 1. Cabinet has taken note of measures being initiated for the reduction of Non-Revenue Water in the upper Mare aux Vacoas water supply system as proposed by the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise. The scope of work comprises the replacement of priority pipes, repairs/modifications to the network, the implementation of a telemetry system for optimum operation of the water supply system and the automation of functions, where possible.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Mauritius Ports Authority proposes to implement a project to upgrade and extend the berths of the Mauritius Container Terminal to enable the berthing of 2 to 3 container vessels at any one time, speed up turnaround of vessels, and increase connectivity with a view to positioning Port Louis Harbour as a transshipment hub in the region. The project comprises the extension and upgrading of the existing quays, the expansion of the container stacking yard and the dredging of the English Channel at Mer Rouge.
3. Cabinet has taken note of development in the operationalization of the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority. As regards the staff and the employees of the former Service Providing Institutions, following an exercise carried out, more than 400 employees have opted to join the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority, about 300 to retire voluntarily and some 100 for redeployment. Appropriate arrangements have been made for the payment of compensation and pension to the employees who have opted to retire.
4. Cabinet has taken note that the Mauritius Prisons Service is upgrading its information system to, amongst others, create a centralized database of prisoners, convictions and medical details, as well as the biometric authentication of each prisoner.
Cabinet has also taken note that the Counter Terrorism Unit, which has established a network with designated agencies for efficient sharing of intelligence, is implementing a new document management information system to manage, store, distribute and archive documents.
5. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture to commemorate the 112th Birth Anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Father of the Nation, on 18 September 2012, viz., -
(a) Wreath Laying ceremonies at the Samadhi of SSR at the SSR Botanic Garden, Pamplemousses; in front of the statue of SSR at Port Louis Waterfront; and in front of the bust of SSR at Kewal Nagar;
(b) a cultural programme at Kewal Nagar;
(c) a prize giving ceremony to reward secondary school students, winners of the Drawing/Painting Competition, the Poem Writing Competition and the Mosaic Competition;
(d) an exhibition of posters on the life of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam at the Mauritius Institute, Port Louis; and
(e) an Intergenerational Quiz Competition on the theme “Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam – Life and Achievements”.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is making arrangements to delocalize the incineration of clinical wastes from hospital premises, particularly Dr A.G. Jeetoo Hospital and Victoria Hospital.
7. Cabinet has taken note that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas would be held in Mauritius from 26 to 28 October 2012. The programme of activities would comprise, amongst others, a Business Forum, a Conclave on Indian Diaspora, an Art Exhibition and a Stamps Exhibition.
8. Cabinet has taken note that the Small States Network for Economic Development, jointly with the Competition Commission of Mauritius, would organize a Workshop for African Judges. The objectives of the Workshop, which would be held in Mauritius on 24 and 25 September 2012, are to develop a network of judges in competition law across small states in the region and enhance expertise in competition law enforcement. The theme of the Workshop is Milestone Judgments in Competition Law. Judges from Gambia, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Cape Verde, Swaziland, the Maldives, the Seychelles, the Comoros and Mauritius would participate in the Workshop.
9. Cabinet has taken note of the views adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee on the complaint of Rezistans ek Alternativ claiming to be victims of a violation by Mauritius of Articles 18, 25 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
10. Cabinet has taken note that the Fourth Indian Ocean Philatelic Exhibition would be held in Mauritius from 06 to 09 September 2012. The main objectives of the Exhibition are to create a platform for Post Offices of the region to develop cooperation on postal matters, and to showcase the rich heritage of the islands of the Indian Ocean. On the occasion, a workshop on the history of Post Offices would also be held. The Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion Island, the Seychelles and the French Austral and Antarctic Territories would participate in the Exibition.
11. Cabinet has taken note that the Cultural Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the Government of Malaysia, covering the period 2012-2015, has been renewed. The new Cultural Exchange Programme provides for cooperation in the fields of Arts and Culture, Archaeology, Museums, Archives and Libraries, and the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.
12. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of Clean Up the World 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development would carry out clean-up campaigns, amongst others, at Twilight Cave, Roche Noires; Ile de La Passe, Mahebourg; and Rivière Sèche, Vacoas, collect used mobile phones and batteries, distribute medicinal plants, plant trees and promote the campaign To Zetté To Tassé. The objective of the campaign is to bring together non-government organizations, community groups, schools, Government, businesses and individuals to undertake activities to improve water quality, clean up streets, parks, waterways and forests and sensitize children on the need to maintain a healthy environment. The theme chosen this year is Our Place… Our Planet… Our Responsibility.
13. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development would, amongst others, organize a workshop on Ozone Layer Depletion and Climate Change, and an interactive session on Ozone Layer Depletion, and launch a booklet on Climate and Ozone Layer Protection. On the occasion, the UNDP Representative in Mauritius would hand over the “Montreal Protocol Commemorative Plaque of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)” to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, in recognition and appreciation of the contribution of Mauritius for the protection of the ozone layer. The theme chosen for this year is Protecting our Atmosphere for Generations to Come.
14. Cabinet has taken note that, following the enactment of the Law Practitioners (Amendment) Act, the Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies Act and the Court Ushers (Amendment) Act, the judicial and legal systems and the legal profession have undergone changes: The Council for Vocational Legal Education, set up under the Law Practitioners (Amendment) Act and chaired by Justice Lam Shang Leen, is responsible for authorizing the conduct of vocational courses, organisation, through the Vocational Examinations Board, of oral or written examinations for prospective law practitioners, and the drawing up and keeping under review of a list of law practitioners of not less than 15 years’ standing who are able to provide the required amenities and training to be pupil masters; The Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies, chaired by Mrs Justice Chui Yew Cheong, devise, organize and conduct Continuing Professional Development Programmes; Law practitioners and legal officers must, now, every year participate in a Continuing Professional
Development Programme for not less than 12 hours; and Under the Court Ushers (Amendment) Act, persons, who are not public officers, are appointed as registered Ushers by the Chief Justice where they hold the prescribed qualifications, have passed the prescribed examinations and satisfy the Chief Justice that they are of good character.
15. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade to Mozambique where he participated in the 32nd Summit of the SADC Head of States and Governments. The Summit, inter alia, reviewed the political and security situation in the region, namely Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe; examined the economic performance of the SADC region in 2011; took note of progress made in the establishment of the Tripartite Free Trade Area, and the SADC Regional Development Fund, as well as the development of a Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan 2013-2017 and the preparation of the SADC Vision 2050.
16. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Information and Communication Technology to the UK where he participated in the Commonwealth e-Accessibility Summit. The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation has, in its 2012/13-2015/16 Strategic Plan, declared the use of Information and Communication Technology by people with disabilities as one of the core activities. The Organisation will assist Member States in implementing practical activities and ensuring that people with disabilities have greater access to the use of appropriate and effective ICT. The Summit also concluded that a case study on Mauritius is important to showcase its achievements in the Information and Communication Technology Sector to other Member States of the Commonwealth.
17. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent visit of the Attorney General, at the head of a delegation, to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China. The delegation, inter alia, visited the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai and the National Prosecutors College in Beijing, had working sessions with the Shanghai’s People’s Procuratorate and the Prosecutor General, Mr Cao Jianming and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the strengthening of cooperation and links on legal matters.
18. Cabinet has taken note of the publication of the third edition of the Directory of ICT Companies in Mauritius, which would provide a list of local ICT operators with particulars on their activities, expertise, and products and services offered. The electronic version of the Directory is available on the Mauritius lCT Export Portal.
19. Cabinet has taken note of the results of the 15th Pricing Survey conducted by the Price Observatory on 28 August 2012. The survey covers 23 outlets and 60 targeted products. The Pricing Survey has revealed that the average cost of the targeted products increased from Rs6,172 in July to Rs6,237 in August 2012; the price differential between the cheapest outlet and the highest-priced outlet was Rs1,211; and the price differential between the cheapest district (Grand Port) and the highest-priced district (Moka) was Rs768.
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