1. Cabinet has taken note that the SADC Summit has been a success both in terms of deliberations and organizational arrangements. Further, Cabinet has taken note that the Prime Minister would visit Gaborone in October next and that the construction of the SADC Headquarters was among his priorities as Chairperson of the Organisation. Cabinet has also taken note of the forthcoming elections in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
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2. Cabinet has reviewed progress with regard to the investigations following the explosion at Grand' Baie and has taken note that the final report of the Forensic Science Laboratory was expected by Wednesday 25 August and that of the FBI in the coming days. Government was taking measures to ensure that the situation in Grand' Baie returns to normal as soon as possible.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizen Welfare & Reform Institutions has extended the deadline for submission of forms for old-age pensions to mid-September 2004, and that an awareness campaign has been launched to provide information to all those concerned. Further explanations would be given to the pensioners at the regional offices when they come to collect their order books as from end of August.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation of the Sugar Sector in the light of the Fischler's proposals for the EU Sugar Reforms and the ruling of the WTO Panel on the complaints of Brazil, Thailand and Australia against the EU Sugar Regime and has taken note that the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development had chaired a Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources and the Mauritius Sugar Authority.
With regard to domestic reform, several issues had been considered including inter alia improvement of competitiveness of small planters, co-products, field operations and the financial requirements of the industry. The Committee will meet again on 25 August to go deeper into these issues and a meeting with all stakeholders is scheduled for 26 August 2004.
Further, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development will pursue lobbying missions in several European Capitals.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the situation in the textile and clothing sector and has taken note that the Prime Minister will chair a meeting on Monday 30 August with trade unions of the EPZ sector. The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft & the Informal Sector, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment and the Minister of Industry, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs will also attend. The Prime Minister will also chair a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft & the Informal Sector, the Minister of Industry, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs, the Managing Director of the Bank of Mauritius, representatives of the Development Bank of Mauritius, the Mauritius Employers' Federation, MEPZA, JEC to find ways and means to better assist companies of the EPZ sectors to face up to difficulties to which they are confronted.
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6. Cabinet has taken note that following discussions between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and trade unions, the Mauritius Revenue Authority Bill has been finalised and would be presented for Second Reading before adjournment of the current session of the National Assembly.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the long delays for cases submitted to the Medical Council are finalised and has agreed that certain aspects of the Medical Council Act would be reviewed with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the Council.
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8. Cabinet has agreed that a World Bank Consultant be appointed to make an assessment of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and to make recommendations.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of a brief received from the "Association des Syndicats de Co-propriétaires" of NHDC flats on solutions to problems encountered in the management of syndics on these Estates. These recommendations will be taken into account by the Ministry of Housing and Lands and Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft & the Informal Sector in the preparation of a report to Cabinet on this issue in the near future.
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10. Cabinet has taken note that the design and draft tender documents for the upgrading of the airstrip at Agalega have been completed and in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, the airstrip will cater for airplanes up to ATR 72 type.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of measures taken by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research to temporarily accommodate pupils of Standard III to CPE of Sir Harilall Vaghjee Government School at the Triolet SSS pending renovation works to the roof of the building which will be undertaken as a matter of priority.
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12. Cabinet has taken note that, following demonstrations in the capital Male, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of Maldives has declared a state of emergency in the archipelago and some 100 members of the Opposition have been detained.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life to China from 4 to 13 August 2004.
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14. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Investment Promotion (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which provides inter alia for the streamlining of permits and licences, the issuing of guidelines and for fixing a time limit for the processing of such permits and licences.
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15. Cabinet has agreed that Mauritius hosts a Round Table on Industrial Property Development from 13 to 15 September 2004 to be organized by the African Regional Industrial Property Organisation (ARIPO) and European Patent Office (EPO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation.
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