CABINET DECISIONS - 17 AUGUST 2007
 1. Cabinet has taken note that, according to the last statistical bulletin, about 77,225 tourists visited Mauritius in the month of July 2007 as compared to 65,540 in July 2006, i.e., an increase of 17.8%. Total tourist arrivals for the first seven months of 2007 reached 509,338, i.e., an additional 83,661 tourists as compared to the corresponding period in 2006.
Major tourist markets have registered growth with increases as follows -
| Reunion Island (+17.6%) |
South Africa (+16.1%) |
| France (+49.2%) |
Germany (+10.5%) |
| CIS (+41.1%) |
Sweden (+20.0%) |
| Belgium (+11.4%) |
Spain (+10.6%) |
| Switzerland (+9.9%) |
Italy (+0.5%) |
| China (+52.7%) |
India (+22.6) |
| Australia (+9.0%) |
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of bilateral air services talks with the Aeronautical Authorities of Kenya and those of the Russian Federation and that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with each of the authorities providing, inter alia, for -
(a) Kenya
(i) A multiple airlines designation regime instead of the single designation regime.
(ii) An increase in the number of weekly frequencies from two to four for each Party with any aircraft type.
(iii) The replacement of the existing Route Schedule by a flexible one providing for two points of access in Kenya, any intermediate point and any beyond point.
(iv) The exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights by both countries on the following intermediate points :
Dar-es-Salaam, Antananarivo, Seychelles, Moroni and Lilongwe.
(v) Code-sharing arrangements with any airline of third countries.
(vi) No restriction on frequency and capacity for all cargo services in the exercise of third and fourth freedom traffic rights.
(b) The Russian Federation
(i) The application of the principle of multiple designation of airlines for each Party.
(ii) The operation of three weekly frequencies with any aircraft type by each designated airline of each Party.
(iii) The operation on the new agreed Route Schedule providing for any point of access, intermediate and beyond, by designated airlines of each country.
(iv) Each party to enter into commercial and/or cooperative marketing arrangements with an airline of the other Party, including an airline of a third country.
3. Cabinet has taken note that a Consultative Committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Mr Kris Seeboo, Chairperson of the Tourism Village Company and General Manager of Beachcomber, to advise and assist the Ministry of Tourism, Leisure & External Communications in the formulation and implementation of appropriate strategies and policies on tourism matters, in order to ensure a sustainable development of the industry particularly having regard to the vision of attracting two million tourists by the year 2015. The Consultative Committee which would comprise persons having a wide experience in tourism and tourism-related matters, would provide objective, independent, impartial and professional advice on tourism product development, destination promotion and marketing and any other tourism-related matters. All members would serve the Committee on a voluntary and non-remunerative basis.
4. Cabinet has taken note that a Legal Conference on “A new Approach to Legal Practice” would be held in Mauritius from 17 to 21 September 2007.
The Conference is being held in the context of the general reform of the Judiciary and the legal profession in Mauritius and with a view to instilling a new perspective in legal practice, and benchmarking latest developments prevailing in developed foreign jurisdictions, especially the United Kingdom. The Conference aims at enhancing standards in the legal profession as a whole and helping towards the implementation of the Government policy to open the legal profession to foreign firms by offering quality service from local counterparts.
Eminent Judges and Barristers from England who are Members of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, as well as, local Judges, Magistrates, Officers from the State Law Office and Barristers in private practice, would attend the Conference.
5. Cabinet has taken note of the status of the proposed construction of the Macondé Bridge and that the project is still being evaluated by the Consultant for submission to the Central Tender Board.
6. Cabinet has taken note of the mission of the Attorney General, Minister of Justice & Human Rights to Lesotho and Zambia where he attended the SADC Meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General.
The Meeting in Lesotho considered, inter alia, draft Protocols/Declarations on the following -
(a) Gender and Development;
(b) Science, Technology and Innovation;
(c) Relations between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities;
(d) Trade in Services; and
(e) Assistance in Tax Matters.
The meeting in Zambia finalised the following Memoranda of Understanding for submission to the SADC Summit being held in Zambia -
(a) Memorandum of Understanding on the New SADC Headquarters; and
(b) Memorandum of Understanding between Member States on the Establishment of SADC Standby Brigade.
7. Cabinet has taken note that, in view of the fact that the geotechnical survey carried out recently in the region of Chitrakoot, has concluded that no construction works should be carried out there, the Ministry of Education & Human Resources proposes to relocate the pupils and staff of Chitrakoot Government School for their safety and security. The Minister of Education & Human Resources would meet all stakeholders shortly in that connection.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the mission of the Minister of Education & Human Resources to South Africa on 9 and 10 August 2007 where he attended the Third Ordinary Conference of Ministers of Education of the African Union.
The Conference provided an opportunity to gauge progress, and develop the way forward for the monitoring and follow-up on the implementation of the plan of action on education. A declaration, referred to as the “Johannesburg Declaration of Ministers of Education of the African Union”, was adopted. The main recommendations contained therein stress the need to, inter alia, –
(a) reinforce political commitment to the Plan of Action of the Second Decade of Education in Africa, through its integration in National Programmes;
(b) strengthen the role of Regional Economic Communities in the implementation and monitoring of progress of the Plan of Action; and
(c) recognize the importance of Higher Education in National and Regional Development, as well as support to Primary and Secondary Schooling.
In the margins of the Conference, the Minister of Education & Human Resources had bilateral discussions with -
(i) the Hon Bernard Shamlaye, Minister of Education of the Seychelles, on the possibility for secondary school teachers, as well as teachers in the TVET Sector, to work in the Seychelles;
(ii) the Hon Mrs Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, Minister of Education of Uganda, on engaging further discussions at technical level on the development of a strategy in Mauritius to make Science compulsory up to Form V, an area in which Uganda has emerged as an example of good practice in Africa; and
(iii) Mr Adama Samassekou, President of the African Academy of Languages, on the possibility of developing collaboration with the forthcoming Language Institute of Mauritius.
9. Cabinet has taken note that, in accordance with the provision of the National Trust Fund for Community Health (Repeal) Act, a Board of Trustees has been reconstituted under the chairmanship of Mr J.D. Phokeer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, for the submission of a report and an audited Statement of Accounts for period 1 July 2005 to 30 September 2007.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the following Boards –
(a) the Small Enterprises and Handicraft Development Authority Board with Ms I. Pochun as Chairperson; and
(b) the Statutory Bodies Family Protection Fund Board with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government as Chairperson.
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