1. Cabinet has reviewed the programme of activities for the National Divali Celebrations 2004 which will consist inter alia of Ramayana chanting and painting competitions, an official launching ceremony at Rose Belle Stadium on 6 November 2004, a cultural show by artists from India and cultural programmes at the Port Louis Waterfront and Goodlands. Cabinet has taken note of the progress of work of the National Implementation Committee under the chair of former Judge R. Proag.
2. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the reforms in our sugar sector and has taken note that the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development has chaired a meeting of the High Powered Committee on Sugar on Friday 24 September. The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development had also had a positive meeting with trade unions of the sugar sector on 30 September, during which he reiterated the challenges and risks ahead in the sector.
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3. Cabinet has examined the White Paper on a New Legal Framework for Industrial Relations in Mauritius by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment and has decided that the document will be examined in depth at its next meeting. The White Paper will subsequently be released to the public.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the construction of 1,000 Firinga type housing units by the National Housing Development Company Ltd (NHDC), spread out on ten sites over the island. Two separate tendering exercises, for financing and for the design and construction of the housing units respectively, will be carried out simultaneously.
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5. Cabinet has agreed that the Food Regulations 1999 be amended to provide for permissible levels of fatty acids in certain food items to be calculated on a fat weight basis, in line with our national health campaign promoting a healthy lifestyle and in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation for daily intake of saturated fat.
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6. Cabinet has reviewed the issue of road safety near schools and has agreed to the setting up of a Ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport and comprising the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit and the Minister of Education and Scientific Research to work out the criteria to be laid down for the placing of humps near schools and to monitor the implementation of the programme for the installation of the speed breakers.
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7. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the Mare Chicose Landfill and has taken note that the Prime Minister and Ministers concerned will meet the “forces vives” to keep them aware of developments at Mare Chicose and on matters concerning solid waste disposal in general.
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8. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the “Ministère de l‘emploi, du travail et de la cohesion sociale” of the Republic of France and the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment with a view to developing cooperation in the fields of labour, industrial relations and employment.
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9. Cabinet has taken note that a second workshop on the SADC information 21 project will be held on 21 October 2004 at the Mauritius College of the Air to examine the Draft SADC Communications and Promotional Strategy. This Draft strategy paper has as main objective to communicate the objectives and achievements of SADC to the people of the region and to facilitate the information flow and communication between Member States.
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10. Cabinet has taken note that the 5th Meeting of the COMESA Directors of Customs and Directors of Statistics will be held from 11 to 14 October at Hotel La Plantation. The main objective of this Joint Meeting is to consider the work currently being done in the context of the Regional Agriculture and Trade Expansion Support (RATES) programme.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport to Johannesburg, South Africa from 14 to 16 September 2004 where he attended the Third Africa Investment Forum.
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