1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the bilateral air services talks held with the French Authorities on 12 and 13 September 2005, wherein it had been agreed inter alia to amend the Bilateral Air Services Agreement to allow multiple designation of airlines by either Mauritius or France on the long haul route France/Mauritius and to France operating a second airline on a maximum of two weekly frequencies. It is considered that the operation of a second airline from the French side will accelerate traffic growth in the first AITA season on the route with a minimum of 44,000 extra passengers per year if Corsair is designated. In the eventuality Star Airlines is the second designated airline, some 15,000 additional passengers are expected. In the ensuing AITA season, the traffic growth will increase when the airline will also operate from a provincial point, i.e. other than Paris. Air Mauritius will be entitled to two additional weekly frequencies on the route, thus injecting an extra 31,200 seats per year.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the deadline for the payment of employees' contribution to the National Solidarity Fund in respect of the Workers Hardship Relief Scheme, being extended from 31 July to 30 November 2005.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to restrict the importation of Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, a dangerous chemical used in paints, textile chemicals and detergents, and harmful to aquatic environment.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the General Post Office building being used to accommodate inter alia an Administrative Block for the Mauritius Post Ltd, a Boardroom, a Documentation Centre on philately, a Postal Museum, a Post Shop for the sale of post cards, stationery and other commercial items, and an ICT Corner. Cabinet has also agreed to the opening of a temporary philatelic counter at the General Post Office building on Sunday 9 October 2005 to mark the World Post Day. On that occasion the next series of commemorative stamps on the theme "Stone Buildings" will be released.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of activities to be organized to commemorate –
(a) the World Maritime Day on 29 September 2005. The theme chosen for this year is "International Shipping – Carrier of World Trade". On this occasion, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport & Shipping is organizing an essay competition on the theme "The increasing role of shipping in world trade", for lower VI students of all secondary schools, an exhibition at the Seafarers Centre, Mer Rouge, Port Louis from 29 September to 01 October 2005, a Power-Point presentation at the Centre on the services offered by the Shipping Division of that Ministry, and a popular day in the port; and
(b) the World Heart Day on 25 September 2005. The theme chosen for this year is "A healthy weight and healthy shape – for a heart for life". To mark the event, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life will inter alia launch "La Route du Coeur", a preventive programme on cardiovascular diseases, and arrange with emerging supermarkets for the holding of promotional campaigns for the sale of dietary products at a discounted rate for a period of one week prior to observing the Day.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the deliberations and outcome of the Second Meeting of the Empowered Negotiation Team on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius held on 9 September 2005 in Mauritius. The Indian and Mauritian delegations discussed and exchanged information on a number of issues, including trade in goods and services, investment and economic cooperation, as well as measures that could bring about improvements in the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The third round of CECPA will be held in New Delhi in October 2005.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the delegation led by the Minister of Public Utilities to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 02 to 07 September 2005 with a view to finalizing arrangements for Hadj 2005. The delegation had fruitful discussions with HE Dr Amine Farsi, Minister of Hadj, and his collaborators regarding the stay of Mauritian pilgrims in the Holy Lands and the performance of Hadj. The Saudi Authorities were informed that for the coming Hadj, only private licenced Operators will bring Hadjis while the Islamic Cultural Centre and the Hadj Mission will act as regulator, supervisor and facilitator in collaboration with the Saudi Authorities.
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8. Cabinet has taken note that Statement of Accounts will be issued by the end of September 2005 to employees who have contributed to the National Pensions Fund and the National Savings Fund. The Statement of Accounts will indicate inter alia the amount of contributions paid to the National Pensions Fund or to the National Savings Fund, and for the first time, include the approximate amount of contributory retirement pension that has accrued to the employee.
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9. Cabinet has taken note that the Attorney General's Office, in collaboration with the SADC Centre of Specialisation in Public Administration and Management, will organise a seminar on "Cyberlaw for Trade and Business" in Mauritius from 11 to 14 October 2005. The objectives of the seminar which will be attended by the Permanent Secretaries and Senior Officers in the public service and private sectors of the region, are to inter alia sensitize participants on the impact that a regulatory ICT framework can make on modern trade and business, synergies of related regulatory frameworks, in particular e-commerce, telecommunications and broadcasting in promoting trade and business, and the legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to promote ICT in Trade and Business.
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10. Cabinet has taken note that the Republic of Mauritius has been admitted as member of the International Hydrographic Organisation which will allow -
(i) coordination of the national charts series with neighbouring countries in the interest of safe and efficient navigation through the international chart schemes;
(ii) participation in the elaboration of resolution, technical standards and works on matters pertaining to hydrographic surveys, national charting, competence of hydrographic surveys, oceanography and related products; and
(iii) provision of expert advice on hydrographic and oceanographic issues.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of -
(a) the Jewellery Advisory Council with Mrs S. Sokhal, Barrister-at-Law as Chairperson; and
(b) the Motor Vehicles Insurance Arbitration Committee with Mr
Jacques Panglose as Chairperson, and Mrs Aratee Prayag and Mr Imtihaz Mamoojee as Vice-Chairpersons.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Third Meeting of the 'Conseil Permanent des Jeux des Iles de l'Ocean Indien' (CIJ) held in Madagascar from 18 to 22 August 2005. The main objectives of the Meeting were to review the preparation of the 2007 Indian Ocean Games to be held in Madagascar from 9 to 19 August 2007 and to discuss sports disciplines to be retained for the Games.
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13. Cabinet has taken note that the registration exercise for admission in Form I in 2006 will take place on 17 December and not on 24 December 2005.
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14. Cabinet has agreed to Monday 3 October 2005 being declared a school holiday in respect of State and private primary and secondary schools in towns used as Polling Stations and Counting Centres during the forthcoming Municipal Council Elections.
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