1. Cabinet had decided at its meeting of 4 June 2004, to set up a Committee to look into the issue of sale by levy and to make appropriate recommendations on amendments to be brought to the legislation. However, Cabinet, taking note of representations received from different quarters, has today agreed to the setting up of a full-fledged Commission of Inquiry to -
(i) enquire whether the current system of sale by levy gives rise to malpractices; and
(ii) make recommendations as to amendments to be brought to the legislation and to the procedures related thereto in order to better safeguard the interest of the public at large and debtors in particular.
Mr Abdulah Malleck G. Ahmed, former Judge and Master and Registrar of the Supreme Court has agreed to preside the Commission of Inquiry.
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2. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the construction of Les Pailles International Conference Centre, and has taken note that works on site were progressing satisfactorily and were expected to be completed by the revised date of 15 September 2004.
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3. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in Comoros and has taken note of the positive political developments there. Further, Mauritius will host a Lenders' Meeting to be attended by representatives of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, France, United States of America and some Arab countries. Procedures have been initiated for the holding of the Meeting.
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4. Cabinet has taken note of the success in the organization of activities to mark the Transit of Venus which was observed on 8 June 2004 and has placed on record its appreciation of the work done by the Committee set up to prepare that event.
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5. Cabinet has agreed, in principle, to a proposal for the setting up of a wind farm by an Indian Firm in the context of the MoU signed between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources of India on cooperation in the field of non-conventional energy sources, subject to:
(a) a formal commitment from the Indian Government to participate in the project;
(b) a full feasibility study being carried out; and
(c) all environmental issues being addressed.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of a proposal for the renovation and upgrading of La Citadelle under a Public-Private Partnership Scheme and has agreed to the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure inviting Expressions of Interest from potential bidders.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of:
(a) the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation to Kampala, Republic of Uganda from 30 May to 8 June 2004 where he attended the Policy Organs Meetings of COMESA;
(b) the Minister of Public Utilities to Bonn, Germany from 1 to 4 June 2004 where he participated in the International Conference for Renewable Energies;
(c) the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources to Georgetown, Guyana where he attended the Meeting of Ministerial Representatives of G90 Countries;
(d) the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit to Sao Paulo, Brazil from 11 to 12 June 2004 where he participated in the Special Ministerial Meeting to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Group of 77.
(e) the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment to Geneva from 1 to 10 June 2004 where he attended the 92nd International Labour Conference; and
(f) the Minister of Tourism and Leisure to Europe (Geneva, Vienna, Rome, London and Paris) from 24 May to 3 June 3004 where he participated inter alia in a Symposium on Millennium Development Goals: Tourism and the Progressive Alleviation of Poverty.
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