1. Cabinet has agreed to the theme “Enn Sel Nasyon Enn Sel Destin” being retained for the National Day Celebrations 2004 and to the launching of a logo competition thereon. Cabinet has also agreed to an exhibition cum fair on the theme “Vitrine de l’Economie Mauricienne” being held at the Freeport, Mer Rouge from 5 to 14 March 2004 in the context of these celebrations.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of an Economic Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to ensure a more coordinated and coherent approach to economic policy formulation and implementation, and identifying constraints that need to be addressed to enable Government to deliver on the objectives set out in the Economic Agenda.
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3. Cabinet has taken note of the arrangements being made for the implementation of the Mauritius Revenue Authority project. These include the enlistment of consultancy services to assist in the implementation of the project and the setting up of a Steering Committee and in-house teams to work alongside with the consultants and to interface with them.
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4. Cabinet has taken note that, following the release of the 2003 Report, the Pay Research Bureau has received 783 submissions on errors and omissions. In view of the large number of representations received, it is expected that the Bureau would come up with its report by the end of May 2004.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the IRS project at Bel Ombre and has taken note that the construction of two hotels would soon start. Further, Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of IRS projects at –
(i) Les Salines, Rivière Noire which would comprise inter alia the construction of four hotels, a Leisure Sports and Cultural Centre, bungalows, Golf villas and a residential morcellement; and
(ii) St. Félix, where inter alia three hotels would be constructed as well as a Recreational Centre for the Elderly. Provision has also been made in the plan for a public beach of an extent of 18A90.
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6. Cabinet has taken note that the Textile Emergency Support Team has submitted its first report based on its assessment of 40 enterprises. The report proposes a two-tier action plan for restructuring the textile and clothing sector and will be examined by the Policy Intervention Committee on Textile, chaired by the Prime Minister shortly to decide on the way forward.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the composition of the Central Cyclone and other Natural Disasters Committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary for Home Affairs. Cabinet has also taken note of the Cyclone Refugee Centres for the Cyclone Season 2003-2004.
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8. Cabinet has taken note that the implementation of a new Passport Personalisation System is expected to be operational by the end of July 2004. In the meantime, the period of validity of a passport issued prior to 24 October 2003, will be extended free of charge for a period ending not later than 30 June 2005. Passports issued on or after 24 October 2003 would also be valid for a period ending not later than 30 June 2005.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of:-
(i) the organization of the 9th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Africa Region from 5 to 10 November 2003 in Mauritius; and
(ii) the holding of a training course on Policy Violence against Women and Children in Mauritius by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), a non-governmental organization based in South Africa, from 3 to 7 November 2003. The training programme has been specially designed for the benefit of member countries of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCO).
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the reappointment of Dr D. Oaris as Chairperson of the Non-Governmental Organisation Trust Fund Committee for a further period of one year with effect from 10 October 2003.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the missions of:-
(i) the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation to Colombo from 12 to 13 October, where he attended the 4th Council of Ministers’ Meeting of the Indian Ocean RIM Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR ARC); and
(ii) the Minister of Commerce and Cooperatives to Rodrigues from 11 to 15 October 2003.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the appointment of Mr Babooram Gunesh as Vice-Chairperson of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund Board. It is recalled that the Chairperson is Mrs Vijayalakshmi Teelock.
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