National Computing Centre, UK. on 10 and 11 November; and
(d) the National Y2K preparedness situation .
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7. Cabinet has been apprised of the position to be adopted by Mauritius in the context of the 3rd WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Seattle, USA from 30 November to 3 December 1999.
The next WTO Ministerial meeting will be of critical importance since it will be setting the parameters that will guide the next round of trade negotiations scheduled to start in year 2000. The meeting will also be called upon to review progress and shortcomings in the functioning of the WTO as an institution and the various agreements operating under it and to suggest the way forward.
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