1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Finance to Rodrigues between the 25 and 27 April in the context of pre-budgetary consultations.
The Minister had working sessions with representatives of various sectors including the Forces Vives, Youth and Trade Unions.
Government has considered various measures which could be introduced to further economic development in Rodrigues, including special incentive to investors to establish industries on the island.
2. Government has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Mauritius Standards Bureau (Amendment) Bill 1999.
The Bill provides for amendments to be made to the MSB Act 1993 to enable Mauritius to be in conformity with the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and also to consolidate the existing provisions of the MSB Act.
3. Cabinet has agreed to the recommendations of the Electoral Commissioner for the delimitation of wards and boundaries in Rodrigues for the election of members to the Rodrigues Island Council, in the context of the setting up of a local Government system. According to those recommendations Rodrigues will be divided into six (6) wards.
4. Cabinet has agreed to proclaim as public beach in the Grand River North West region commonly known as les Sables Noires. The inhabitants of the region and its vicinity will have access to the use of this new public beach which will eventually be provided with amenities.
5. Cabinet has agreed, in principle, to the proposal for the opening of two new Mauritius embassies in Germany and Mozambique with a view to promote our economic and other national interests in those countries and neighbouring regions.
6. Cabinet has agreed to a programme for the proper maintenance of our embassy buildings in various foreign capitals.
7. Cabinet has agreed to the Minister of Tourism and Leisure making regulations under the Pleasure Crafts Act 1993 to provide for a surcharge of 50% payable by pleasure craft operators who do renew their licences in time.
8. Cabinet has agreed to the Minister of Social Security and National Solidarity setting up a Non-Governmental organisation (NGO) Trust Fund by Regulations under the Finance and Audit Act. The NGO Trust Fund will channel all money received from Government to NGOs.
9. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the National Programme of Action (II Phase) for the Development and Protection of children. The programme aims inter alia at reducing infant, child and maternal mortality rate.
10. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius acceding to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and co-operation (OPRC) which was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation in 1990 and which entered into force on 13 May, 1995. The aim of the Convention is to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in preparing for and responding to major oil pollution incidents and to encourage States to develop and maintain an adequate capability to deal with oil pollution emergencies.
11. Cabinet has taken note of a proposal of the Minister of Environment, Human Resource Development & Employment to amend the schedule to the Industrial and Vocational Training Regulations so as to include sixteen new occupational trades in which the IVTB can provide apprenticeships.
12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the missions of –
(i) the Minister of Land Transport, Shipping & Port Development, to the World Bank from 9 to 19 April, 1999 to attend the Supervision Mission. Discussions on Mauritius Port Development and Environment Protection Project. During his mission he visited the World Bank Transport Expo;
(ii) the Minister of Local Government & Minister of Urban and Rural Development to Windhoek, Namibia from 21 to 25 April, 1999 to attend the launching ceremony of "Africities 2000";
(iii) the Minister of Telecommunications & Information Technology to Washington from 14 to 16 April 1999 to attend the 2nd Annual Microsoft Government Leaders’ Conference;
(iv) the Minister of Social Security and National Solidarity to Windhoek, Namibia from 19 to 24 April 1999 to attend the 22nd Ordinary Session of the OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission; and
(v) Hon. V.K. Bojeenauth, Junior Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources, to Nairobi, Kenya from 9 to 10 April 1999 to attend the Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) Economic Committee Meeting.