CABINET DECISIONS – 2 APRIL 2010
1. Cabinet has taken note that the British Government has decided to proceed unilaterally with the creation of a Marine Protected Area in the waters of the Chagos Archipelago despite the undertaking given to the Prime Minister by the highest authority of the British Government (on behalf of the British Government) at the last meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of State that the Project will be put on hold.The Government of Mauritius emphatically condemns the decision of the British Government. In this connection, a Note Verbale has been issued today. Furthermore, our High Commissioner in the UK has been called for consultations. The Government of Mauritius will not recognize the Marine Protected Area and has decided to have recourse to other options to enable it to exercise its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Besides, a letter would be addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations to draw his attention to the unilateral decision of the British Government to establish a Marine Protected Area around the Chagos Archipelago.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the International Arbitration Conference would be held in Mauritius on 13 and 14 December 2010. The objectives of the Conference are to promote Mauritius as an international arbitration jurisdiction and showcase the services and facilities offered in the field of international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration. About 200 participants from Europe, Africa, China and India would attend the Conference.
3. Following the proclamation of 5 May 2010 as Poll Day for the General Elections, Cabinet has agreed to 4 and 6 May 2010 being school holidays. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources would make appropriate arrangements to make up for the missed classes. Cabinet has also taken note that 5 May 2010 (Poll Day) would be a public holiday.
4. With a view to protecting the environment, Cabinet has agreed to temporary noticeboards being put up throughout the country for the affixing of posters in connection with the forthcoming General Elections.
5. Cabinet has taken note of the activities organized by the Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare to vulgarize healthy eating habits and good lifestyle with a view to combating non-communicable diseases.
6. Cabinet has taken note that an ICT Indicators Web Portal would be launched by the National Computer Board. This Web Portal would host a database of 147 indicators and provide details on, among others, -
(a) the status of e-readiness in Mauritius;
(b) the ICT usage across different economic sectors, including Government and households;
(c) the development of the ICT Sector as an industry; and
(d) the benchmarking of Mauritius against international indices, such as the ICT Development Index, the Network Readiness Index, the e-Government Readiness Index and the AT Kearney Global Services Location Index.
7. Cabinet has taken note that the World Health Day would be observed on 7 April 2010 on the theme “Urbanisation and Health”.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Executive Committee of the Senior Citizens Council with Mrs I. Nath Varma, OSK, as Chairperson.