1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the new Jewellery Bill. The object of the Bill is to make provision, in line with international standards, for markings of jewellery. It also provides for better regulation and control of the manufacture, sale and importation of jewellery made of gold or its alloy. This will give a boost to the development of a quality jewellery manufacturing sector in Mauritius.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a Hotel Development Certificate to LVN Enterprises Ltd. for the construction of a hotel at Mon Choisy. The project consists of a high class hotel of 64 rooms with restaurants, boutiques, conference room and a fully equipped indoor games room. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 106m and will create employment opportunities for some 80 persons.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of Leisure Development Certificates to:-
(i) Amusement Development Ltd. The project consists of a wide range of leisure activities including carousels, electronic games and bowling. The total investment is around Rs 30 m and some 150 people will be employed;
(ii) Alexair Maurice Ltee. The company will organise air guided tours on board of a Cessna 207 aircraft which will operate from the SSR International Airport. Total investment in the project is estimated to about Rs 16m and 7 persons will be employed on a full time basis;
(iii). Putters Paradise Ltd. The promoters of the project will set up a Miniature 18-hole synthetic Golf Course with associated amenities and facilities in Rodrigues. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 3m and 6 persons will be employed. This project is expected to give a boost to development activities in Rodrigues.
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4. Cabinet has taken note of the Food Regulations which the Minister of Health and Quality of Life is proposing to make by virtue of section 18 of the Food Act passed in the National Assembly in May 1998. It is recalled that the Food Act and its Regulations is a new and consolidated version of all existing legislation regarding food and have been worked out according to international norms and standards. This is a major piece of regulation to put our food control sector on modern lines, such as the consumers of a modern society which Mauritius has become, can expect.
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5. Cabinet has agreed to a bilateral Trade Agreement being established between the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of Zanzibar with a view to having closer economic co-operation between the two countries.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of bilateral air services talks between Mauritius and Italy held in Port Louis on 12 and 13 October, 1999. The designated airline of Mauritius has been authorised to operate to Milan, in addition to Rome. Operations to Milan will give a further boost to our tourism sector as our airline will better serve Northern Italy and tap the growing tourist market in that region.
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7. Cabinet has taken note that the 5th Meeting of the British Mauritian Fisheries Commission (BMFC) will be held in Mauritius from 29 November to 1 December, 1999.
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8. Cabinet has decided that the Ministry of Youth and Sports should contract out the maintenance of the mechanical and electrical installations of all swimming pools, namely Serge Alfred, Le Pavillon and Souvenir.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Minister for Reform Institutions at the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference held in Durban from 10 to 15 October, 1999.
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10. Cabinet has taken note that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will organise a co-ordination and planning seminar on the upgrading of Radiation Protection Infrastructure in Africa in Mauritius from 15 to 19 November, 1999.
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11. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Education & Scientific Research, the Mauritius Institute of Education and the University of Reunion will be jointly organising an International seminar on "Vivre et penser l’interculturel aujourd’hui" at the Mauritius Institute of Education from 3 to 5 November, 1999.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Sixth World Hindi Conference which was held in London from 14 to 18 September, 1999. Mauritius was represented by an official delegation led by our High Commissioner in London.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare in the Plenary Meetings of the United Nations General Assembly devoted to the follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons in New York on 4 and 5 October, 1999.
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14. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Fisheries and Co-operatives on the 5th ICA Asia-Pacific Co-operative Minister’s Conference held in Beijing, China from 11 to 16 October 1999.
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