1. Cabinet has agreed to the Business Parks of Mauritius Ltd (BPML) acquiring from Mon Trésor Mon Desert (MTMD) 3035A19 of land situated in the Highlands factory area as provided for in the Illovo Agreement for various development projects.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to consultations being held on the draft National Economic and Social Council Bill aiming at setting up an Economic and Social Council which will foster consensus building through dialogue among relevant social partners and help address economic and social issues facing the nation. The Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs will hold a press conference on Monday 24 September during which copies of the Bill will be distributed to interested parties.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the draft Labour (Amendment) Bill which aims at removing the ceiling of Rs 72,000 to ensure that henceforth, all the provisions of the Labour Act apply to employees, irrespective of grades and wage levels, in the private sector, parastatal bodies and local authorities.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius, in collaboraltion with UNESCO, hosting a Preparatory Meeting of the International Institute for Inter-cultural Dialogue and Peace, in October 2001. The main objects of the Institute are to promote reciprocal knowledge and interaction between cultures and civilizations and to further scientific research in the field of culture and related issues towards the development of policies, strategies and programmes for inter-cultural development.
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5. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity & Senior Citizen Welfare and Reform Institutions, in collaboration with UNICEF, carrying out a national survey on children with disabilities with a view to formulating a National Policy and National Plan of Action in favour of disabled children.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to the re-introduction of Ayurvedic medicine on a pilot basis at L’Escalier and Belvedère Medi-Clinics and the rehabilitation of the herbarium at Long Mountain Hospital. NGOs, including the Human Service Trust, may however continue to provide such services to the public.
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7. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Co-operatives and Handicraft setting up a Specialised Handicraft Training Centre at Bois Marchand, Terre Rouge with a view to ensuring a systematic development of the handicraft sector through the upgrading of skills of artisans.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the setting up of a Task Force under the chairmanship of the Minister of Industry, Commerce and International Trade to address the areas of concerns of the non-EPZ sector and prepare an action plan to enhance productivity, competitiveness and export capabilities of the enterprises concerned.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the Action Plan 2001-2005 for the Export Processing Zone Labour Welfare Fund which aims at further consolidating the welfare of the workers employed in export enterprises including their families.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of action being taken by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations to review and modernise the structure of the labour administration services of the Ministry so as to make it more responsive to the needs of the concept of decent work as advocated by the International Labour Oganisation.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of –
(i) the Board of Trustees of the Mauritian Cultural Centre with Professor Vinesh Yogindranathsingh Hookoomsing as Chairperson;
(ii) the Board of Trustees of the Mauritius Marathi Cultural Centre with
Mr Danirow Bhiwajee as Chairperson;
(iii) the Board of Trustees of the Mauritius Telegu Cultural Centre with
Mr Narainsamy Sanyasi as Chairperson;
(iv) the Private Secondary School Authority Board with Mrs Nundita Ramdewar as Chairperson; and
(v) the Board of the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of –
(i) the outcome of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in South Africa in August/September 2001 which was attended by a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation;
(ii) the mission of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research to Paris where he explored possibilities of collaboration with the "Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie" and to Geneva where he attended the 46th Session of the International Conference on Education organised by the International Bureau of Education, UNESCO;
(iii) the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation and the Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs in the Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers of Foreign Affairs and those responsible for Finance and Planning held in Blantyre, Malawi on 13 September 2001; and
(iv) the visit of the Minister of Youth and Sports to Rodrigues from 11 to 12 September 2001 in the context of the National Youth Achievement Award Scheme.