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2. Following the election of Mauritius as a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council for the two-year term 2001 – 2002, Cabinet has been informed of the setting up of a United Nations Security Council Special Cell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation. This special cell will deal with issues raised at the Security Council and provide relevant inputs and make proposals on the stand Mauritius would adopt on specific issues.
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3. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of –
(i) the National Committee of the National Women’s Council for the years 2001 and 2002;
(ii) the National Committee of the National Children’s Council; and
(iii) the Council of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for the period 2000 – 2003. The Council will be under the chairmanship of Professor Hansraj Mathur.
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4. Cabinet has been apprised of the outcome of the following overseas missions -
(i) a delegation led by the Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs attended a High level Consultative Meeting on the OECD harmful tax competition initiative held in Barbados on 8 and 9 January. The object of the Meeting was to facilitate constructive dialogue between member countries on the issue of harmful tax competition with regard to the drawing up by the OECD of a list of Tax Havens;
(ii) the Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs also led a tripartite delegation to Paris on 11 and 12 January to study the legislative framework, role, structures, functioning and overall experience of the French Conseil Economique et Social in the context of the creation of a National and Social Development Council in Mauritius;
(iii) the Minister of Youth and Sports effected an official visit to Western Australia recently where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Western Australia to provide the framework for the sustained development of sports in general. He also met top officials in the fields of sports; and
(iv) the Minister of Youth and Sports attended the 18th General Assembly of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa from 7 to 8 December 2000.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of positive developments in the case of squatters occupying NHDC housing units at Richelieu.
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6. Cabinet has noted that in connection with the Study on the Integrated National Transport Strategy, a brainstorming session among Ministers has been scheduled for Monday 22 January, 2001. It will be followed by a meeting with the Consultant and a representative of the World Bank scheduled for Saturday 27 January . A meeting with bus companies and trade unions will also be organised thereafter.
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