1.Following the riots which have taken place in the country last Sunday and with a view to reinforce security in the country, Cabinet has been apprised that a series of measures are being taken. Thus Cabinet has decided that the Public Gathering Act will be substantially amended and new offences will be covered; and penalties stiffened for the effective maintenance of law and order. Amongst the other measures the Fort Georges compound is being taken over by the Police Department and henceforth a unit of SMF will be stationed there. Cabinet has further decided that the Government will not proceed with the renovation\upgrading of the George V Stadium as its location poses security risks for the area. An alternative site will be selected for the construction of a new stadium.
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2.Cabinet has agreed to a proposal for the setting up of an Economic Development and National Integration Council. This Council, which will be a consultative body comprising representatives from various sectors, aims at promoting social dialogue among the economic and social partners. It will encourage a greater participation of civil society in the decision-making process and ensure that social integration keeps pace with economic development.
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3.Cabinet has taken note of a proposal of the Minister of Finance to the grant a Pioneer Financial Services Development Certificate under the Development Incentives (Pioneer Financial Services Scheme) Regulations 1998 to MCB Investment Management Co Ltd. The Company will provide service in investment management, pension fund management, investment advice and portfolio and asset management.
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4.Cabinet has agreed to the grant of Export Service Certificates to six companies which will be involved inter alia in the export of textile products, fruits and vegetables, optical products, provision of consultancy services, quality control and quality assurance activities, and pre-shipment inspection. The amount of investment is expected to be around Rs100 Million and about 90 jobs will be created.
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5.Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Housing and Lands and the Ministry for Rodrigues have agreed on a plan of action to carry out an island-wide survey of land tenure and ownership in Rodrigues as from the month of July. This survey will solve a long outstanding problem of lease agreements faced by the inhabitants of Rodrigues and thus assist in the future development of the island.
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6.Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the National Arts Council (Repeal) Bill. The object of the Bill is to repeal the National Arts Council Act 1993 and to provide for the transfer of the assets, rights and obligations of the Council to the Government.
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7.Cabinet has agreed to the Mauritius Telecom hosting the INTELSAT Global Operations Representatives Conference in the year 2000. The Conference will allow INTELSAT Management and the satellite operators and telecommunications administrations to discuss the latest satellite communications operational matters of mutual interest.
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8.Cabinet has taken note of a proposal from the Minister of Health and Quality of Life to promulgate the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations so as to completely ban advertisements through media and at the same time restrict the consumption of cigarettes in public places.
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9.Cabinet has taken note of the various activities to be organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment to mark the World Environment Day on 5 June as decreted by the United Nations. The theme selected for this year is "Our Earth Our Future – Just Save It".
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10.Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister in the First Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, held in Maputo, Mozambique from 3 to 7 May 1999.
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11.Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Industry and Commerce to India from 5 to 13 May 1999, in the context of an investment promotion exercise organised by MEDIA.
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12.Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Social Security and National Solidarity in the meeting of the United Nations Preparatory Committee for the Special Session to review the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development held in New York from 17 to 28 May 1999.
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