1.Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the National Action Plan on Asbestos prepared by the Technical Committee for the management and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in Mauritius and in Rodrigues.
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2.Cabinet has taken note that the Board of Investment has, between 17 September to 28 October 2002, approved five new projects in the industrial sector, health sector and ICT sector. These projects will involve investment of Rs181.1 million, including Foreign Direct Investment of about Rs150 million and will create some 212 new jobs.
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3.In line with the Master Plan for the development of Bel Ombre, Cabinet has taken note that development projects in that region by three hotel groups will soon start.
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4.Cabinet has taken note of the recent recruitment of Mauritian nationals by a number of organisations in the Gulf countries, especially in the hotel and airline sectors.
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5. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of -
(i) the Hindi Speaking Union (Amendment) Bill which aims at amending the Hindi Speaking Union Act to allow the transfer of responsibilities of the Union to the Ministry of Arts and Culture; and
(ii) the Business Registration Bill which provides for the registration of, and the issue of a business registration card to persons carrying on business in Mauritius.
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6.Cabinet has taken note that -
(a) the 65th Session of the "Fonds de Solidarité Africain" will be held in Mauritius in October 2003. The objective of the Fund is to provide guarantee for loans and debentures issued in connection with investment projects in Member States and financial support by way of interest subsidy or by facilitating the rescheduling of loans contracted; and
(b) the Second Session of the Bi-Annual Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum will be held in Mauritius in November 2002. The main theme of the meeting will be the "Role of Parliament in Poverty Reduction".
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7.Cabinet has agreed to the organisation in 2003 of an international event to commemorate the bicentenary of the presence and stay in Mauritius of two illustrious navigators, viz. Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, who, during their expeditions, made scientific discoveries which produced major advances in anthropology, botany, zoology, oceanography and hydrography.
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8.Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of an Ombudsperson for Children, based on the Norwegian model, to inter-alia protect the interests of children and strengthen the safety of children under the law.
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9.Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the missions of -
(i) the Prime Minister to Lebanon from 18 to 20 October 2002, where he attended the "Sommet de la Francophonie"; and
(ii) the Minister of Public Utilities to India from 23 to 28 October 2002, where he participated in the 3rd International Combined Heat and Power and Decentralised Energy Symposium and the USAID International Conference on Bagasse Cogeneration.
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10.Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of -
(i) the Local Government Service Commission under the chairmanship of Mr Maurice Babet;
(ii) the Tribunal of the Industrial Property Office with Mrs Lovania Devina Ouma Pertab as Chairperson; and
(iii) the Standards Council under the chairmanship of Dr Jean Claude Autrey.
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11.Cabinet has taken note of the recent mission of the US Advance Team to review arrangements in connection with the organisation of the 2nd US-SSA Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum to be held in Mauritius in January 2003.
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12.Cabinet has taken note of developments on the setting up in Mauritius of a private Dental College and Hospital and Oral Research Institute by R.F. Gandhi A.K. Trust.
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