1. Cabinet has been apprised of the incidence of drought in the North and the West of the island and the prospects for the 2000 sugar crop, particularly in the drought stricken areas and also of action being initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources for the rehabilitation of these affected areas.
In this connection, the MSIRI, in collaboration with the FSC and the SIF has been requested to carry out a survey on the status of the fields in the factory areas concerned. This survey will enable a plan of action and financial package for the rehabilitation of the affected areas.
Action is also being taken to rehabilitate the La Ferme Feeder Canal, Canals Villebague, Massilia and Bathurst, for better water management for irrigation purposes.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to a decision to increase the minimum paid share capital of existing local insurance companies from the present Rs 15 million to Rs 20 million as from 1 July 2000 and to Rs 25 million as from 1 July 2001. New companies will have to meet a minimum paid-up share capital of Rs 25 million on registration. This measure will strengthen the financial base of insurance companies for the better protection of policy holders.
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3. Government has decided to set up a Committee to look into the decentralisation of Office accommodation and the rationalisation of use of Office space for public services. This follows a survey carried out on rented Government buildings which points out that the amount paid as rent has been going up constantly over the years. Furthermore it is noted that this situation has arisen as a result of the fact that no sufficient investment has been made in the past for the construction of Office buildings.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to a joint project between the Government and the Municipal Council of Curepipe for the erection of a life-size bronze statue of late Sir Gaëtan Duval on horse back in the garden of the Municipal Council facing St. Thérèse church. The statue is expected to be in place by October this year.
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5. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a Leisure Development Certificate to the firm Bibounet Ltée. for the operation of merry-go rounds in commercial areas, public places and parks. The promoters are two French Nationals who will be investing an amount of Rs 10 Million.
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6. Cabinet has approved the grant of 2 Export Enterprise Certificates and 1 Pioneer Status Enterprise Certificate under the Industrial Expansion Act, 1993. The implementation of the projects would create some 80 job opportunities and would entail investment amounting to around Rs 23 million.
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7. Following an appeal from the Under-Secretary for Disarmament Affairs of the United Nations, Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius making a contribution of US $5,000 to the Trust Fund for the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa showing our strong commitment to the promotion of peace and disarmament, particularly in Africa.
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8. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a Housing Development Certificate to Apavou Immobilier Ltée, for the construction of 49 units at Le Hochet, Terre Rouge, out of which 15 units will be reserved in favour of low income families.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the 7th Special Meeting of SADC Ministers of Industry and Trade held in Pretoria from 17 to 18 December, 1999. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Economic Development, Productivity & Regional Development.
Cabinet has further agreed to Mauritius hosting the High Level Committee on Rules of Origin comprising representatives of the private sector and Government officials early this year.
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10. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the Ministry of Arts & Culture participating in the 4th Edition of the "Jeux de la Francophonie" , which also comprises a cultural component, scheduled for August 2001 in Canada.
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11. Cabinet has been apprised that the Ministry of Arts & Culture in collaboration with the African Cultural Centre was finalising a list of activities including cultural programmes in the context of the celebration of the 165th Anniversary of the abolition of slavery on 1 February.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of –
(i) the official visit of the Minister of Women, Family Welfare and Child Development to India from 20 to 30 December 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the National Women Entrepreneur Council with the National Small Industries Corporation of India to provide for the training and transfer of technology to benefit women entrepreneurs; and
(ii) the First Southern African Regional Consultation on the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development held in Durban, South Africa on 7 and 8 December, 1999.
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