1. Cabinet has taken note of the mission of the Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs to Comoros, where he attended the Extraordinary Meeting of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Council of Ministers on 30 and 31 October 2003, and has taken cognizance that -
(a) a 'Comité des Sages’ set up to reflect on the future strategic orientations of the organization and on the strengthening of the Secretariat would come forward with a comprehensive report for consideration at the next Council meeting;
(b) there was consensus on the holding of the next Summit of the IOC in Comoros next year, subject to general elections being held as scheduled, and a return to normal conditions there;
(c) Mr W. Bertile, the Secretary-General intends to submit his resignation at the beginning of next year and consultations had started for his replacement.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the launching of the St Felix Integrated Tourism and Leisure Development Scheme on 27 November 2003. Proposals for the construction of hotels have been received from St Felix SE in partnership with Ananda Resorts of the Oberoi Group and from Golden Lease Ltd, owners of Sheraton Hotels.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that following the meeting of the Policy Intervention Committee on Textiles (PICT) chaired by the Prime Minister on 5 November 2003, the Minister of Industry and International Trade met representatives of Industrial Support Institutions, namely EPZDA, MIDA and SMIDO to discuss proposals for the implementation of the Report of Textile Emergency Support Team(TEST). These Institutions have agreed to recruit consultants in each discipline and to put the services of the experts at the disposal of the TEST as follows -
MIDA - International Marketing
EPZDA - Production Processes
SMIDO - Financial Management
A follow-up meeting of the PICT, which will also be attended by JEC and MEPZA will be held on 10 November 2003.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the regularization of “taxi marrons” and has taken note that applications for the issue of PSV (Taxi Licences) have been invited in respect of 91 localities and 3054 applications have been received. Further, applications in respect of three remaining localities will be invited shortly. With regard to holders of PSV (Taxi Licences) who do not utilize their vehicles as taxi, they have been given up to the end of November, 2003 to return their licence, in which case they would benefit from a 80% discount on the residual duty payable on their vehicle. Those who fail to do so will be required to refund the total amount of duty remitted on their vehicle.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the situation at the Customs Department and has taken note that several Customs Officers have been arrested recently. Cabinet has further reiterated its support to the Comptroller of Customs, and has emphasized its determination to be ruthless in its fight against fraud and corruption at the Customs Department.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the participation of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research in the 32nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO and that a consensus has been reached for the Director-General of UNESCO to prepare an International Instrument on Cultural Diversity and Artistic Expression for presentation at the 33rd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO to be held in 2005.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organized by the Ministry of Women's Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare in the context of the International Day against Violence Against Women on 12 November 2003. In this connection the Ministry proposes to produce -
(i) a handbook to sensitize parents on the extreme disruptions and disturbances on children due to domestic violence;
(ii) a resource kit for general practitioners and other medical staff to enhance the identification of family violence and understanding of issues related to violence; and
(iii) a booklet to be distributed to public officers, entitled “The Big Secret to eliminate/reduce the barriers to disclosure violence and to seek help”
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8. Cabinet has taken note of activities to be organized by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life in the context of World Diabetes Day on the theme “Diabetes and Kidney Disease” on 14 November 2003. The main activity will be the launching of a Media Strategy for Non-Communicable Diseases prevention.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organized by the Ministry of Fisheries in collaboration with the Fishermen Welfare Fund in the context of the International Fishermen’s Day which is celebrated on 21 November each year, which will include inter alia a wreath laying ceremony at Le Morne Village at the memorial in honour of fishermen who have disappeared at sea, a regatta competition at La Preneuse and an Open Day at Albion Fisheries Research Centre.
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10. Cabinet has agreed to modifications being brought to the current Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the MoU relating to the Air Services Agreement with Singapore which purport to increase the number of flights on the Singapore/Mauritius route for both Air Mauritius and Singapore Airlines from two to four weekly services
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11. Government has agreed to the Implementation Plan for the provision of utility services in the context of the Integrated Infrastructure Development Project at Vallée Pitot. In this connection, the Ministry of Public Utilities will proceed with the detailed design for the provision of water infrastructure, access roads, storm drains and culverts.
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12. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Public Utilities commissioning a feasibility study for the construction of a storage dam at Chamarel on River Baie du Cap, with a view to ensuring that water requirements for development projects in the region are met.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the Report on Children’s Issues and has agreed to the implementation of its recommendations. In this context, a new Children’s Bill will be prepared to provide for more effective measures to combat child abuse.
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14. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of -
(a) the Minister of Labour & Industrial Relations in the Conference on Health and Safety Culture - Sustainable Development through Responsible Corporate Citizenship held in Dusseldorf from 27 to 29 October 2003;
(b) the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation in the NEPAD Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Africa Region held in Nairobi, Kenya on 28 October 2003;
(c) the Minister of Education and Scientific Research to Canada and UK respectively, where he attended -
(i) the Meeting of the Bureau of the “Conference des Ministres de l’Education ayant le Français en Partage” in Canada on 23 and 24 October 2003; and
(ii) the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Edinburg, UK from 27 to 29 October 2003.
(d) the Minister of Arts and Culture in the 18th Edition of the Festival Kreol in Seychelles.
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15. Cabinet has taken note that a delegation of eight Mauritian children, including one child from Rodrigues and Agalega, respectively, will participate in the Children’s Assembly and Integrated Camp scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India from 19 to 20 November 2003.
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16. Cabinet has taken note of latest developments related to the organization of the Biennial Meeting of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa to be hosted by Mauritius from 3 to 6 December 2003.
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17. Cabinet has taken note of the hosting of a “Colloque Scientifique de l’Ocean Indien sur le VH/SIDA” in Mauritius from 12 to 14 November 2003.
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18. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of the Human Resource Development Council for the period 2003 - 2005 under the chairmanship of Mr Dan Bundhoo.
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