1.Cabinet has agreed to the National Plan of Action on Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse, including Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, in Mauritius. The Plan of Action focuses on the four agenda recommended at the First World Conference on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, viz., setting up of an adequate monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the Plan of Action, mounting of sensitisation campaigns, consolidation of legislation and rehabilitation of victims.
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2.Cabinet has taken note that a delegation led by the Hon Alan J. Carpenter, MLA, Minister of Education and Training; Sports and Recreation; and Indigenous Affairs of Western Australia will visit Mauritius from 13 to 17 February 2003. During the visit, the Memorandum of Understanding on Sports will be reviewed and discussions will be held on exchanges in the field of sports in the context of the forthcoming Indian Ocean Islands Games.
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3.Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Tourism and Leisure will make regulations under the Pleasure Crafts Act to control nautical activities in the lagoon generally and to delineate zones in the lagoon of Grand Baie with a view to allowing safe boating and reducing the risks of accidents in that area.
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4.Cabinet has taken note that during the period December 2002 to January 2003, the Board of Investment has approved 11 new projects which inter alia comprise the setting up of a spinning plant, an e-market place for the tourism industry and textile industries. The projects will necessitate investment of about Rs 868m, with Foreign Direct Investment of about Rs 32m, and create 449 new jobs.
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5.Following the corporatisation of the Postal Services, Cabinet has agreed to the transfer of assets and business of the Post Office Savings Bank to the Mauritius Post Ltd.
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6.Cabinet has taken note of the Report on Possible Developments for Victims of Crime in Mauritius submitted by Dame Helene Reeves, Chief Executive of Victim Support from the UK, following her visit in October 2002.
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7.Cabinet has taken note of progress made in the organization of the National Day Celebrations.
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8.Cabinet has taken note of activities that will be organised to mark the International Women’s Day 2003. The theme of this year is “Femme, Progrès et Développement.”
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9.Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Mauritius Sports Council under the chairmanship of Mr Raj Gaya.
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10.Cabinet has taken note of the position regarding the resumption of studies in the secondary education sector. There are 63 State secondary schools in operation this year as compared to 36 last year; 17165 students have been admitted to Form 1 and 2769 students in prevocational schools.
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