Décisions du Conseil des Ministres du 8 Février 2019

Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note des retombées de la visite du Président de la Mozambique à Maurice, des activités en hommage à Kaya entre autres.

1. Cabinet has taken note that during the visit of the President of the Republic of Mozambique in Mauritius, the following areas were identified for future cooperation namely:

(a) LNG Project;
(b) Development of a Regional Fishing Company;
(c) Development of Regional Cabotage Services;
(d) Initiatives for developing trade in goods and services;
(e) Joint development of a regional tourism cluster;
(f) Setting up of Industrial Park/Special Economic Zone in Mozambique; and
(g) Provision of Professional Services such as Financial, Banking, Insurance,egal and Accounting by Mauritian Operators in Mozambique.

The Economic Development Board has been designated as the coordinating body from the Mauritian Side to ensure the timely implementation of these projects in close collaboration with Business Mauritius and institutions both in the public and private sectors.

Close collaboration with regard to the fight against drug trafficking is also envisaged. The assistance of the Mozambican authorities has also been sought for the setting up of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum.

2. Cabinet has taken note of the arrangements being made in the context of the National Day Celebrations 2019 and HE Mr Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, would be the Chief Guest.

3. Cabinet has taken note of the arrangements being made for the holding of the International Gita Mahotsav in Mauritius from 13 to 16 February 2019.

4. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities that would be organised to pay tribute to late Joseph Réginald Topize (Kaya), Mauritian musician and the creator of « seggae ». The activities would include:

(a) cultural performances on 21 February 2019 by:

(i) the Conservatoire National de Musique François Mitterand at the Esplanade of the Municipal Council of Port Louis;
(ii) ‘Les Vents d’un Reve’ in front of Air Mauritius Building, Port Louis; and
(iii) the Atelier Mo’zar along the main allée of the Central Market.
(b) a forum/round table on the lyrics of Kaya at the Municipal Council of Port Louis; and

(c) a musical performance at the Port Louis Waterfront Esplanade, with the participation of various artistic groups.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the holding of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) Annual Conference on ‘Integration of Logistics and Maritime Connectivity in Africa’ and the Africa Ports Award Ceremony in Mauritius in June 2019. The objective of the Conference is to highlight the vital role of ports in shaping a development strategy in the African region, exploiting the comparative advantages and improving the competitiveness of economic actors. Some 300 delegates are expected to discuss topical issues and challenges on global transportation and logistics. The Africa Ports Award is a platform for celebrating excellence and merit of the actors in the port world. The ceremony would bring together the Chief Executives of the African ports grouped within the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation.

6. Cabinet has taken note of the setting up of an Inter-State (Regional) Gas Committee by SADC to promote the inclusion of natural gas in the regional energy mix and provide industrial development in the region. The SADC Council has decided to develop a Regional Gas Master Plan, covering evaluation of available natural gas resources and existing markets, gas utilisation strategy, supply and demand analysis, infrastructure development plans, institutional, regulatory and fiscal frameworks. The primary objectives of the Inter-State (Regional) Gas Committee are to:

(a) provide sound, comprehensive guidance and make recommendations based on best practices regarding the development of gas market and infrastructure for the region; and
(b) advise on policies and strategies to be developed and implemented in pursuit of a sustainable gas market for the benefit of all Member States.

7. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life would conduct a pilot study on “Development and Evaluation of a Technology-Assisted Diabetes Prevention Programme in Mauritius” to evaluate the impact of text messaging (SMS messaging) for the prevention of diabetes in the Mauritian population who are at high risk of developing diabetes. The study would be undertaken in collaboration with Mauritius Telecom and with the assistance of Prof A. Ramachandran, Chairman of Dr A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals and President of India Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, India. The objective of the study is to develop a cost effective, practical intervention to help prevent Mauritians with pre-diabetes from subsequently developing Type2 diabetes. The study would target some 400 participants.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the performance of the Export-Oriented Enterprises (EOE) Sector over the period January to November 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. The value of exports of the EOE Sector has increased by 2.0%. Increase has been recorded in the value of exports of textiles and clothing, fish and fish preparations, jewellery, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, medical devices, and watches and clocks. Growth has been recorded in exports to Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the USA and South Africa.
9. Cabinet has taken note that the candidacy of the Government of Mauritius to be part of the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport for the 2019-2020 membership has been retained. The Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport provides advice to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Member governments on sport policy issues, particularly related to Sport for Development and Peace and protecting the integrity of sport.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport to Japan. During his visit, the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport had a meeting with Mr Sato, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, with whom he discussed, among others, areas where Japanese assistance/collaboration could be beneficial to Mauritius such as climate change, ocean economy, fisheries, tourism and maritime security. He also met Mr T. Kitamura, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Land Transport and Tourism, Mr Adachi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Mr Ushio, Director-General, African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister had meetings with relevant Japanese agencies related to promotion of Japanese investment/assistance in overseas countries, namely the Japanese Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation of Transport and Urban Development, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency and the Japan – Africa Restructure Development Association. He also effected site visits to the Road Traffic Control Centre of Tokyo, the LRT Yurikamome, the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution at KOBE, and the construction site for Yagayama Tunnel.

11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission by the Minister of Tourism to New Delhi and Mumbai. In New Delhi, the Minister attended the South Asian Travel and Trade Exhibition (SATTE), the South Asia’s flagship business-to-business (B2B) travel and tourism exhibition. SATTE showcases India’s tourism potential to the world by bringing the global tourism market to India. Participants from 50 countries and 28 State Tourism Boards were able to network and gain profitable insights. In the margins of the SATTE, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority organised a Mauritian event in line with the theme: World’s most romantic destination.

The Minister also had a meeting with Hon. K.J. Alphons, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and discussed, among others, the various challenges facing the tourism industry in the respective countries and shared strategies for addressing same.

In Mumbai, the Minister of Tourism was the Chief Guest at the opening of the OTM Fair, which is the only travel trade show in Mumbai endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The tradeshow was also a unique opportunity for the pool of Indian and international exhibitors to showcase their travel products and services.

12. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Health and Quality of Life would make the Dental Council (Registration of Dental Surgeons and Dental Specialists) (Amendment) Regulations under the Dental Council Act with a view to amending the application form for registration as a dental surgeon and dental specialist The application form for registration would be amended for the applicant to declare that there is no legal impediment or criminal case before any authorised body or Court and nor any pending administrative or criminal case, against him.
13. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of the Board of the Special Education Needs Authority with Mrs Savitree Oogarah as Chairperson.

14. Cabinet has taken note that a swimming pool complex with associated amenities would be constructed at Closel, Phoenix. The project would be funded by the Emirates Airline. The Vacoas/Phoenix Swimming Pool Foundation has been setup to manage the construction and maintenance of the swimming pool complex. The Council of the Foundation would be chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the composition of the Medical Council of Mauritius for period 2019 to 2021.

16. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority with Mrs Fawzia Toorawa as Chairperson.