1. The Prime Minister and Mrs Ramgoolam will, on the invitation of H.E. Didier Ratsiraka, President of Madagascar, attend the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Madagascar. The Prime Minister will leave on Sunday 25 June and will be back on 27 June.
On the personal invitation of President Chiluba of Zambia, the Prime Minister, in his capacity as Chairman of COMESA, will inaugurate the Zambia International Trade Fair. This is a major commercial and industrial event for that country and the South Africa region. The Prime Minister will leave for Zambia on Thursday 29 June and will be back on 2 July.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the Report of the delegation that proceeded to Rome for a face to face meeting with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the context of the review that was being conducted by the FATF to identify jurisdictions with serious deficiencies in their anti-money laundering regimes.
Yesterday 22 June, the FATF released its eleventh annual report and its report on non co-operative countries and territories. Out of the 29 countries being reviewed, the FATF Report has identified 15 countries as non-cooperative in the fight against money laundering. Mauritius is not on that list.
The passing of the Economic Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Bill last week has been an important determinant in convincing the FATF that Mauritius, in addition to its existing laws and administrative practices in the financial services sector, is well equipped in the fight against money laundering.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the following Bills into the National Assembly –
· (i) the Additional Remuneration Bill 2000, to provide for the payment as from 1 July 2000 of an additional remuneration to all employees of the private sector to compensate them for an increase in the cost of living; and
(ii) the End of Year Gratuity Bill 2000. This Bill provides for the payment of an end of year bonus equivalent to one month basic wage or salary to workers in the private sector who are not governed by any Remuneration Order.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a Fisheries Development Certificate to King Fisher Ltd for an annual production of about 60 tonnes of sword fish, using surface longline fishing techniques. The promoters of the company are two gentlemen from Rodrigues. The project would necessitate investment of around Rs 3 M and create employment opportunities for 10 persons in Rodrigues.
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5. In relation to the privatisation of Mauritius Telecom, Cabinet had decided to open discussions and seek clarifications with the highest bidder, France Telecom. The discussions will be conducted through a Committee chaired by the Financial Secretary including the members of the Privatisation Committee, the Solicitor General, the Financial Adviser of Government, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Mauritius Telecom and their advisers.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to a licence being issued to a local fishing company to effect a fishing campaign in the waters of St Brandon with basket traps. This decision will allow the employment of fishermen from Bambous Virieux who had previously worked in St. Brandon.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the proposal of the Ministry of Telecommunication & Information Technology, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Business Council, to organise a Conference on "Telecommunications and E-Services in Africa: Investment Opportunities for the transformation of Economics" to be held from 26 to 28 July, 2000 at Radisson Plaza Hotel, Pointe aux Piments. Lord Cairns, Chairman of CBC will address the meeting.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of –
· (i) the 88th Session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland from 29 May to 15 June. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Labour & Industrial Relations; and
(ii) the 23rd Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Women 2000, Gender Equality, Development and Peace held at the UN Headquarters, New York from 5 to 9 June. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Women, Family Welfare & Child Development.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the MTPA Board for the year 2000/2001 with Mr Armand Maudave as Chairman.
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