1. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a high level Committee of Officials under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service to examine the recommendations contained in the preliminary report on the Decentralised System of Government in Rodrigues submitted by Justice R. Ahnee.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of -
(i) the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South East Asia which aims at protecting, conserving, replenishing and recovering marine turtles and their habitats, based on the best scientific evidence, taking into account the environmental, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the signatory States;
(ii) an Interest-Free Loan Agreement of 20 million Yuan (approximately Rs 65 million) with the People’s Republic of China for project financing; and
(iii) a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation between the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China in the field of training of professional procuratorial staff and exchange of documentation of mutual interest.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting –
(i) a Ministerial Meeting for Small States in March 2002 with a view to developing a common strategy on trade, financial, environmental and other relevant issues which would improve the bargaining strength of Small States in international fora and vis-à-vis international trade and financial organisations;
(ii) the Regional Co-operative Development Co-ordinating Committee Meeting of the Regional Office of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in August/September 2001 aimed at preparing the ICA Ministers meeting scheduled for next year; and
(iii) a meeting of experts of the "Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Ocean Indien" (CJSOI) from 20 to 22 June 2001 to review the programme of activities of the CJSOI for the period January to June 2001, and to look into anti-doping and fair play campaigns.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of The Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill with a view to providing for more severe punishment of offenders using acid or other corrosive substances to inflict injuries upon their victims.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of –
(a) the Second International Conference on Non-Trade Concerns (NTCs) in Agriculture held in Mauritius from 28 to 31 May 2001 and organised by the European Commission, in collaboration with the Governments of Mauritius, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea. The Conference focussed on the main concerns common to most countries and economies, that is, rural development, food security and protection of the environment; and
(b) the Tenth Session of the SADC Committee of Ministers for Culture, Information and Sport held at the International Conference Centre, Grand Baie on 30 May 2001. The Committee adopted a number of resolutions including the setting up of a fund for cultural activities, the development of a Protocol on Culture and the organisation of a SADC Dance Festival in Harare in September next.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of mission of the Minister of Women’s Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare to Maputo from 21 to 26 May 2001 where she participated in the meeting of the SADC Ministers responsible for Gender/Women’s Affairs.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of –
(a) the Farmer’s Service Corporation Board for the year 2001-2002, under the chairmanship of Mr Lajputh Bundhoo; and
(b) the Mauritius Sugar Authority Board with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources as Chairperson.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the new EU Sugar Régime which will be applicable from 2001/2002 to 2005/2006 and which contains provision governing inter alia the allocation of quotas to each EU Member States, the price of raw and white sugar, the arrangement for the marketing of the Sugar Protocol and SPS Sugar and the duties leviable on sugar not benefitting from preferential arrangements.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the position regarding the construction of a road to link Rose Hill to the Motorway M1 at Trianon to, inter alia, serve the Cybercity Project at Ebene.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the official delivery, on 21 May 2001, of the vessel "Mauritius Trochetia" to the Government of Mauritius and the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd by the Chinese Authorities at the Hudong Ship yard, Shanghai.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the proposed construction of a new complex at Pointe aux Sables to house the Fisheries Training Centre, an Exhibition Hall, a Resource Information Office, the Headquarters of the Fisheries Protection Service including a model Fisheries Post and a jetty for research and training vessels.
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12. Cabinet has noted that athletes who have recently won medals at the 12th African Boxing Championship held in Mauritius and the African Cycling Championship held in South Africa would be rewarded under the Cash Prize Scheme.
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