 1. Cabinet has taken note that HE Mr Denis Sassou-N’guesso, President of the Republic of Congo, will be on a State Visit to Mauritius from 9 to 11 July 2011. He will lead a delegation comprising, inter alia, four Ministers and officials. During his visit, the President of the Republic of Congo will pay a courtesy call on the Acting President of the Republic, have a working session with the Prime Minister, lay a wreath at the Samadhi of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and attend a meeting with the local business community. During the visit, an Agreement on the establishment of Special Economic Zones in the Republic of Congo and a Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology will be signed.
2. Cabinet has taken note that, under the Planters Excellence Award Scheme set up in August 2010, the Small Planters Welfare Fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, would reward 14 planters who have excelled in their respective sectors, i.e., sugarcane, vegetables, fruits, flowers, tea and tobacco. The Planters Excellence Award Scheme aims at recognizing and rewarding the effort of planters in the production and supply of safe food, and for their contribution to national economic development and food security. 144 planters had participated in the competition. The selection criteria included good agricultural and management practices, innovative ideas and the planter’s vision for his business. Twenty-seven other planters, who are amongst the first three at regional levels in their respective categories, would also be rewarded for their participation in the Scheme.
3. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Protection from Domestic Violence (Amendment) (Amendment) Bill which amends the Protection from Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act to give to the Honourable Chief Justice the power to make rules for the purposes of the Protection from Domestic Violence Act to enable hearings of applications for protection orders, occupation orders and tenancy orders to better protect victims of domestic violence.
4. In view of the employment potential in the ICT Sector and the need to improve human skill competencies, Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of an ICT Academy in Mauritius. The Academy would provide short-term industry-led training, ensure work placement after successful completion of training and cater for re-skilling of existing workforce to enhance capacity building initiatives.
5. Cabinet has taken note of progress in the setting up of the Institute for Women’s Health at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, which would cater for specific health and medical needs of women with the state-of-the-art technology.
6. Cabinet has taken note that, in line with the provisions of the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the Minister of Housing and Lands would promulgate regulations under the State Lands Act to provide for the rental of leases in respect of islets and other State lands, which have restricted development capacity, to be increased or reduced, as the case may be.
7. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the World Population Day commemorated on 11 July, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life would, inter alia, organize a workshop to validate the Family Planning Guidelines and Protocol for Service Providers and mount sensitization campaigns on health issues including HIV/AIDS, targeting students, teenage mothers, vulnerable groups and people with high risk behaviour. The theme chosen by the United Nations Population Fund this year is The World at 7 Billion.
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