1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Bill to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully retained in another State, in line with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Economic Development, Productivity & Regional Development seeking technical assistance in the field of Maritime Boundary Delimitation from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
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3. Cabinet has approved the grant of the following Industrial Investment Certificates under the Industrial Expansion Act, 1993:-
(i) 4 Export Enterprise Certificates; and
(ii) 2 Pioneer Status Enterprise Certificates.
The implementation of the six (6) projects would create some 200 job opportunities and would entail investment amounting to around Rs 109 million.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a Regional Tourism Organisation, to carry out regional tourism activities under the IOC Regional Tourism Programme and to Mauritius submitting its candidature for the hosting of the seat of the Organisation.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the meetings of the Policy Organs of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which were held from 8 to 19 May in Mauritius. The meetings were represented by 19 countries, including 9 by their Heads of State and Government, and international and regional organisations. A Mini Economic Forum was organised on 16 May with the business community, Government officials and Ministers of the COMESA region to discuss issues of common interest, in particular the COMESA Free Trade Area and constraints and challenges faced by Africa in a globalised world.
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6. In line with the Government policy to encourage the development of leisure facilities for the Mauritian public and tourists, Cabinet has approved the grant of Leisure Development Certificates for the construction of leisure parks in Grand Baie and Vacoas and for the Water Park project in Belle Mare. Total investment will amount to around Rs 226M with employment opportunities for 110 people.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the recommendations of the Hadj Mission 2000 with a view to improving the organisation of Hadj for Mauritian pilgrims.
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8. Cabinet has agreed to the proclamation of eight Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act with a view to protecting marine biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine resources. The MPAs will be situated at Port Louis, Grand Port, Black River, Poudre d’Or, Poste Lafayette and Trou d’Eau Douce, including the two existing Marine Parks at Blue Bay and Balaclava.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the meetings held in Namibia in the context of the implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol. A dispute settlement Mechanism has been elaborated. Agreement has also been reached on the establishment of a permanent Coordination Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Technical Barriers to Trade Measures.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the SADC Meeting of Ministers responsible for Gender/Women Affairs held in Mauritius from 22 to 26 May 2000. Delegations from 11 SADC countries attended the meeting including 6 Ministerial delegations.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of –
(i) the mission led by the Minister of Education and Scientific Research to UK from 20 to 27 May with a view to establishing links with reputable institutions of higher education in that country and to constitute a support network to the University of Technology Mauritius;
(ii) the joint Public/Private sector mission led by the Minister of Economic Development, Productivity & Regional Development to the Republic of Namibia from 21 to 26 May. The Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Government outlining co-operation in various fields such as agriculture, tourism and Information Technology. Furthermore, negotiations had been held with economic operators for the setting up of joint ventures;
(iii) the Annual Meeting of Ministers of Tourism of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which took place on 26 May in Johannesburg. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure;
(iv) the Seventh Regional Conference of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) held from 22 to 25 May in Windhoek, Namibia. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Telecommunications & Information Technology. An Agreement on Co-operation in Electronic Commerce between Mauritius and Namibia was signed.
(v) the Fourth Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ Meeting (CYMM) held from 22 to 26 May in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The Mauritian delegation was led by the Minister of Youth and Sports.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Rose Belle Sugar Estate Board for year 2000/2001. Mr. B. Rajkomar has been reappointed as Chairman..
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