1.Cabinet has reviewed the Programme of the official visit of the Prime Minister to India from 18 to 23 November 2003.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the meetings the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance had, on the one hand with the Joint Economic Council and on the other with the trade unions, during which the economic situation was reviewed.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that Heads of Delegations represented at the WTO would hold their first meeting in Geneva shortly to assess the post-Cancun situation.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in the Prisons Department and noted that good progress had been achieved. At the latest meeting held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister during the week at which the NATRESA was present, the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners was actively considered.
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5. Cabinet has taken note that the Textile Emergency Support Team had met with key players in the textile and clothing industry, and that further technical discussions would be held on financial, international marketing and freight issues.
Further, Cabinet has approved the composition of the Policy Intervention Committee on Textile, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, as follows:
(a) Minister of Industry and International Trade
(b) Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations
(c) Minister of Economic Development, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs
(d) Minister of Training, Skills Development, Employment and Productivity
(e) Chairman Joint Economic Council
(f) Co-chairpersons, Textile Emergency Support Team
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6. Cabinet has taken note that the Memorandum of Understanding for the financing of the Conference Centre at Pailles had been signed between Mauritius and India. Cabinet has also agreed to the setting up of an Implementation Mechanism for the monitoring of the project and has noted that the project will be completed well in time for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference scheduled for August 2004.
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7. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the intoxication of some pupils, at Rose Belle North Government School, on 13 October 2003, and has taken note that the enquiry is on-going.
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8. Cabinet has reviewed progress on the on-going reform of the Customs Department and has taken note of the irresponsible statement made to the Press by the President of the Customs and Excise Officers Union.
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9. Cabinet has reviewed the IRS projects at Les Salines and St Félix and has taken note that a meeting will be held on 20 October 2003 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to review IRS and all hotel projects.
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10. Cabinet has agreed to regulations being made to postpone the implementation of measures regarding the use of taxi metres to 15 November 2003 and has taken note that meanwhile the Minister of Tourism and Leisure and the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping will discuss the issue with Taxi Operators.
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11. Cabinet has taken note that the enquiry in the case of poisoning in ZEP schools was on-going and that alternative arrangements for the supply of a light meal to pupils attending these schools were being maintained.
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12. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Fisheries has started a series of consultations with fishermen of Baie du Cap and Le Morne, with a view to addressing their problem.
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13. Cabinet has taken note that the Plaza was designated ancient monument in March 2003 and that the Municipal Council of Beau Bassin/Rose Hill has made financial arrangements that would allow for the complete renovation of the Plaza.
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14. Cabinet has taken note that cleaning services at SSR Botanical Garden have been entrusted to a new contractor and that 20 labourers from the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources have been deployed there as from 7 October 2003.
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15. Cabinet has started considering the Report of the actuarial review by Messrs Bacon Woodrow & Legris Ltd of the Sugar Insurance Fund Board and of the recommendations made therein. The matter will be further discussed by Cabinet at its next meeting.
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16. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of –
(i) the Police (Amendment) Bill, to enable Police Officers to form part of any peace-keeping mission operated under the aegis of the United Nations or any other regional organisation of which Mauritius is a member;
(ii) the Nursing Council Bill, with a view to empowering the Nursing Council to discharge its functions expeditiously and effectively, and to maintain a high standard of professional practices in the interests of patients.
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17. Cabinet has taken note of the recommendations of the Pay Research Bureau in its Report on the review of pay and grading structures at the MBC and has agreed to its implementation in toto.
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18. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) under the chairmanship of Mr A. Rajoo, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment with a view to developing a management and implementation plan for rivers, streams and canals.
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19. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting a COMESA Regional Workshop on the training of trainers in regional and multilateral trade negotiations from 8 to 12 December 2003.
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20. Cabinet has taken note of an amendment to be brought to the Land Surveyors (Diplomas) Regulations to allow holders of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying from the University of Natal to be granted a Commission under the Land Surveyors Act, 1982.
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21. Cabinet has taken note that the Fourth Regional Training Course on key issues on the international economic agenda for African countries sponsored by UNCTAD will be held in Mauritius from 26 January to 11 February 2004.
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22. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research in Paris where he attended the 32nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO.
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