CABINET DECISIONS – 29 AUGUST 2008
1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Acting Prime Minister to Turkey from 18 to 20 August 2008, where he participated in the First Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit.Turkey hosted the Summit within its strategy of building partnership with other parts of the world and further reinforcing its relations with Africa. The main objectives of the Summit were to lay down the foundation for promoting partnership between Turkey and Africa, to create and maintain a favourable climate for business contacts and trade, to promote the transfer of technology, technical assistance, capacity building and sharing of experiences and best practices and to assist in the implementation of development projects using local resources.
The Summit adopted the “Istanbul Declaration of Africa -Turkey Partnership” and the “Framework of Cooperation for Africa - Turkey Partnership”.
In the margins of the meeting, the Acting Prime Minister met HE Mr Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey, who agreed to extend assistance to Mauritius, particularly through the Turkish International Cooperation with Africa (TICA), in the fields of tourism, health, education and agriculture, including training of experts. The Acting Prime Minister sought Turkey’s assistance for strengthening small and medium enterprises, the award of scholarships in fields of priority, and for an expeditious agreement on the Double Taxation Agreements.
The Acting Prime Minister also met the Honorary Consul of Turkey, Mr Levant Soylu, with whom cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields was evoked.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Environment & National Development Unit would promulgate the Environment Protection (Affixing of Posters) Regulations under the Environment Protection Act to regulate the affixing of posters, in view of the fact that indiscriminate affixing of posters on buildings, telegraphic and electric poles, walls and fences, which have a road frontage, largely contributes to the degradation of the aesthetics of towns and villages and adversely impacts on our tourist industry.
The proposed regulations provide for, inter alia, -
(a) the ban on the affixing of posters in a public place other than a designated site approved by a local authority or the Road Development Authority;
(b) the name of the printer and the distributor, or the person commissioning the poster to be affixed, to henceforth being indicated in the poster;
(c) existing posters situated on a private premises to comply with the provisions of the regulations within 30 days of the coming into force of the regulations;
(d) non-compliance with the regulations to constitute an offence and be subject to a fine not exceeding Rs 50,000 on a first conviction and Rs 250,000 on a second and subsequent conviction; and
(e) empowerment of the enforcing agency or the authorized officer to pull down, remove or alter the poster at the costs of the person who affixed or caused the poster to be affixed, and to take any other measures to ensure the protection of the environment.
3. Cabinet has taken note that under the Emergency Rehabilitation Programme, the Ministry of Environment & National Development Unit is completing procedures to embark on the construction of drains at Pereybère, Mon Loisir and Plaine des Roches and of a bridge at Mon Goût, Pamplemousses, Mon Loisir, Pointe aux Sables, Argy, Flacq and Hermitage.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Environment & National Development Unit will regularly monitor, coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the projects.
4. Cabinet has taken note that two disabled athletes in athletics and swimming, accompanied by their coaches, would represent Mauritius at the Paralympics Games, Olympic Games for disabled athletes, to be held in Beijing, China from 6 to 17 September 2008. The two athletes have been selected by the International Paralympics Committee for participation in the Games owing to their good track record. Paralympics Games are held every four years at the same venue of the Olympic Games.
5. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the procurement of a Tanker Vessel for the transportation of petroleum products for Mauritius and of the interest of the Shipping Corporation of India in the implementation of the project.
6. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the implementation of the refurbishment of Old Parliament House, which comprises, inter alia, the following works – flooring, roofing, interior decoration and provision of services, such as drainage, electrical installation and air-conditioning.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the visit of His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, KG, KCVO from 22 to 26 October 2008 when he would chair the International Council Meeting to be held in the context of the International Gold Encounter.
The International Gold Encounter aims at regrouping 150 Gold Award Holders aged 20 to 30 years from the 126 member countries of the International Award Association. The Encounter will comprise a workshop in journalism, coaching skills, blogging and networking, photography and audio visuals as well as activities with NGOs working with vulnerable groups and the protection of the environment. An Award Youth Forum will also be organised to provide opportunities for delegates to discuss award related issues with the International Council Members.