1. Cabinet has taken note of the official visit of the Prime Minister and his delegation comprising inter alia of six Ministers and 45 representatives of the Mauritius business community to Madagascar from 4 to 7 April 2004. The Prime Minister has had fruitful meetings with President Marc Ravalomanana and the Prime Minister, Mr T. Sylla. Mauritius and Madagascar have signed an "Accord Général de Coopération", an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and an Agreement for Cooperation in Tourism. Further, meetings were held between the private sectors of the two countries and possibilities of joint ventures in all major economic sectors were discussed. Government will now ensure that follow-up actions are taken.
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2. Cabinet has reviewed the unfolding of the Notary Vinay Deelchand affair and has taken note that the Police and ADSU have been instructed to investigate thoroughly all allegations made and to ensure that there was no cover-up. Further, the Police will also re-examine statements given by alleged victims in previous cases, and on which no action had been taken.
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3. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the challenge of Brazil, Australia and Thailand to the EU Sugar Régime and has taken note that following the continued efforts of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development as ACP Ministerial Spokesman, the Panel which is examining the disputes has agreed that Third Parties may attend, as observers, its second substantive meeting which will take place on 11 and 12 May 2004.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation following cases of malaria reported in Port Louis and has taken note that the health condition of an 11 year old child and a 67 year old man who have been diagnosed with the disease has improved satisfactorily. Further, the situation is under control and no new cases have been reported since 10 April 2004.
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5. Cabinet has taken cognizance of the Human Tissue (Removal, Preservation and Transplant) Bill and has agreed to give wide publicity to the Bill and to invite all stakeholders, socio-religious groups and the public in general to submit their views thereon to the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life by 30 June 2004.
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6. In view of the cultural and historical importance of the Le Morne site and its inclusion on the tentative list of cultural properties for eventual inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the "Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund" Bill to provide for the establishment and management of the "Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund". Further, Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius ratifying the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage whose objectives are inter alia to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage and to provide for international cooperation and assistance.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of representations made by bus companies to the effect that they cannot improve the quality of their service and replace their ageing fleet of buses in view of their difficult financial situation, and has agreed that the Management Audit Bureau assisted by the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister will carry out a study and propose measures for the improvement of the profitability of the sector, in order to enable the required investment to be made.
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8. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in NHDC blocks and has taken note of measures being taken to alleviate wastewater and water problems encountered by occupants of those apartments. Further, a Committee chaired by the Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft & the Informal Sector is actively working on solutions to problems faced by the NHDC syndics and will soon make recommendations to Cabinet.
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9. Cabinet has taken note that a Committee chaired by the Registrar of Companies has been set up to review the overall legislative and regulatory framework relating to insolvency and creditor rights in Mauritius including the Sale by Levy system and procedures. Measures will be proposed to inter alia eradicate the abuse to which debtors have at times been subjected, as was the case in the past for victims of "casseurs".
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10. Cabinet has agreed to the signature of an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with the Belgium - Luxembourg Economic Union. The objective of the Agreement is to strengthen economic cooperation by creating favourable conditions for investments for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
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11. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the National Economic and Social Council (Amendment) Bill to provide for the Island Chief Executive of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and a representative of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizen Welfare & Reform Institutions to sit on the National Economic and Social Council.
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12. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Loans (Amendment) Bill which provides for the raising of Loans by Treasury Notes and the conversion of Treasury Bills into Treasury Notes.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of administrative arrangements being made for the SADC Summit meetings scheduled to be held in Mauritius from 9 to 17 August 2004.
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14. Cabinet has agreed to the recommendations of a Technical Committee set up to review the Landlord and Tenant Act 1999. These recommendations relate inter alia to:
(i) fair rental of business premises based on market rental value; and
(ii) extension of the jurisdiction of the Fair Rent Tribunal to lettings made before the coming into operation of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1999.
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15. With a view to ensuring that the Job Bank of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment is kept up to date, Cabinet has agreed to the amendment of Regulation 12 of the Recruitment of Workers Regulation in order to place an obligation on licensed recruiting agencies to notify the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment of vacancies within two days of receiving a written request for recruitment from an employer.
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16. Cabinet has taken note of the organisation of the Second edition of "Oscar de la Sagesse", an Award for Most Outstanding Elderly Person which will be presented on 1 October 2004, to coincide with the International Day of the Elderly.
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17. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of -
(i) the mission of the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit to the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea from 29 to 31 March 2004 where he participated at the eight special session of the United Nations Environment Programme (Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum); and
(ii) the Promotion Mission of the Minister of Industry, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs to Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong from 24 March to 1 April 2004 where he led a 25-member delegation. The objectives of the mission were to present Mauritius as a well-regulated and quality financial services centre to foster relationships with professionals from leading Government and Private Sector organisations for the further development of our financial services sector.
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18. Cabinet has taken note of -
(i) the organisation of an International Boxing Competition in Mauritius from 25 May to 5 June 2004; and
(ii) the outcome of the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the "Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l"Océan Indien" held in Mauritius on 7 and 8 April 2004.
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