1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Investment Promotion Bill. This Bill will replace the Board of Investment Act 2000 and is more in line with the desired objectives of streamlining the legal framework with a view to making better provision for the promotion and facilitation of investment in Mauritius.
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2. Cabinet has approved the grant of a Regional Headquarters Certificate under the Development Incentives (Regional Headquarters Scheme) Regulations 2000 for the provision of, inter-alia, back office administration and general management, business planning and co-ordination of business development in the African region.
The implementation of the project would create some 20 job opportunities and would entail investment amounting to around Rs3 million.
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3. Cabinet has reviewed the project for the construction of the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre and has decided that fresh tenders be launched.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the State Trading Corporation awarding 150,000 metric tons of cement each to ITOCHU Corporation and to Union Maritima International (UMAR) following open tenders launched in November this year for the procurement of a total of 300,000 metric tons of cement for year 2001.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of the contents of a Report on the review of the National Children’s Council carried out by Consultancy Firm, Kemp Chatteris, and has agreed to the implementation of the recommendations contained therein. In this connection, draft legislation is being finalised by a consultant to give effect to the recommendations.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius signing a Cultural Exchange Programme with the Republic of Mozambique for the years 2001-2002 so as to promote exchanges and co-operation in the fields of Arts and Culture between the two countries.
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7. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting the 26th SADC Fisheries Technical Committee Meeting in April 2001.
The meeting will enable member States to be informed of progress achieved in the implementation of fisheries projects in different countries and propose follow-up actions.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of progress achieved so far by the "Police de l’Environment" set up by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Police Department. The anti-littering sensitization campaign is being intensified and will be extended in schools as from next year. Furthermore some 3000 bins will be installed in public places including beaches.
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9. Cabinet has been apprised that the Joint Lenders Meeting held on 6 and 7 December to mobilize funds for the Plaines Wilhems Trunk Sewer Project has been successful. The Financing agencies have pledged to finance the project which consists of two stages and is expected to cost around Rs 4.2 Billion in total.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping to the People’s Republic of China on 27 November 2000 in connection with the launching of the "Mauritius Trochetia", the second passenger cum cargo vessel being constructed in China.
The vessel which is due for delivery by May/June next year will cost approximately Rs 405M, and will be equipped with 52 passenger cabins and be able to carry 165 containers.
The vessel is expected to promote regional trade and engage in inter-island cruise.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of a proposal for the setting up of a Task Force to be chaired by Mr. N. Pem, Director at the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, to look into Special Needs Education and submit recommendations which will serve as a basis for the formulation of a national strategy.
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12. Cabinet has been apprised of the reconstitution of the Board of Governors of the University of Technology, Mauritius for 2000-2003 with Mr Fakhru Currimjee as President.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of –
(i) the Minister of Arts and Culture to Maputo, Mozambique on 29 and 30 November, 2000, where he attended the SADC Inter-Ministerial Conference on the place and role of Culture in SADC Regional Integration Agenda;
the Minister of Fisheries to Western Australia from 25 November to 3 December 2000 to familiarize with the system of management of Marine Parks and Fisheries there; and
(iii) the Minister of Environment to the Hague, Netherlands from 13 to 26 November 2000 where he attended the sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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14. Cabinet has been apprised of developments regarding arrangements being made for the celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius and the 9th anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius in year 2001. In this connection, two Committees, namely a Ministerial Committee and a Committee of Officials have been set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Arts and Culture and the Permanent Secretary of that Ministry, respectively to look amongst others into the activities to be organised, the venue and the theme.
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15. Cabinet has been apprised of the contents of the programme for the Cultural Show to be held at Cité Vallijee on Friday 22 December, 2000 in the context of the celebration of Christmas Festival at national level.
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