1. Cabinet has taken note that, following a proposal of the Prime Minister, the DBM Ltd. would be converted into a full-fledged Micro and Small and Medium Enterprise Bank falling under the supervisory and regulatory purview of the Bank of Mauritius. In this context, the services of the International Finance Corporation have been retained to carry out a due diligence assessment of the DBM Ltd., provide advisory services to support the transformation and identify a strategic partner engaged in such type of specialized banking activities.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development would chair the first tripartite meeting in the context of the process of consultations for the determination of the quantum of salary compensation to be paid to workers with effect from 1 January 2012.
3. Cabinet has taken note of development in the implementation of the various capital projects undertaken by local authorities in their respective localities, namely tarring of roads, construction of drains and retaining walls, fencing of playgrounds, fixing of handrails, amongst others.
4. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture to commemorate the 111th Birth Anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam on 18 September 2011, viz.,-
(a) Wreath Laying Ceremonies at the Samadhi of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, in front of the statue of SSR at Port Louis Waterfront, and at the SSR Memorial Park, Kewal Nagar;
(b) award of prizes to winners of the Painting Competition and the Poem Writing Competition;
(c) inauguration of the SSR Peace Corner at the SSR Memorial Park, Kewal Nagar; and
(d) a Cultural Programme at Kewal Nagar.
The theme chosen this year to mark the event is "SSR and Free Education".
5. Cabinet has taken note of activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Islamic Cultural Centre and the Urdu Speaking Union, to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr at national level, viz., -
(a) Eid Gathering at Taher Bagh, Port Louis;
(b) Family Gathering on the premises of the Islamic Cultural Centre comprising, amongst others, cultural items, exhibition and sale of Islamic items, free mehendi application and display, and multimedia presentation on Ramadhan and Eid; and
(c) Ghazal and qawali recital by renowned Mauritian artists at Port Louis Waterfront.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the craft shops and the bird hide, situated at the Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary, would be launched on 29 August 2011. The Estuary Bird Sanctuary is the habitat of hundreds of migratory birds during the period November to April. The new facilities provided at the Estuary Bird Sanctuary would increase its potential as a tourist site.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the measures taken by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology for the effective implementation of e-Services to enhance public service delivery on a 24x7 basis and make Ministries and Departments more responsive to the needs of the public. The Ministry has also mounted a campaign to encourage the public to use the e-Services through the Public Internet Access Points.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the visit of Mr Philippe Vigier, Sous-directeur des Etudes à l’Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature de Bordeaux and Mr Eric Bramat, Chef de Cabinet du Directeur de l’Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature de Paris, from 11 to 15 September 2011 in the context of the setting up of the Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies. They will have working sessions and discussions with the Attorney General, the Hon Chief Justice, Judges of the Supreme Court, and members of the legal profession.
9. Cabinet has taken note that the Tenth All Africa Games would be held in Maputo, Mozambique from 1 to 18 September 2011. Mauritius would participate in the following sports disciplines: Athletics, Badminton, Beach Volley, Boxing, Cycling, Handisports (Visual and Physical), Judo, Swimming, Sailing, Table-Tennis, Tennis and Triathlon. Performance at the Games will be considered as a pre-qualification criterion for eligibility for the Olympic Games 2012.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the incentives given to promoters of hotels to encourage them to set up desalination plants to meet their water requirements, particularly during the dry season.
11. Cabinet has taken note of the findings and recommendations of the Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey Report on men having sex with men conducted in July/August 2010 by Dr Lisa Johnston, Consultant from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The objective of the Survey was to gather information on the prevalence of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases among men having sex with men for pragmatic policy responses and to provide a baseline from which the epidemic trend can be monitored. The survey has revealed that 51.8% of the respondents reported having always negotiated for condom use before having sex with any partner; 48.8% had accurate knowledge about HIV transmission; 41.8% had ever had an HIV test; and among those who had ever had an HIV test, only 1.1% were tested positive.
12. Cabinet has taken note of the various programmes and benefits provided to the elderly by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions and of recreational activities organized for their welfare. In line with Government Programme 2010-2015, which lays emphasis on the promotion of an active and healthy ageing, the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions proposes to -
(a) construct two additional Recreation Centres for the Elderly at Pointe aux Piments and Riambel;
(b) conduct training courses to beef up the pool of carers;
(c) mount IT Literacy Programme for the benefit of the elderly;
(d) extend the Home “Foyer Trochetia” with two additional living units;
(e) revamp the Day Care Centres;
(f) set up an Observatory on Ageing; and
(g) introduce semi-low floor buses in the Recreation Centres.
13. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized by the National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons during the period September to December 2011, viz., -
(a) sports activities to showcase the talents of athletes with disabilities;
(b) a workshop on the different benefits and facilities available to disabled persons;
(c) launching of an Information Guide;
(d) a training programme for NGO Staff of Disability Sector;
(e) medical care to disabled children attending Day Care Centres; and
(f) a Family Day at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden on the occasion of the International Day of Disabled Persons commemorated on 3 December.
14. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions in the context of the World Suicide Prevention Day commemorated on 10 September, viz.,-
(a) candle light vigil at the Municipality of Beau Bassin/Rose Hill;
(b) free screening for stress at R. Seeneevassen Building, Port Louis; and
(c) training session on “responsible media reporting” for members of the media.
The theme for this year is “Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies”.
Cabinet has also taken note that the Suicide Prevention Unit, which focused its activities on the prevention of suicide and support to bereaved families, would henceforth also deal with positive living and stress management which is one of the factors leading to suicide. The Unit will be renamed Life Plus+.
15. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden from 14 to 17 October 2011 to commemorate the World Food Day, viz., -
(a) exhibitions and displays of produce of the agro-industry sector;
(b) demonstration and dissemination of information on production techniques;
(c) a conference on the theme “Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability”;
(d) sale of agricultural products; and
(e) a culinary show.
The theme for the World Food Day 2011 is “Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability”.
16. Cabinet has taken note of –
(a) the appointment of Ms Myriam Narainsamy as Chairperson of the Child Mentoring Committee;
(b) the nomination of Mr Viraj Ramharai as Member of the Board of the Mauritius Sports Council in replacement to Mr N. Ramsoondur who has resigned; and
(c) the reconstitution of the Tea Board with the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security as Chairperson.