1.Cabinet has taken note that the appellation of the following Ministries has been changed as follows:
(a) Ministry of Tourism to Ministry of Tourism and Leisure; and
(b) Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity to Ministry of Training, Skills Development, Employment and Productivity.
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2.Government fully supports the appeal made by the United Nations, through its Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, that all parties concerned in the conflict in
Côte d’Ivoire should faithfully respect the provisions of the Accord de Paris and in order to find a solution to the crisis and thus avoid the unnecessary loss of human lives.
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3.Cabinet has agreed to all vessels coming to Port Louis harbour for unloading and transshipment of toothfish being equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System.
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4.Cabinet has agreed to the closure of Britannia Sugar Factory as from the end of the 2002 crop, subject to the provisions of the Blue Print. The planters of the factory area will have the option to send their canes to the unloading zones of Britannia or to designated factories.
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5.Cabinet has agreed to a feasibility study being carried out for the implementation of an integrated project, comprising a market fair cum auction market and a traffic centre at Rose Belle.
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6.Cabinet has agreed to Government representation on the proposed Integrated Committee of Ministers (ICM) of the Southern African Development Community. The aim of the ICM is to ensure policy guidance, coordination and harmonization of cross-sectoral activities and the rapid implementation of programmes.
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7. Cabinet has agreed to the organisation in Mauritius of -
(i) a National Conference on Work and the Family from 25 to 27 February 2003; and
(ii) a Ministerial Meeting of African Small States in May 2003 in preparation of the World Bank sponsored Third Small States Forum to be held in Dubai in September 2003. The Consultative Meeting aims at developing a collective stand on major development issues of common interest to African Small States.
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8.Cabinet has agreed to use funds from interest-free loans offered by the People’s Republic of China for the renovation and repairs of Plaza Theatre.
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9.Cabinet has taken note that the Mauritius Ports Authority will construct a commemorative stele in the yard of the Port Administration Building in the memory of late Mr H. Ramnarain, former Chairman, and will name the common reception hall after late Mr J.H. Nagdan, former General Manager of the Authority.
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10.Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of the Board of the Mauritius Oceanography Institute under the chairmanship of the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service.
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11.Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Industry and International Trade has approved 24 applications for registration as Small and Medium Enterprises, under section 38 of the Industrial Expansion Act. The enterprises will be involved in the manufacture of snacks, ready-made garments and pull-overs, shoes, coach building and light metal works, maintenance of computers, assembly of slippers and sandals, refrigerators, water coolers and air-conditioners. The projects are expected to give rise to investments to the tune of Rs 5m and will create 111 new employment and sustain 107 existing jobs.
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12.Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity & Senior Citizens Welfare and Reforms Institutions will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of India. The main areas of collaboration will be inter alia social defence, ageing, training programme and technical cooperation.
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13.Cabinet has taken note that Mr J. Seetaram, Barrister-at-Law will, henceforth, provide legal assistance to workers appearing before the Termination of Contracts of Service Board.
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14. Cabinet has taken note of the position regarding admission/resumption of studies in pre-primary and primary schools generally.
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15. Cabinet has taken note of the changes brought by the Cambridge International Examinations in the award rules of the HSC as from last year’s examinations.
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