1. Cabinet has reviewed the Mauritius Revenue Authority Bill and has approved further amendments to sections 5, 6 and 11 of the Bill. The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development will meet the Trade Unions today at 1345 hrs and later at 1730 hrs.
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2. Cabinet has reviewed the situation with regard to the explosion at Grand'Baie and has taken note that the final report of the FBI has been received and confirms its preliminary findings to the effect that the explosion had been caused by a gas explosion. Cabinet has also taken note that the Police enquiry following the report of the Fire Services as to a strong gas smell on the site of the explosion was ongoing.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius concluding an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency for the application of safeguards in connection with the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The supplementary measures are designed to more quickly and effectively alert the international community to the possible production or diversion of nuclear for military purposes.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a National Organising Committee (NOC) under the Chairmanship of former Judge R. Proag, to make recommendations on the programme of activities for Divali Celebrations 2004. An Implementation Committee comprising Hindu socio-cultural organizations will be set up after the NOC would have submitted its recommendations.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the water situation and has taken note of the satisfactory level of water in reservoirs as at 2 September 2004, which stood as follows:
Storage Capacity
on 02 Sept 04
Mare aux Vacoas 84%
Nicolière 60%
Piton du Milieu 73%
La Ferme 78%
Mare Longue 58%
Midlands Dam 99%
However, the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Central Water Authority are monitoring the situation.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the findings of a study on Dwell Time for Cargo undertaken by Ernst and Young and Commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation to inter alia assess the impact of the reduction in dwell time on availability of terminal space and consequently enhanced throughput by optimization of storage space.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of:
(a) the Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft and the Informal Sector in the XIV Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the II Asia-Africa Sub-Regional Organisation Ministerial Conference (AASROC) held in Durban, South Africa on 19 and 20 August 2004 respectively;
(b) the Minister of Tourism and Leisure to UK and France from 21 to 28 August 2004 where he had fruitful discussions with major tour operators; and
(c) the Minister of Youth and Sports at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece from 13 to 29 August 2004. Further, Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting the Senior African Championship in November 2004.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the proposed composition of the Board of Trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Trust Fund under the Chair of Dr (Mrs) A. Gurib-Fakim for period 2004-2005.
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