1. Cabinet has taken note that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development will jointly hold a Press Conference in the presence of all Ministers, on Saturday 25 September 2004 at 1100 hours in the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Hall, Government House, Port Louis to review the socio-economic and political situation.
_______________________________
2. Cabinet has taken note of the Report on Harmonized Writing System for the Mauritian Creole Language by the Committee chaired by Prof Vinesh Y Hookoomsing, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius and has agreed to release the Report. The public will be invited to submit their comments thereon to the Minister of Education and Scientific Research for further action.
______________________________
3. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of 5th freedom air traffic rights on the South Africa Sector to the designated airlines of India and Australia in the first instance. This measure would generate a positive spin-off for Mauritius as it would lead to the country becoming a gateway to South Africa. Furthermore, a new segment of tourists consisting of visitors combining Mauritius and South Africa in one trip would be created originating in India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
_______________________________
4. Cabinet has taken note of a joint letter dated 16 September 2004 from Mr Pascal Lamy, EU Commissioner for Trade, Mr Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Mr Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development addressed to the Prime Minister, in which they have highlighted the fact that they were very sensitive to the implications which the EU sugar reform would have on ACP sugar exporting countries and consequently had taken the commitment to ensure that appropriate accompanying measures to cover the trade and development aspects would be put in place. The Commission had further agreed to provide financial support to mitigate the economic and social effects of the sugar reform in addition to funds which would be made available under EDF.
Cabinet has also taken note that Portugal had been fully supportive of the ACP’s position during a meeting held with ACP representative in Bruxelles this week. Further the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources will pursue the lobbying mission and will meet Ministers of Agriculture of UK, Sweden, Denmark and Portugal from 11 to 14 October 2004.
_______________________________
5. Cabinet has reviewed the cases of alleged intoxication in schools and has taken note that the situation is being closely monitored by the Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit, the Minister of Health and Quality of Life and the Minister of Education and Scientific Research .
_______________________________
6. Cabinet has agreed to the services of a Barrister-at-Law being provided to assist workers in cases referred to the industrial court with regards to claim for compensation and other dues whenever enterprises are placed under receivership. Such assistance is presently provided for in cases referred to the Termination of Contracts of Service Board (TCSB).
_______________________________
7. Cabinet has taken note that the Outer Island Development Corporation will shortly proceed with Phase I of the reconstruction of the airstrip at Agalega in order to enable the “Dornier” and other small aircrafts to land there.
_______________________________
8. Cabinet has agreed to the construction of a market which will provide for 500 stalls at Bel Air. The construction of this market will boost up the economic activities of the village and will contribute to the creation of small and medium enterprises. This project is in line with Government’s objective to provide necessary infrastructure facilities in all major districts and villages.
________________________________
9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the –
(i) the lobbying mission and the meetings the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development had with Ministers in the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg and Associations of beet growers in the context of the reform of the EU Sugar Regime, from 13 to 16 September;
(ii) visit the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources effected to Reunion Island from 13 to 14 September 2004 to inter alia take cognizance of modern techniques in agricultural production and to be apprised of the island’s position on the reform proposals on the Sugar Regime;
(iii) visit of Mr Hervé Gaymard, Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology, Fisheries and Rural Affairs of the Republic of France to Mauritius on 18 September 2004; and
(iv) mission of the Minister of Arts and Culture to Madagascar from 12 to 15 September 2004. A cultural agreement for years 2004 – 2007 between Madagascar and Mauritius was signed during the visit.
________________________________
10. Cabinet has taken note of the proposed activities to mark World Heart Day on 26 September 2004 which will include a ‘heart Run’; panel discussions on the theme Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors, tv/radio programmes, talks in various centres and publication and distribution of brochures and pamphlets.
________________________________
11. Cabinet has taken note of the setting up of postgraduate training courses leading to an “Attestation de Formation Specialisée AFS” in the fields of cardiology and psychiatry in collaboration with the University of Bordeaux II.
_______________________________
12. Cabinet has taken note that Mr Christian Merlin ‘Recteur de l’Académie de la Réunion, Chancellier des Universités’ will visit Mauritius from 23 to 25 September 2004 in the context of bilateral cooperation in the field of education between Mauritius and France.
_______________________________
13. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the-
(i) National Art Gallery Board for a period of 3 years as from September 2004, under the chair of Mr B. Burrun;
(ii) Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund Board, for a period of one year as from 1 October 2004, under the chair of Mr R. Uteem.
_______________________________
14. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius will host the regional Ministerial Conference of French-speaking African States for the Ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime from 25 to 27 October 2004 and will celebrate the bicentenary of the Napoleonic Code on 28 October 2004.
_______________________________
15. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities to be organized to mark World Maritime Day 2004 from 27 September to 1 October 2004. This year’s theme which has been chosen by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is “Focus on Maritime Security”.
_______________________________
16. Cabinet has agreed to the programme of activities for the National Divali Celebrations 2004 recommended by the National Organising Committee which will consist inter alia of Ramayana chanting and painting competitions, an official launching ceremony at the Rose Belle Station on 6 November 2004, a cultural show by artists from India, cultural programmes at the Port Louis Waterfront and a painting exhibition. Cabinet has also agreed to the composition of the National Implementation Committee under the chair of former Judge R. Proag.
_______________________________