Cabinet Decisions 07 January 2011

1. Cabinet has taken note that water levels in our reservoirs, as at 4 January 2011 as compared to 4 January 2010, were as follows:-

(a) in the case of a domestic consumer, to a fine not exceeding Rs50,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years; and

(b) in any other case, to a fine not exceeding Rs200,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

2. Cabinet has taken note of activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund and the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, to mark the 176th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery on 1 February 2011, viz., -

(a) wreath laying ceremonies at Le Morne and Pte Canon, Mahebourg;

(b) unveiling of rocks, sculpted by artists from India and the People’s Republic of China, at Le Morne;

(c) exhibition on the theme kontribision bann esklav ek zot desandan dan konstriksion nou pei; and

(d) cultural programmes.

3. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture in the context of the celebration of Spring Festival 2011 at national level, viz., -

(a) a Cultural Show with the participation of the Fujian Artistic Troupe from the People’s Republic of China and local artists at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre on 3 February;

(b) a défilé, comprising Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Groups, the Police Pop Band, Martial Arts Demonstrators and other artistic groups, from China Town to Port Louis Waterfront on 5 February; and

(c) cultural shows with the participation of the Fujian Artistic Troupe and local artists at Lady Sushil Ramgoolam State Secondary School, Triolet on 4 February and at Port Louis Waterfront on 5 February.

4. Cabinet has taken note that Professor Derek Yellon, Dr Malcolm Walker and Dr Derek Hausenloy, eminent Cardiologists from the University College, London; Professor Sir Georges Alberti, Professor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle; Professor Paul Zimmet, Director of the Baker IDI and Heart Institute of Melbourne; Professor Jaakko Tuomilehto, Professor of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland and Dr Diana Mangliano, Senior Epidemiologist at the Baker IDI and Heart Institute of Melbourne would be in Mauritius from 8 to 15 January 2011 to ensure follow up on the recommendations made during the International Advisory Committee Meeting on Diabetes and the Conference on the Management of Cardiovascular and Related Diseases held in August 2010 in Mauritius. They would have working sessions and hold workshops to discuss, amongst others, –

(a) conduct of studies on the prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease; the prevalence and outcomes of Gestational Diabetes in Mauritius; and on the effect of Remote Ischaemic pre-conditioning as an adjunct to Thrombolytic Therapy;

(b) setting up of Prehabilitation Units for Cardiovascular Patients at the Cardiac Centre, Pamplemousses and at the Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre, Souillac; and

(c) development of a Master Plan for Primary Health Care.

5. Cabinet has taken note that HE Mr Ahmed Sambi, President of the Union of Comoros, proposes to visit Mauritius from 11 to 14 January 2011. He would lead a four-member delegation. During his visit, discussions would be held on, inter alia, -

(a) cooperation in the health sector;

(b) assistance to the Comorian Ministry of Justice; and

(c) capacity building.

6. Cabinet has taken note that Norway and Mauritius would, shortly, sign a Short-stay Visa Waiver Agreement. In 2009, Mauritius and the European Community signed a Short-stay Visa Waiver Agreement which allows citizens of Mauritius to enter and stay, without prior visa, in the territory of EU Member States within the Schengen Area for a maximum period of three months during a six-month period. Under the combined effect of the Waiver Agreements with the European Community and Norway, Mauritian nationals would now be able to travel without a visa to Norway and stay for a maximum period of three months with multiple-entry facilities within a six-month period.

7. Cabinet has agreed to a High Level Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Energy and Public Utilities, looking into the promotion of welfare of children and young people, furthering child protection and development and preventing children suffering harm. The Committee would comprise –

(a) the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment;

(b) the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development;

(c) the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare;

(d) the Minister of Education and Human Resources; and

(e) the Minister of Health and Quality of Life.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the status in the implementation of the Enhancement of Work Environment Programme by the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms to ensure that Ministries/Departments comply with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the World Jurist Association, in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Mauritius, would hold a Conference in Mauritius on the theme International Alternative Dispute Resolution as a Means for Promoting Peace through the Rule of Law. The Conference, which would be held in April 2011, aims at creating and propagating a culture necessary for the implementation of judicial reforms and making Mauritius a legal and judicial centre for dispute settlement of international standing.

10. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility, would hold the Second Bureau Meeting of the Steering Committee on the Project Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches to Facilitating National Reporting to Rio Conventions from 26 to 28 January 2011 in Mauritius. The main objectives of the Meeting are to take stock of progress in the implementation of the Project and develop a plan for 2011. Participants from Afghanistan, Canada, Eritrea, Germany, Iran, Kenya, Laos People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Palau, the United Kingdom and the United States of America would attend the Meeting.

11. Cabinet has taken note that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, would hold a Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Sustainable National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Systems in Eastern and Southern Africa from 15 to 17 February 2011 in Mauritius. The Workshop aims at strengthening the institutional framework to coordinate national greenhouse gas inventories and improving national methodologies, activity data and emission factors.

12. Cabinet has taken note that, on the recommendation of the Stamp Advisory Committee, the Postal Authority has approved the following themes for the issue of postage stamps in the year 2011 -

(a) Mauritius World Heritage comprising stamps on Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne World Heritage Site;

(b) Events and Anniversaries to mark the Population Census and the 150 years of the establishment of postal services in Rodrigues and to pay homage to eminent personalities;

(c) International Events to celebrate the Year of Chemistry, the Year of Forest and the transit of Venus;

(d) HIV/AIDS; and

(e) Tea Industry in Mauritius.

13. Cabinet has taken note that, with a view to repositioning Mauritius as an exporter of quality products in the region, Enterprise Mauritius would hold Buyers' and Sellers' Meetings in Tanzania and Kenya from 24 to 28 January 2011. Forty Mauritian companies would participate in the Meetings, which are expected to attract around 200 buyers in each of the countries. The Meetings would not only enable small and medium enterprises to explore business opportunities but also give a new impetus to trade and economic cooperation between Mauritius and Kenya/Tanzania.

14. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security mounting a national sensitization campaign against the felling of trees.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees of La Clinique Mauricienne for the year 2011.