1. Cabinet has taken note that the state visit of the Prime Minister to India from 19 to 24 November 2003 has been most successful. The five-day visit covered Mumbai, Goa, New Delhi and Bangalore. Detailed discussions were held with the Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on bilateral, regional and international issues. Cabinet has also taken note of the Joint Statement following the state visit, copy of which is annexed.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of visit of HE Amadou Toumani Toure, President of the Republic of Mali from 2 to 4 December 2003. He will be the Chief Guest to the Conference on the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). He will be met at the airport by the Vice-President of the Republic and he will make courtesy calls on the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister on the day of his arrival.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that construction works on the Conference Centre at Domaine les Pailles were progressing as per schedule. A model of the centre will be flown this week. The main Architect from Larsen and Toubro is presently in Mauritius to finalise the working drawings.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation of “taxi marrons” and has taken note that the NTA has invited applications for the issue of PSV (taxi) licences in 94 localities. Interviews have started. Further, the Prime Minister will chair an Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday 2 December 2003 which will also be attended by the NTA to take stock of progress achieved.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the ongoing reforms in the Customs Department and has taken note of new control procedures for the EPZ sector. In this context the Customs Department has enlisted the support of the Mauritius Export Processing Zones Associations (MEPZA) for the sensitization of its members on the need to reinforce control. Morever, new import clearance procedures have been introduced as from 10 November. Traders and brokers now no longer interface with Customs Officers, thereby minimizing the risk of corruption.
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6. Cabinet has taken note that the Prime Minister will chair an Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday 2 December 2003, which will also be attended by all stakeholders concerned including the Municipal Councils to review the situation regarding areas where hawkers would be allowed to operate during the end-of-year period.
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7. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in Comoros and has noted with regret that political tension is still simmering between leaders there. Government troops have reportedly opened fire on a group of demonstrators. Government will impress upon President Azali the need to put an end to the political deadlock.
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8. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in Zimbabwe and has taken note that President Robert Mugabe will not be invited to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Abuja from 5 to 8 December 2003. Moreover, Cabinet has taken note of a candidate from Sri Lanka to the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
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9. Cabinet has agreed that the operation of the airport at Plaine Corail, Rodrigues be taken over by the Airport of Rodrigues Ltd as from 1 December 2003. Further, international flights will start operating to and from Rodrigues as from 14 December 2003.
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10. Cabinet has agreed that the project value for the Grand’ Baie Sewerage Project be increased from Rs 500M to Rs 1,200M to cater for additional works which include inter alia the construction of access roads, landscaping, additional house connections, traffic lights, mini pumping stations and realignment of drains.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the coming into operation of a Drop-in-Centre for victims of sexual abuse, including commercial sexual exploitation of children. The centre which will be located at Bell Village will be managed by the Mauritius Family Planning Association.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the First NEPAD Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 3 to 7 November, 2003. The Minister of Education and Scientific Research was represented by Mr D. P. Ruhee, Senior Chief Executive at the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the publication and release of the Family Planning and Demographic Yearbook 2002.
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14. Cabinet has taken note that at the invitation of the Minister of Fisheries, Hon Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia will be in Mauritius early next year. During the visit, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of fisheries between Namibia and Mauritius will be discussed amongst other issues.
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15. Cabinet has taken note of the training programmes as well as incentives offered by the IVTB to support textile companies.
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16. Cabinet has agreed to amendments being made to:-
(i) the Road Traffic Act to provide for limited liability cover on motor insurance in respect of third party bodily injury or death to a minimum amount of Rs 150M per event. The minimum level will be adjusted annually in line with the rate of inflation; and
(ii) the relevant sections of the “Code Civil” relating to insurance to allow for 'claims made’ insurance policies in respect of liabilities of company directors and officers and professional indemnity.
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