1. Cabinet has taken note of the progress report on the Rehabilitation Programme following Cyclone Dina and that:-
(a) the DBM has approved 1282 applications for loan from Planters for a total of Rs 39.9 m;
(b) the Agricultural Marketing Board will import seeds for hydroponic production and sell them at cost price; and
(c) the Belle Vue Sugar Estate is distributing scum to small planters.
2. Cabinet has taken note of the cases of intoxication of school children by drifts of pesticides spread in the vegetable fields adjoining schools and of the measures taken by the AREU and the Pesticides Control Board to prevent recurrence in the future.
3. Cabinet has taken note that the 5th Regional Assembly of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) for Africa, organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Co-operatives in collaboration with the Mauritius Co-operative Union, will be held in Mauritius in September 2002. The aims of the Regional Assembly are to discuss issues relating to and devise appropriate strategies for the development of the co-operative movements of the region.
4. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the International Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds, also known as the Kimberley Process.
5. Cabinet has taken note that the Acting Prime Minister has transmitted a message of sympathy to the Indian Authorities following the burning of the train in Gujarat where 58 passengers perished.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the situation in Madagascar was being followed on a day-to-day basis and the required measures were being taken.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Advisory Council under the chairmanship of Mr D. Samfat.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the missions of:-
(a) the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources to Brussels where he led a lobbying mission on burden sharing in the context of the EBA initiative and to Rome where he attended the 25th Session of the Governing Council of IFAD;
(b) the Minister of Environment to Colombia, where he attended the Seventh Special Session of UNEP Governing Council/Third Global Ministerial Environment Forum (UNEPGC/GMEF); and
(c) the Minister of Information Technology and Communications to Europe to sensitize potential investors on the ICT facilities available in Mauritius with a view to attracting the delocalisation of Call Centres.
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