Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005 GIS - September 04: The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Dr. Vasant Bunwaree, gave a press conference this morning in Port Louis in connection with the proclamation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005.
According to Minister Bunwaree, there was an urgent need to review the previous law. He pointed out that the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005 will review the politics and strategies and will also consolidate and update the current legislation with present data.
Contrary to the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act 1988, this new legislation binds the State. Furthermore, the difference in treatment between the public and private sector which existed so far has been eliminated, thereby providing a decent workplace to all employees in Mauritius.
The new Act also makes provision for additional duties and responsibilities for employers, such as:
• Employers having 50 or more employees will have to make a written statement of their policy with respect to occupational safety and health in their enterprises;
• Appropriate procedures for fire, explosion, accidental release of substances hazardous to health or dangerous occurrences should be established;
• Employers will have to make suitable and sufficient risk assessment for their employees and for other persons who may be affected by their work activity, i.e. visitors, clients;
• Employers who have workers other than their own employees working in their undertaking have the obligation to inform these workers and also their respective employers of the risks to safety and health at the undertaking;
• Employers who have 50 or more employees are now required to establish a Safety and Health Committee which will be chaired by a representative of the Employer and a Vice-chairperson being a worker.
The Minister underlined that an employee may file a complaint against his employer with the Permanent Secretary or a representative if he considers that his safety and health can be adversely affected as a result of a breach of or inadequate measures taken under this Act.
COMESA Member States to enhance procurement reforms
GIS - September 04: More work is required at the COMESA level to move Member States to embark on legislative reform process to reach the desired level of procurement standard and countries already engaged in the reform process should sustain their efforts to bridge the capacity gaps.
This statement was made this morning at St George Hotel, by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Rama Sithanen, while opening a 2-day seminar on ‘Enhancing Procurement Reforms and Capacity Project’. Mr Sithanen also pointed out that efficient and effective public procurement systems are essential for the achievement of COMESA development goals, while at the same time generating high quality public spending and investment in the region.
This seminar aims at enhancing public procurement systems of COMESA Member States by modernising and harmonising the laws, regulations and procedures. It will also help in strengthening the countries' capacities to manage modern public procurement systems.
Mr Sithanen added that currently nine countries out of 19 regional members are at varying stages of the reform process, with some highly advanced while others have just started. He recalled that Mauritius also subscribes to the commitment taken and the country's new Public Procurement Act enshrines most of the provisions contained in the Directives.
Furthermore, Mr Sithanen announced that under this present project, COMESA would assist in the conduct of an Awareness and Sensitisation campaign on Modern Procurement Framework in Member States, support the development of National Legislative procurement reform process and develop, through consultancy services, procurement training modules. For the training component, COMESA has hired the services of the International Law Institute to carry out in October a diagnostic of procurement capacity in Mauritius.
Air Mauritius: Consolidation of Mauritius/ Kuala Lumpur route
GIS - September 03: A new Bilateral Air Services Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding have been concluded between the Aeronautical Authorities of Mauritius and that of Malaysia.
The new Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding incorporate specific provisions on which agreement has been reached. These are namely:
• the principle of multiple designation of airlines would be applicable for each Party;
• the designated airlines of each Party would be entitled to operate up to seven weekly frequencies, instead of three, with any aircraft type;
• the operation of cargo services would be unrestricted for both Parties for third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights;
• the designated airlines of Mauritius may operate up to two frequencies weekly to one beyond point in China, i.e., either Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou; and
• Singapore may continue to be served as an intermediate or beyond point by Air Mauritius with own stopover rights but without the exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights.
The Memorandum of Understanding has become effective as from 24 August 2007. It will allow Air Mauritius to further consolidate the Mauritius/Kuala Lumpur route in code share arrangements with Malaysian carriers whilst enabling it to use Kuala Lumpur as an intermediate point with fifth freedom traffic rights during its future operations to China.
Road Accident and Road Transport Statistics GIS – August 31: The number of fatal accidents during the first semester of 2007 went up by 45.5 percent to reach 64 compared to 44 for the corresponding period, last year. This was revealed by the latest Economic and Social Indicators on Road Transport and Road Traffic Accident Statistics published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). A total figure of 10,214 accidents was reported between January and June 2007 as compared to 10,030 for the same period in 2006, showing an increase of 1.8 percent.
The number of casualties for the first semester of 2007 increased by 28.7 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. A breakdown of casualties is as follows:
Casualties Jan – June 2006 and Jan – June 2007
Jan – June 2006 Jan – June 2007 %
Casualties 1,189 1,530 +28.7
Fatal 45 71 +57.8
Seriously injured 155 257 +65.8
Slightly injured 989 1,202 +21.5
Vehicles registered
According to the Economic and Social Indicators, as at end of June 2007, there were 326,501 vehicles registered at the National Transport Authority. This represents a net increase of 2.2 percent that is 7,061 vehicles, as compared to the end of December 2006 when figures stood at 319,440.
Between January and June 2007, the fleet was strengthened with the registration of 9,445 vehicles, of which 6,141 were new, 2,520 were imported second hand and the other 784 were re-registered vehicles previously put off the road. During the same period, 2,384 vehicles were put off the road.
The fleet of vehicles as at the end of June 2007 consisted mainly of motorized two-wheelers (43%) as well as cars and dual purpose vehicles (43%). The remaining 14% of the fleet comprised vans, lorries and trucks, buses and other vehicles.
Human Rights Centre, a reality GIS - August 30: The Human Rights Centre was inaugurated yesterday afternoon by the Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam. This Centre, the first of its kind in the region, has as objectives to inform and educate people about their rights, and its premises are located opposite the Supreme Court in Port-Louis.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that it is primordial that every citizen should be empowered and that can be achieved if people know about their guaranteed rights and apply them and also respect other people's rights.
A documentation centre and a library will allow the public and other interested parties to learn about human rights. Officers of the ministry of Justice and Human Rights will be posted at the Centre so as to guide and help people through issues related to human rights. The Centre also comprises of a conference room that can be used by NGOs and any other parties. The conference room will be used by various NGOs to educate people about human rights.
Dr. Navin Ramgoolam expressed his wish that this Human Rights Centre becomes a model for the region and that the public at large makes judicious use it. He also said that access to justice should be guaranteed to everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, community, age and gender.
Mr. J. Valayden, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Human Rights, said that he wanted to see Mauritius as the country of human rights and a model copied by other countries in the region. He also said that human rights can only be a reality when all people are equal in rights and dignity.
On that occasion, the Prime Minister also unveiled the statue of Anjalay Coopen, which is now found on the premises of the Human Rights Centre.
I nformation and Communication Technologies Statistics 2006 GIS - August 22: In 2006, value added generated by the ICT sector was Rs 10.5 billion, more than double the 2000 figure of Rs 4.5 billion. The contribution of this sector to the Gross Domestic Product was 5.8% in 2006. After a growth of 6.4% in 2001, the sector registered a two figure digit annual growths during the period 2002 to 2006. The growth rate in 2006 was 11.2% compared to 18% in 2005.
According to the first issue of the Economic and Social Indicators dedicated to the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, there were a total of 116 large establishments operating in this sector in 2006 compared to 52 in 2000. The number of internet service providers which was only one in 2000 reached seven in 2006.
The number of internet subscribers at the end of 2006 reached 137,500 compared to 35,000 in 2000, representing an increase of 300%. The number of internet subscribers per 100 inhabitants worked out to 10.9%in 2006 compared to only 2.9% in 2000. As regards mobile cellular subscribers the number reached 772,400 in 2006 compared to 174,500 in 2000. Mobidensity, that is the number of mobile cellular phones per 100 inhabitants, increased by more than 300% reaching 61.5 in 2006 compared to 14.6 in 2000.
Figures published in the Economic Indicators show that the number of fixed telephone lines was 357,300 in 2006 compared to 262,000 in 2000. Teledensity defined as the number of fixed telephones lines per 100 inhabitants which was 22.0 in 2000 increased to around 28.4 in 2003, a level which was still maintained in 2006.
In 2006, the number of local calls made from a fixed telephone amounted to 1,391.2 million minutes compared to 1, 440.1 million minutes in 2005. Conversely, during the same period, the total number of calls from mobile cellular telephones increased from 702.9 million minutes in 2005 to 853.3 million minutes in 2006.
The number of employees in these establishments increased by 87.6% to reach 8 180 (4,600 males and 3,580 females) in 2006 from 4,360 (2,750 males and 1,610 females) in 2000. Employment in the ICT sector as a percentage of total employment in large establishments increased to 2.8% in 2006 from 1.5% in 2000.
New agricultural landscape for Mauritius
GIS - August 21: We need to brace ourselves to face the harsh realities and devise the necessary plan to safeguard our food security, the Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr. Arvin Boolell, said today at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Bell Village. The Minister was speaking at the opening of a one-day workshop on Strategic options in crop diversification and livestock sector 2007-2015. All the stakeholders of the non-sugar agricultural sector were present.
The main objective of this Workshop is to establish a basic policy framework and a vision for the food, agriculture and related areas, and clearly define the roles of each stakeholder group, the State, as well as those of the farmers/producers, the agro-industries and the consumers, including their respective institutions and organisations.
The ministry is in the process of re-orientating the roles of agriculture for the period 2007-2015 by laying more emphasis on ensuring food stability and security, while still giving due importance to the multifunctional roles of agriculture. The adverse effects of the reduction in the price of sugar will reflect on the non-sugar sector, thus it is imperative to come up with a plan to dampen the consequences and manage production in the non-sugar sector more efficiently. The workshop will come up with a Strategic Plan which will be adopted after consultation with all the stakeholders.
The Strategic Plan will also provide alternative strategic options for a diversified agriculture and agro-industry, offering new opportunities to those planters who would wish to shift to activities other than sugar cane, as well as to new agro-entrepreneurs.
Regional Training Workshop on Energy Statistics
GIS - August 21: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Rama Sithanen, underlined the crucial need for building capacity for comprehensive energy statistics and energy indicators in the Southern African Development Community.
Speaking this morning at the Gold Crest Hotel at the opening of a 4-day regional Training Workshop on Energy Statistics and Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development in the SADC countries, Mr. Sithanen pointed out that providing modern energy services to the population of Africa remains a major and pressing challenge, adding that energy is one of the most important factors for sustaining economic and social development.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Africa has enough resources to meet all its energy needs. However, there is need for a shift in SADC from an individual approach to a collective regional approach in energy planning.
Mr. Sithanen also pointed out the recent soaring of oil prices in Mauritius, where imported energy makes around 75 percent of the energy supply and accounts more than 25 percent of the total import bill thus giving an adverse impact that energy price hikes can have on the economy. He urged the need to revisit the country's energy policy to achieve self-reliance and ensure that the majority of the population has access to modern energy services. He recalled that reliable data will make a significant contribution to bring about the much needed progress on energy development in Africa.
For his part the Minister of Public Utilities, Mr. A. T. Kasenally, said that the policy of the Government is to shift the reliance from petroleum products to a more diversified energy basket comprising coal and renewables energy sources. He recalled that Mauritius already relies on renewable sources for 22 percent of its electricity supply and that coal, bagasse, solar and wind energy seem, for the time being, the best resources for Mauritius.
Cooperation between IVTB and AREU in Manpower Training GIS - August 16: The Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB) and the Agricultural and Research Extension Unit (AREU) are joining forces for pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships in order to respond effectively to training needs in agriculture and agro-industry. In this context, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions was signed on August 15 at IVTB House, Phoenix.
Faced with the growing challenges of globalisation and increasing competition in the agricultural sector, AREU is laying emphasis on capacity building, enhanced quality and standards as well as the adoption of good agricultural practices for increased development and competitiveness in the agribusiness sector. The MoU aims at promoting long term cooperation between AREU and IVTB in these fields and building up a framework which comprises development, delivery of training, provision of technical assistance and marketing counselling.
Both parties will collaborate to provide assistance in curriculum development and design and in the maintenance of mechanical equipment and instruments used in modern farming and agro-industry. They will provide support to run the National Trade Certification 3 course in agriculture and also extend assistance in the 'Train the trainer' programme.
The Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, present at the signature ceremony, said farmers must be provided with proper mentoring to be able to produce larger volumes of quality food crops to better respond to the needs of consumers, especially in the wake of the abolition of preferences in this era of high competitiveness.
“A coherent approach to training will therefore have to be developed so as to give resilience to the agricultural sector”, he said.
For his part, the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Mr Dharam Gokhool, underscored the importance of modernizing and revitalizing the agriculture sector so as to remain competitive and innovative.
“The IVTB and AREU will have to work together to raise the level of professionalism in the agricultural sector through the training process,” he further added.
Prime Minister attends 27th SADC Summit in Zambia
GIS - August 15:The Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, left Mauritius this morning at the head of a delegation to attend the 27th Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which will be held on 16 and 17 August in Lusaka, Zambia.
The two major themes of the Summit are economic integration at the regional level and the development of infrastructure in Southern Africa. The Heads of State and of Government will also take stock of the report of the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation as well as the report of the ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration.
The regional economic and social situation, agriculture and food security, gender and HIV and AIDS will be reviewed. Preparations in view of the holding in Mauritius in 2008 of the International Conference on Poverty alleviation will also be taken up by the Summit.
National Multisectoral HIV & AIDS Strategic Framework 2007-2011
GIS - August 14: Cabinet has taken note of the National Multisectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2007 - 2011 prepared by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to respond to the findings of the Biennial United Nations General Assembly Special Session Report 2005 and international conventions.
The overall goal of the Strategic Framework is to prevent new HIV infection and provide a continuum of comprehensive care to people living with HIV and AIDS so as to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on individuals, families, communities and the society at large. Defined strategic objectives have been geared to address identified constraints, emerging epidemic drivers and unmet needs of groups with high-risk behaviours.
In a bid to ensure the implementation of projects, programmes and activities of the strategic plan, a National AIDS Coordinating Authority, having a broad-based multisectoral mandate, has been set up at the Prime Minister's Office.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life proposes to make regulations under the HIV and AIDS Act to provide for HIV testing, Centres for treatment of HIV positive persons and implementation of the Needle Exchange Programme.
In this context, the following guidelines have been prepared:
• Guidelines on HIV testing provided by the National Reference Laboratory;
• Guidelines for Pre-Test Counselling;
• Administrative Guidelines for Post-Test Counselling; and
• Guidelines on the measures for ensuring the confidentiality of information in respect of HIV tests or related medical assessment of any person.
Induction programme for newly appointed Medical Records Assistants
GIS - August 13: “Government is committed to providing health care from primary to high-tech medical care, including open heart surgery, free of charge at the point of use to the entire population.”
The Minister of Health & Quality of Life, Mr. S. Faugoo, made this statement this morning at the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Hall, at the opening of an induction programme for some 200 newly recruited Medical Records Assistants. He stated that in spite of the difficult economic situation for the current financial year, the public health budget is nearly Rs 4.5 billion thus representing 7.2 per cent of total public expenditure.
The Minister also emphasised the concept of customer care which is one of the prominent features of all organisations but which is mostly visible in sectors where there is routine interaction with the public. As per the main duties of the Medical Records Cadre, he added, they should be a provider of customized service, proactive and that attitude and courtesy should go in pair as they are the first and last point of contact with the patients.
In respect of health services, he underscored the need for a strong and committed workforce to attend to the demand of the public. He also reiterated that the hospital system forms a significant part of the socio-economic activities of the nation, with more than 75 per cent of the health budget allocated to the public hospitals.
The Ministry of Health & Quality of Life has presently a workforce of 13,000 officers from various departments, amongst which 565 officers are from the Medical Records Department, 723 doctors, 54 dentists, 22 pharmacists, 2,915 nurses and midwives for an average of 2,700,000 outpatient attendances and 200,000 inpatient admissions every year.
Workshop on Clearing House Mechanism Project
GIS - August 13: A five-day workshop on Clearing House Mechanism and Information Sharing System on Eastern African Coastal Marine Environment started this morning at the Meteorological Services at Vacoas.
The workshop is organised in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and brings together around twenty participants from Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles and Tanzania as well as a representative from the Indian Ocean Commission. The workshop will be conducted by three experts from the UNEP and by one officer from the Meteorological Services.
In his opening speech, the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Civil Service, Mr S. C. Seeballuck, underlined the importance for Mauritius to monitor and preserve its coastal and marine resources. He recalled that such workshops should serve as a mechanism for catalysing actions for gathering information, conducting analyses of transboundary concerns, building capacity to work jointly, identifying needed reforms and investment in action programmes and leveraging funds to implement the programmes.
One of the main objectives of the Clearing House Mechanism Project is to improve coordination and participation of the Western Indian Ocean countries in the sustainable management of the coastal and marine resources. The Project aims also at enabling better access and exchange of accurate, scientific, technical and environmental information among these countries.
During the workshop, the focus will be on the Geographic Information System (GIS) as it is the main requirement for the setting up of a one-stop database related to the Clearing House Mechanism Project. The GIS tool is a software which has several functions such as capturing, storing, analysing, displaying and generating outputs.
The outputs generated under the Clearing House Mechanism Project will be accessible online and will comprise maps, images, data and information which can be used by decision makers, resource managers, planners, environmentalists and research scientists in order to help them in making quick and right decisions.
Workshop on Setting up a National Bioethics Committee in Mauritius
GIS - August 10: A workshop on the setting up of a National Bioethics Committee in Mauritius was inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr. Madan Dulloo, on August 9 at the University of Mauritius.
In his address, the Minister said that bioethics is not easy to define as it covers all life sciences. He stated that biotechnology, genetic engineering, environment and biodiversity management as well as cloning, genetically modified organism, stem cell research, organs transplant and human longevity have given a new dimension to bioethics.
According to the Minister, the existence of a National Bioethics Committee will demonstrate that research and development are taking place in a framework of universal principles. It will create an independent body that could advise government on bioethical issues, possible legislation, ethics education and raise public awareness, he said.
“Policy makers, scientists and professionals should be able to show that they take responsibility to ensure that rapid advance in science and technology remain coherent with respect for human values, living beings and the dignity of the human person while safeguarding human rights, fundamental freedoms, culture and the environment”, the Minister added.
In line with the policy of branding Mauritius as a Centre of Excellence, the Minister underscored the need for conforming strictly to international norms, standards, values and ethics. He further added that a National Bioethics Committee can have a regional outreach and that Mauritius may host the Regional Centre for Bioethics.
As soon as the National Bioethics Committee will be set up, Mauritius will establish a Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCO.
MEXA delegation meets Minister Dulloo
GIS - August 09: Government is trying its best to be present on all fronts to better serve the economic interest of the country.
This assurance was given by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr. Madan Dulloo, on August 8 during a meeting with a delegation of the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA), led by its Chairman, Mr. Francois de Grivel. The Minister pointed out that Mauritius is taking advantage of the excellent relations existing with a large number of countries to promote the economic and trade agenda.
The meeting enabled an exchange of views on the salient elements pertaining to the enhancement of trade and investment by the private sector and gave the opportunity to discuss strategies to consolidate and promote exports from Mauritius.
Discussions focused on the following trade and investment issues: trade opportunities within the COMESA, SADC, IOC and IOR-ARC regions; the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with the European Union; the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act; the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States; and the state of play of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation.
Opportunities under the Bilateral Trade Agreements were also reviewed and it was agreed to explore possibilities for entering into similar bilateral agreements with other countries. Moreover, the meeting covered the efforts towards branding Mauritius, including the promotion of exports from new and emerging sectors of the economy.
Mauritius to acquire two wave riders and two tide gauges
GIS - August 08: Following the participation of Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, in the Clinton Initiative in September 2005, former President Clinton has informed him that a number of international agencies have come together to form a Consortium to assist countries in the Indian Ocean region in strengthening their capacity for Tsunami Early Warning and Response Systems. He also informed that Mauritius could take advantage of the financial assistance from the Consortium as it submitted an Action Plan to cope with the eventuality of a tsunami.
Mauritius, which had submitted its Action Plan in due time, has been selected among the 10 out of the 28 countries in the Indian Ocean to benefit from a grant of US$ 300 000 for the acquisition of two waves riders i.e. one for Mauritius and one for Rodrigues, and two tide gauges for St Brandon and Agalega.
The assistance provided by former President Clinton is in addition to the facilities extended for the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.
Work Placement for Secondary and Vocational Schools Students
GIS - July 25: The Human Resource Development Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources launched this morning at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Moka, a pilot project on work placement for students of secondary and vocational schools during the school holidays.
The programme targets around 150 Lower VI students and 100 prevocational students. Around 30 schools are participating in this programme which involves the placement of students from 25 July to 10 August 2007 in different public and private sector organisations. Among organisations which have accepted to place these students are inter alia: Mauritius Ports Authority, Airports of Mauritius Limited, National Transport Corporation, Mauritius Revenue Authority and British American Insurance.
Mr Dharam Gokhool, minister of Education and Human Resources, said at the launching ceremony that ''the need to establish a linkage and a formal communication network between our schools and industry is today considered to be a top priority if we want to reduce the mismatch between the output of our schooling system and the requirements of the world of work”. The aim is therefore to expose the students to techniques, tools and practical skills that have become indispensable in the emerging sectors.
The work placement project will provide students opportunity to consolidate academic learning with practical work. It will also help increase comprehension of the work culture and hence make the students more employable. Participants will also be provided with information about potential career opportunities existing in different sectors of the economy. A formal communication network will also be established with schools, training institutions and the industry.
The project will subsequently span during the November-December holidays to a larger number of students, including those of Form IV, Form VI and the prevocational schools.
6 th Joint Working Group Meeting between Mauritius and Pakistan GIS - July 24: The 6th Joint Working Group Meeting between Mauritius and Pakistan will be held on 27 and 28 July 2007 in Port Louis.
The main objective of the Meeting is to clear all outstanding issues pertaining to the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) following the 5th session of the Joint Working Group held from 11 to 13 January 2007 in Islamabad. With a view to enhancing trade relations between Mauritius and Pakistan, the two governments have initiated a comprehensive work programme, which includes the signing of a PTA and several Memoranda of Understanding.
With the signing of the PTA, Mauritius would act as a gateway for Pakistani investors willing to penetrate the African region, in particular the COMESA and SADC markets. This is in line with Government's policy to promote Mauritius as a business hub that will forge linkages between Africa and Asia.
The 6th session of the Joint Working Group meeting will discuss means to further enhance cooperation ties between Mauritius and Pakistan which will ultimately lead to achieving a free trade area. The agenda of the meeting comprises interactive sessions with the private sector on trade and investment opportunities and the elaboration of a framework for economic, technical and scientific cooperation.
Under the PTA, Pakistan will obtain market access for products like tiles, crisp bread, carpets, curtains, table linen, wooden articles, and sweet biscuits, amongst others. For its part, Pakistan will extend access to its market for Mauritian products such as textiles and clothing and non textiles products like fresh cut flowers, fish products, black tea, sugar confectionery and pasta.
Mauritius obtains Rs 3.5 billion line of credit from China
GIS - July 23: The official visit of the Prime Minister to the People's Republic of China from 10 to 16 July was a real success on all fronts, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam said at a press conference on Saturday 21 July at the Treasury Building. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Rama Sithanen was also present.
The Prime Minister said that Mauritius has benefited from the Chinese government a line of credit amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion over the next three years. He pointed out that the money will be mostly used for public utilities infrastructure developments such as waste water, the port and for easing up road traffic problems in Mauritius.
Dr. Navin Ramgoolam expressed his optimism that Mauritius will become a bridge to link China to Africa, so that China can access the African market through COMESA and SADC. The Prime Minister said that the first phase regarding the implementation of the Tianli project has already been finalized and that construction will start in October this year. He added that this project will generate a Foreign Direct Income estimated at Rs 17 billion over the next five years.
During his visit, the Prime Minister had meetings with the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr Hu Jintao, and the Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao. He also participated in investment promotion campaigns in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The Prime Minister said that talks have also been held to encourage leading Chinese firms to open offices in Mauritius. He added that such projects will materialize given the cordial ties that both countries have developed over the last three decades.
The Minister of Finance added that the credit line will also be used to finance projects such as the Bagatelle Dam and converting Highlands into a new urban zone.
International Advisory Committee on Diabetes
GIS - July 23: A meeting of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of the National Service Framework for Diabetes (NSFD) will be held from 2 to 6 August 2007 at Domaine les Pailles. Eminent professors and doctors from abroad will also participate in the meeting.
The objects of the IAC are to:
• guide and give momentum to the implementation of the NSFD;
• help the development of Mauritius as a WHO Collaborating Centre for diabetes for the region;
• advise on the setting up of a Mauritius Diabetes and Cardiovascular Institute; and
• provide technical support for diabetes care in Mauritius.
It is expected that activities held in the context of the meeting of the IAC will boost the momentum for the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases, particularly with regard to diabetes and its related complications. The meeting will also help take stock of the diabetes situation and mobilize funds and technical support internationally for diabetes care in Mauritius.
The professors and doctors will also help update the medical and paramedical staff in latest developments in the treatment of diabetes.
N egotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement GIS - July 18: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation in collaboration with the COMESA Secretariat will be organising, from the 23rd of July to the 3rd of August 2007, a series of meetings in the context of the negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) group of countries.
These meetings will consist mainly of Dedicated Sessions on Fisheries, Market Access, Trade Related Issues, and Development. The holding of a 12th Regional Negotiating Forum (RNF) will also be on the agenda.
The different Dedicated Sessions will examine in detail the comments received from the EU on the proposals submitted by the ESA in the different cluster of issues that are currently subject to negotiations. The RNF meeting, which will be attended by negotiators at Ambassadorial and technical levels, will consider proposals from the Dedicated Sessions and will work towards reaching a consensus on the negotiating position to be adopted at the forthcoming joint EU-ESA Negotiating Session scheduled for September 2007.
Mauritius will assume the chairmanship of the RNF and the Committee of Ambassadors negotiating the EPA for the next 6 months.
The meetings will be attended by some 60 participants from the ESA countries namely, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
MOU on Land Administration, Valuation and Management Information System GIS - July 17: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Land Administration, Valuation and Management Information System (LAVIMS) was signed this morning at the Ministry of Housing and Land. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr. Asraf Dulull, and the Minister for Employment Protection, Housing and Works, Indigenous Affairs, Heritage and Land Information of Western Australia, Mrs. Michelle Roberts.
The MOU allows the two parties to cooperate in LAVIMS in accordance with their respective national laws, rules and procedures. The MOU will be beneficial to Mauritius in the fields of technical advice, business management advice and training, strategic planning and priority setting, project management, quality assurance process, audits and reporting, professional work placement training program.
The LAVIMS project has two main objectives:
• establish an efficient and cost-effective land administration and information system, that is, an online and dynamic cadastre; and
• set up a general valuation roll of some 300,000 residential properties, privately or State-owned.
The introduction of the National Residential Property Tax as outlined in the budget speech 2006-2007 requires that the Land Administration and Management Systems (LAMS) project takes on board the component of a General Valuation Roll. The latter is meant to be used as a tool for the imposition of a fairer taxation regime. Consequently, the LAMS project became LAVIMS.
The next phase of this project is the launching of a Request for Proposal for the setting up of the LAVIMS by mid-August 2007. Occupational Safety and Health Workshop to address workplace hazards
GIS - July 16: International Labour Organisation (ILO) Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems 2001 is the focus of a two-day national tripartite workshop inaugurated this morning at Gold Crest Hotel, Quatre Bornes.
In this context, two experts in Occupational Safety and Health from the ILO are inMauritiusto provide technical assistance in the formulation of appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of the guidelines.
The Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems may be applied on national and organisational levels. At national level, they provide for the establishment of a national framework for Occupational Safety and Health Management system and at organizational level, they encourage the integration of Occupational Safety and Health Management System elements as an important component of overall policy and management organizations. The main elements of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System are: Policy, Organising, Planning and Implementation, Evaluation, Action for Improvement, Audit and Continual Improvement.
In his opening speech, the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Dr. Vasant Bunwaree, reiterated the commitment of his ministry to increase opportunities for workers to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
“Decent work has been and will be at the heart of our national strategies for economic and social progress. The provision of decent work at workplace ranks high on the agenda of this Government as clearly expressed in our development programme.” he said.
The Minister underlined the need to develop strategies to address new hazards emerging in the workplace and pointed out that more emphasis should be laid on life-long training and education for the development of appropriate competencies. “We should be prepared to face the new emerging workplace hazards arising due to new technology, new work patterns and so on,” Dr. Bunwaree said.
For the Director of Health and Safety Inspectorate, Mr. S. Balgobin, the workshop comes at a most opportune time given the new legislative framework about to be put into place for an effective and strong safety and health culture at the workplace.
Mauritius delegation attends 8th World Hindi Conference
GIS - July 12: A high-level delegation led by the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Mr Dharam Gokhool, is attending the 8th World Hindi Conference which opens on July 13 in New York. The Conference is organized by the Government of India in collaboration with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan of New York and other Hindi organizations based in the United States.
The 8th World Hindi Conference coincides with the 150th anniversary of India's first freedom struggle, the 60th anniversary of its independence and the 100th anniversary of the Satyagraha movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. The central theme of the conference is Hindi at the World Stage. The inaugural ceremony, which will be followed by an academic session on Hindi in the UN, will take place at the United Nations Headquarters.
The conference will, amongst others, deliberate on issues relating to the growth and presence of Hindi in the world. It will also provide an opportunity to assess the current status of the teaching of Hindi as a foreign language in various countries and to suggest measures to increase its use in the fields of economy, science and Information and Communications Technology.
The Minister of Education and Human Resources will make an offer for the holding in Mauritius of the next World Hindi Conference.
F ourth National Ocean Science Forum Launched GIS - July 11: The Fourth National Ocean Science Forum, jointly organised by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute and the University of Mauritius, was officially launched today by the acting Prime Minister Dr A. R. Beebeejaun.
This two-day Forum held at the Octave Wiéhé Auditorium, Réduit, aims at communicating and demonstrating to the scientific community and the public at large the results of research and the importance of oceanography in the conservation, maintenance, management, utilisation, and development of resources based on marine and coastal ecosystems.
Eminent scientists from foreign institutions are participating in this Forum. An electronic database of marine organisms, listing over 6 000 species and over 1 000 references, was also launched. This database, which will be updated periodically, is available on the website of the Mauritius Oceanography Institute, www.moi.gov.mu.
Since its creation, the Institute has been actively involved in preparing of the submission of Mauritius to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS). The project consists of establishing the outer edge of the continental margin wherever it extends beyond 200 nautical miles.
The Institute aims at developing new research projects in collaboration with other institutions, both local and foreign, and also to sensitising the public by creating better awareness of marine environmental protection.
Tourism: Development of a strong brand for Mauritius
GIS - July 10: The inter-ministerial Committee set up to develop a strong brand for Mauritius in a bid to better promote Mauritius as a tourist destination held its first meeting last week to decide on the implementation aspects of this concept.
The Committee was chaired by the Minister of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications and comprised the Minister of Agro industry and Fisheries, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice & Human Rights, the Minister of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce and Cooperatives and the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
Following this meeting, a working group consisting of stakeholders from both the private and public sectors will also be set up to define modalities of the branding strategy for Mauritius and also to ensure national commitment in the process.
The development of a strong brand for Mauritius is essential to obtain maximum international recognition and to better project the image of Mauritius not only as an established tourist destination but also a preferred location for investment and business.
Chief Justice elected Commissioner of the African Commission on Human Rights
GIS - July 09: The Chief Justice, His Lordship Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, has been elected Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights during the 11th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.
He came out first ex-aequo with the candidate presented by Mozambique. The election of the Chief Justice represents recognition of the importance which Mauritius attaches to Human Rights, both at local and international levels.
D ecentralised Cooperation Programme selects 51 projects GIS - July 06: Fifty one micro-projects focussed on poverty alleviation submitted by NGOs, Community based organisations, parastatal bodies and local authorities from Mauritius and Rodrigues have been selected by the Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP).
The handing-over ceremony of Grant contracts to the beneficiaries, out of which 17 are for the upper-tier projects and 34 for the lower-tier, was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre on July 5. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Rama Sithanen, and the Head of Delegation of the European Commission, Mrs Claudia Wiedey, were present.
The aim of DCP is to improve the strategic planning, advocacy, tooling and implementation capacity of non state actors (NSA) involved in the areas of poverty alleviation, good governance and fight against unemployment. The NSAs will serve as a conduit to assist the vulnerable groups and provide handholding to beneficiaries.
For these micro-projects, a two-tier system of grants has been implemented. Small grants for lower-tier run from Rs 115,000 up to a maximum of Rs 385,000 while the upper-tier grants from Rs 385,000 up to Rs 3,850,000. The overall budget made available under this programme amounts to Rs 57 million, which comprises Rs 19 million for the lower-tier and Rs 38 million for the upper-tier projects.
The Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP) is currently being implemented at the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development under the 9th European Development Fund. The global objective of this 13.5 million Euro DCP for Mauritius is focussed on poverty reduction through capacity building of non state actors.
InnovEd 2007: Unlocking the creative energies of the youth
GIS - July 06: The award ceremony of the third edition of InnovEd 2007, which saw the participation of around 8,600 students and 332 schools from Mauritius and Rodrigues, was held on July 5 at the Octave Wiéhé Auditorium in Réduit. This project implemented jointly by the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources aims at harnessing the creative potential of students while at the same time enthusing them about technology.
InnovEd aims at promoting innovation in the education sector and it is a celebration of the creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity of young students. The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Mr Dharam Gokhool, present at the award ceremony, recalled that creativity and innovation are the latest buzzwords in today's highly globalised economy.
“Our future lies in our capacity to innovate. In the education sector, it is the very lifeblood for qualitative improvements. Teachers, students and schools have a key role to play in promoting creativity”, he said.
In a bid to transform Mauritius into a knowledge hub, the government is acknowledging the vital role of science and technology and emphasis is being laid on Education, Research and Innovation. To this end, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources is proposing to make science a compulsory subject up to Form 5, Mr Gokhool said. A list of co-curricular and extracurricular programmes focused on moral values, social integration, character building and team spirit is in the process of being finalized.
For this edition, the NPCC enlisted the support of the Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) from the USA. In January 2007, CIC delegated two of its directors to train a pool of 66 facilitators for the project who in turn trained about 430 teachers. Five regional exhibitions were held including one in Rodrigues after which forty projects were short listed and four projects were rewarded.
The winners from the pre-primary, primary lower secondary and upper secondary schools are Moka Government School, Abdool Raman Abdool Government School, Grande Montagne College of Rodrigues and Hindu Girls College respectively.
Marine and Agricultural Resources Support Programme Consultative Meeting
GIS - July 05: The consultative meeting on Marine and Agricultural Resources Support Programme formulated by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was launched at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute on July 4.
The programme aims at improving the livelihood and incomes of poor and rural households in Mauritius and Rodrigues through economic and social empowerment. The total cost of the programme is estimated at Rs 545 million, which is made up of a combination of loans and grants.
In his address at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, said that the main role of IFAD is to reduce poverty and provide appropriate support for enhancing the productive potential of the poor so that they can help themselves to overcome poverty. On this score, the Minister recalled that the agricultural sector, apart from its traditional mission, is now called upon to play a more pronounced role in employment creation, rural development and poverty alleviation.
As regards the sugar sector, Dr Boolell pointed out that, in the wake of the adverse effects of the reduction in the guaranteed price, his ministry is coming up with a new strategic orientation for the non sugar sector.
“Existing and potential farmers and agro business entrepreneurs would be given all support to promote agricultural activities and engage in high value agricultural production through clustering and networking and encouraging processing and value addition to primary products”, he said.
A wareness Campaign on job opportunities for women in non-traditional sector GIS - July 04: A national awareness campaign related to job opportunities for women in non-traditional sectors was launched today at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute at the joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, the Ministry of Women's Rights, Child Development, Family Welfare and Consumer Protection and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The objective is to sensitise unemployed and retrenched women about the different facilities offered under the Empowerment Programme. Emphasis will be laid on training, employment and the creation of enterprises. The government is targeting all those women who are housewives, retrenched and those who are unemployed. This campaign is in line with measures outlined in the 2007-2008 budget and is geared towards combating female unemployment, poverty and exclusion.
According to this programme, women interested to take up employment in the non-traditional sectors such as tile laying, plumbing, building painter and plumbing, will be channelled to the Women Centres and the National Women Development Centre to register for training. The Industrial and Training Vocational Board will thereafter organise training for batches of 60 women. The Ministry of Women's Rights, Child Development, Family Welfare and Consumer Protection will seek the collaboration of the Building and Civil Engineering and Contractors' Association to ensure that those who will be trained in the construction sector will be recruited by the Association.
Employment statistics for the year 2006 show that only 800 women as compared to 47,600 men are employed in the construction sector. Out of the 800 women, 61% are typists, interior decorators, data input clerks and draughtsmen. 39% are bricklayers, electricians, masons, construction labourers and plumbers.
Site for First Land-Based Oceanic Industry identified GIS - July 03: Flic en Flac has been identified as the site where the first Land-Based Oceanic Industry would be set up.
The Land-Based Oceanic Industry aims at commercially exploiting the characteristics unique to deep sea water for the production of desalinated mineral water, the replacement of conventional electrical air conditioning, use in the development of organic pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, as well as for thalassotherapy and aquaculture, amongst others.
This project constitutes one of the emerging pillars of economic growth and aims at establishing linkages with other economic activities like tourism and the manufacturing sector. While generating revenue from export and local tourism market, it will create productive employment opportunities and also accelerate the economic democratisation process.
D iplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and St Vincent and The Grenadines GIS - July 02: Mauritius has established diplomatic relations at non-resident Ambassadorial levels with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines.
The Joint Communiqués were signed by Ambassador Somduth Soborun, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations in New York, and his counterparts Mr. Milos Prica, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN, and Mrs. Margaret Hughes Ferrari, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines to the United Nations.
The decision to establish diplomatic relations has been guided by the mutual desire to initiate and develop ties of friendship and cooperation between the two States in political, trade, economic, cultural, technical and in any other field, on the basis of common agreement.
Food and Agricultural Market Information System launched GIS - June 28: The Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries underlined the need for Mauritius to become self-sufficient in agricultural production so that 'we produce what we eat and eat what we produce'. Dr. Boolell who launched the Food and Agricultural Market Information System (FAMIS) at the Farmers Service Corporation (FSC), St Pierre on June 27th said that for this to happen it is primordial to mobilize our resources and seize opportunities to share our knowledge. The ceremony was attended by representatives of COMESA Member States.
In his address, Minister Arvin Boolell invited COMESA members to share relevant information and to interact so as clear-cut policies can be made regarding cross border initiatives.
FAMIS is an electronic web based information system that captures trade information for major tradable commodities in the region. It aims at improving agricultural marketing through the dissemination of trade and market information. It covers the twenty COMESA Member States including Mauritius.
Once operational, the website will consolidate and feature critical trade information such as prices, regional wide crop production statistics, supply and demand figures, policy changes and impacts and the regulations and procedures that govern trade in the Member States.
FAMIS will also go further to highlight the existing opportunities for investment in the region and enhance the promotion of investment in agriculture in the region. It has been recognized by COMESA that making the e-system work for trade will not happen automatically as Member States will have to manage and maintain the system to make it effective and sustainable
23rd Meeting of the Board of Governors of the PTA Bank
GIS - June 27: Mauritius is implementing fundamental reforms to harness the confluence of opportunities that the new global economic landscape brings and is engaged in a transition from preference based development to a growth model focused on global competitiveness.
The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr. V. Bunwaree, made this statement today at Le Maritim Hotel at the opening of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, officially known as the PTA Bank, in the presence of delegates from Africa and China.
Minister Bunwaree stated that a number of opportunities are coming up for Africa and for countries in the region as the world economic architecture is changing. He added that south-south cooperation is taking on a completely new dimension with the emergence of China, India and Brazil.
He further added that Mauritius is joining efforts with other countries in the region through COMESA and SADC to promote the agenda of Free Trade Areas. He also stated that Mauritius is turning to the development partners to support its reform programme and thus accentuating efforts to get Aid For Trade operationalisation.
Minister Bunwaree emphasized that the PTA Bank has an increasingly big contribution in helping Mauritius' ambition of regional integration and recalled that the PTA Bank has witnessed an annual growth of more than twenty percent in the last three years. Mauritius, he said, would thus need higher borrowing capacity to meet the requirements of its next Corporate Plan.
The PTA Bank is actually the second largest development financial institution in Africa after the African Development Bank in terms of sovereign membership, stressing that the PTA Bank has a major impact on the economies of the Member States. Though it has, so far, not financed projects in Mauritius, the PTA Bank has however financed a number of companies that are registered in Mauritius, concluded Minister Bunwaree.
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Agriculture and Fisheries GIS - June 26: In the wake of the daunting challenges confronting the sugar industry, the budget underlines the need for transforming it into a sugar cane industry producing higher value-added sugar, energy, ethanol and other by-products. The objective is to create the conditions that generate a win-win situation for all stakeholders in the sector and for the country as a whole.
The following measures are highlighted:
• Government will offer support to small planters and workers through two channels so as to increase their direct ownership in a restructured and globally competitive sugar cane sector;
• The first channel is the provision of a loan to planters and workers that would be refunded from future dividend;
• The second channel is the provision of a one off grant to small planters and employees to allow them to invest in all the activities of the sugar cane sector. To this end, an item is created in the budget with a project value of Rs 300 million and an initial allocation of Rs 50 million in 2007/2008.
Fisheries
The objective is to accelerate the development of Mauritius into a seafood hub, as well as to integrate fishermen into the mainstream, help them to participate in deep sea fishing and allow them to increase their income.
Main measures:
• Construction of a fish auction market at Trou Fanfaron at a cost of Rs 25 million;
• Provision of funds for the accreditation of laboratories performing tests for export consignment;
• Rs 15 million as a one-off contribution to the subscription of shares in the Fishermen Investment Trust (FIT) by registered fishermen of Mauritius and Rodrigues. The FIT has been set up with the objects to invest directly or through a body controlled by it, in fishing and fish processing activities, fish marketing and such other activities related to the fishing industry and in the interest of fishermen;
• Rs 15 million for the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy.
Towards a Win-Win Situation for Stakeholders of the Sugar Sector
GIS - June 26: During his address at the annual meeting of the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture yesterday, the Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr. A. Boolell, said that he is confident that a consensus will soon be reached to bring about a win-win situation for all stakeholders on issues pertaining to the sugar sector.
Dr. Boolell expressed the wish of the government to see the sugar sector overcome its difficulty and undergo the reform process smoothly and in the best conditions. He recalled that, to this effect the Sugar Industry Efficiency Act was amended in February so as to enable the implementation of social measures as outlined in the Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy (MAAS). He also laid emphasis on the importance that workers opting for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme should be trained and re-skilled.
The Minister dwelled on issues pertaining to the de-rocking and regrouping projects, the energy policy and the non-sugar sector. The closure of the three factories, namely Mon Loisir, Riche-en-Eau and Mon Trésor was also raised.
Furthermore, Dr. Boolell underlined the need for Mauritius to move as early as possible to large-scale production of white sugar and special types of sugar in a bid to ensure the survival of the sugar industry. He made an appeal to all stakeholders for their collaboration and cooperation to enable the country to 'reach a common destination'.
W orkshop on Global Environment Facility GIS - June 25: The Minister of Environment and National Development Unit, Mr. Anil Bachoo, has urged the three international implementing agencies for the Global Environment Facility, namely the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank, to pay more attention to Small Island Developing States, and particularly Mauritius, in their business plans to ensure equitable sharing of scanty resources available.
This plea was made at the opening of the Country Dialogue Initiative Workshop on Global Environment Facility which opened today at the Sugar Beach Hotel, Flic en Flac.
In his speech, the Minister said that owing to shortage of funds and capacity limitations, partial progress has been noted in the implementation of the various recommendations and measures as outlined in the several strategic national reports.
He pointed out that the holding of the workshop is opportune as it will help in bridging some of the fundamental gaps and in unlocking the doors of the GEF which, he said, will enable Mauritius to gain its partnership in its endeavour to protect and conserve its national and global environmental assets and generate global environment benefits.
The two-day workshop aims at providing an effective opportunity for Mauritius to analyse and discuss its performance and future national strategy to not only access more GEF funds but also to effectively utilize allocation under GEF 4 (2006-2010). The purpose of this GEF National Dialogue Initiative workshop is to provide a forum for multi-stakeholder country level consultations.
Budget 2007 - 2008 Highlights: Tax Measures GIS - June 25: The reform of the personal and corporate income tax system, initiated with the 2006/07 budget and which was to spread up to July 2009, is being completed during the next financial year itself:
• A flat rate of 15% to apply henceforth for corporate as well as individual taxpayers. (Out of a total of 72,000 taxpayers on PAYE, 36,000 have been taken out of the tax net during this financial exercise);
• Introduction of the Advanced Payment System so as to bring tax payments flow of a company closer to its profit flow. Under the new system, companies will be required to effect quarterly provisional tax payment on basis of the chargeable income of the preceding tax return;
• Introduction of the Tax Arrears Payment Incentive Scheme and the Voluntary Disclosure Incentive Scheme. The respective objectives are to mop up outstanding tax arrears and claims under litigation and encourage disclosure of undeclared and under declared income/turnover;
• Amendments to the Finance Bill so as to exempt sugar cane and tobacco growers from submission of the quarterly CPS return.
Other taxes:
• Amendments to be brought to the National Residential Property Tax. First, NRPT will not apply on unbuilt or bare land. Second it will apply for taxpayers with a total income exceeding Rs 385 000. Third, the tax will be capped at 5% of total income inclusive of exempt income;
• Registration duty on lease of immovable property reduced to 1.25% of the rental value for the first 10 years;
• Transfer or lease of movable property to be subject to a fixed registration duty ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 200,000, instead of proportionate duty of 4 or 5%.
Special Levy:
• Introduction of a special levy on banks which will be computed on the basis of turnover and accounting profits. This measure is expected to yield Rs 75 million in 2007-2008
National ICT Strategic Plan to be available in July GIS - June 22: The National ICT Strategic Plan (NICTSP) 2006-2010 is nearing completion and it will be available in July 2007.
Speaking at the inauguration of a workshop organised by the National Computer Board this morning at Ebène Cyber Tower, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Etienne Sinatambou, said that the NICTSP will pave the way for the development and enhancement of Information and Communication Technology in Mauritius over the next five years.
According to the Minister it has been necessary to ensure that the views and suggestions of all stakeholders are taken on board during the elaboration of the NICTSP to enable the development of an Information Society and a competitive ICT industry.
He recalled that the implementation of the NICTSP will be one of the components which will be taken into consideration for the allocation of funds from the European Union, the World Bank, and the Agence Française de Développement. He pointed out that the ICT, as a one of the pillars of the economy, is expected to sustain economic development.
The elaboration of the NICTSP comprises three stages - the Current State Assessment of the ICT Sector, the Development of the Strategy Framework and the Elaboration of the Action Plan.
The objective of the workshop is to review the findings and recommendations of the assessment stage and ensure, through discussions with stakeholders and professionals from both the public and private sector, that all aspects have been fully considered.
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Public Utilities Wastewater
GIS - June 22: A total of Rs 1.5 billion has been earmarked for wastewater. Of this amount, Rs 1 billion will go to the Plaines Wilhems Sewerage Stage 1 project, which involves the construction of trunk sewers and reticulation network to provide connection to wastewater system to 29 000 customers.
Other Investments
Improvement and refurbishment of existing wastewater system; Maintenance of treatment plants at St Martin and Grand Baie; Free house connections to existing systems; Baie du Tombeau Project for house connection and treatment plant; The environmental sewerage and sanitation project and infrastructure rehabilitation in CHA Estates.
Water
Rs 280 million have been allocated to improve water supply to the economic and household sector. Projects include extending water supply to Riche Terre, improving water supply to Pointe aux Sables, Petit Verger and Vallée Pitot and developing additional water resources in the East and South West regions.
Investments are also being made on water resource development and on the design studies for Bagatelle Dam.
Electricity
Over and above the investment made by the CEB, the government has earmarked Rs 201 million for the electricity sector. Projects include the supply of electricity to the Industrial Development at Riche Terre (Rs 145 million) and preliminary infrastructural work at La Tour Koenig Industrial Park (Rs 17 million).
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Lands and Housing & Social Security
Lands and Housing GIS - June 22: Rational land administration, efficient planning and development schemes as well as the provision of housing facilities for the most vulnerable groups of society constitute the core of budgetary measures regarding lands and housing
Salient Features:
• Rs 150 million to implement the Land Administration, Valuation and Information Management System;
• Rs 25 million for a computerised system to manage and safeguard title deeds and reduce the time taken for registration and transcription of property transfer;
• Rs 5 million to work out detailed planning schemes for at least one area in each district to facilitate investors in identifying suitable land;
• Special scheme in the Empowerment Programme will be created to provide sites for serviced plots by leasing 241 plots in all at Glen Park, Ville Noire and Souillac for a nominal fee of Rs 3,000 per year;
• The grant for casting of roof slabs is being increased from Rs 55 000 to Rs 60 000.
Owing to the growing scarcity of land and in view of more income from FDI, restrictions will be removed on high rise buildings in pre-designated zones in inland areas while preserving the coastal landscape. Social Security The Government will broaden its actions to more effectively reach the neediest and to this effect, new schemes will be initiated.
An additional sum of Rs 25 million has been earmarked to finance programmes that will benefit almost 16 000 needy people. These programmes comprise:
• a special monthly education grant of Rs 1 180 to orphans;
• a one off payment of Rs 400 at the start of the school year to all children in families receiving social aid to meet school related expenses;
• a new grant of Rs 300 per month to severely disabled children and to all bedridden children who are from families receiving social aid; and
• a programme to provide respite to parents of severely handicapped or sick children who require 24 hour surveillance.
Other social measures include:
• An increase of 30% of the budget of the Trust Fund for Social Integration of Vulnerable Group which now stands at Rs 100 million;
• An increase of 8.7% of the Basic Retirement Pension and other social aid for those in the low income bracket;
• The equalisation of medical care and monthly pension to wartime and peacetime ex-servicemen. This measure will be extended to widows of wartime and peacetime ex-servicemen;
• Maintaining the Primary School Supplementary Feeding Project at a cost of Rs 31 million;
• Setting up of a residential drop-in centre at GRNW for the rehabilitation of some 20 children and their reinsertion in the mainstream society;
• A Rs 5 million allocation to provide electricity, namely for squatters and A Rs 3 million grant to cater for hardship cases for the displacement of CEB existing networks of bare conductors to avoid risk of electrocution; and
• Construction of a new Centre for the elderly at Belle Mare.
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Youth, Arts & Culture
Getting Our Youth Prepared GIS - June 20: Unemployment among the youth, especially those with low education and skill levels, is a major challenge. To address this issue, the government is providing the institutional framework as well as financial resources to support training and re-skilling and placement programmes.
The Empowerment Programme and the Human Resources Development Council will play a key role in this capacity-building endeavour meant at improving employability and promoting entrepreneurship among the youth.
An information campaign will be launched to motivate and reach out to young people.
Potential school drop-outs who would be more inclined towards non-academic training will be given the opportunity, through short term placements, for exposure to the world of work during school vacations.
A special scheme is being set up whereby 5,000 SC and HSC holders will receive training in ICT/BPO and Call Centre operations.
Arts and Culture
The policy of the Government is to promote arts and culture in all forms and expressions as well as encourage the emergence of a creative arts industry.
As a step in that direction, duty is being removed on a number of musical equipment while the entertainment tax of 10% on the admission fee for performing arts conducted in public entertainment places is abolished.
Moreover, the Non-citizens (Employment Restriction) Regulations 1973 will be amended so that international artists can be granted a business visa instead of their having to apply for work permits.
National Heritage: A ten year programme with a project value of Rs 750 million will help maintain and rehabilitate listed National Heritage and Cultural heritage sites. An amount of Rs 75 million has been earmarked for financial year 2007/08 while matching grants have been made for the Plaza (Rs 50 million) and for St. Louis Cathedral (Rs 7 million).
The programme will encourage private donations and public-private partnerships.
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Education and Health
Education
GIS - June 20: The budget for education totalling Rs 7.4 billion is in line with the Government vision to transform Mauritius into a knowledge-based economy. Provision is made to address the problem of high school drop out rates, enhance access to tertiary education and to construct a new school.
Measures:
• Encouraging international institutions of learning to set up campuses in Mauritius so as to attract foreign students and to provide greater opportunities for Mauritians to have access to tertiary education;
• Consolidating the Zone d'Education Prioritaire Schools, increasing support to low performing schools and addressing the problems of high school drop out rates;
• Extension of State Secondary Schools and construction of a new secondary school in Quatre Bornes. An amount of Rs 535 million has been earmarked;
• Recruitment of some 150 Education Officers to cope with the additional intake of students.
Health The emphasis is on the improvement of health care services. Upgrading infrastructure and services and the purchase of hi-tech equipment are among the areas that are the object of special attention, together with HIV/AIDS, NCDs and specialised medical care
Major projects:
• Upgrading of Rose Belle, Port Louis, Candos, Flacq and Pamplemousses hospitals (Rs 171 million);
• Purchase of hi-tech equipment for hospitals( Rs 50 million), Grant to the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care( Rs 171 million);
• Providing our hospitals with the ability to carry out tests to support an aggressive campaign on Non-communicable Diseases (Rs 90 million);
• Improving Renal Dialysis Services (Rs 93million);
• Pre-registration training scheme (Rs 44.3 million);
• A new HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Programme (Rs 10 million).
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Infrastructure Development GIS - June 19: The budget earmarked for public infrastructure goes up from Rs 6.1 billion in 2006/07 to Rs 7.5 billion, an increase of over 20%.
Expanding road infrastructure, demand management and road safety are the three axes on which Government will act to address the problem of land transport and traffic congestion. Some Rs 3 billion will be channelled in road development in the next few years.
The 2007/08 budget provides for Rs 752 million for 13 road projects that will expand as well as improve the road network and allow for a more fluid movement of traffic. The projects include:
• The South Eastern Highway;
• Access roads at Réduit Triangle and at Riche Terre;
• Terre Rouge - Verdun - Trianon Link Road;
• Bus lane along M1 motorway;
• Signalisation of Caudan Roundabout;
• Resurfacing of Motorway M1 and M2 and road maintenance.
A new bridge will be constructed at Macondé, to the tune of Rs 107 million.
Port and Airport
The Port will look for strategic partnership so that the necessary investment can be made and so that it may benefit from the transfer of technology and know-how in port development and management.
Works will be carried out at the airport for the modernisation and expansion at the Passenger Terminal. The value of the project is estimated at Rs 4 billion. Works are expected to start by the end of 2007 and be completed by end 2009.
Budget 2007-2008 Highlights: Business Facilitation and SMEs
GIS - June 19: The focus is on consolidating the process of opening the economy and facilitating business, and accelerating the transition to global competitiveness.
New measures:
• The setting up of a system developed by UNCTAD that will provide investors with all the investment rules, regulations and administrative procedures in Mauritius;
• Business Facilitation measures will be reinforced;
• A mechanism will be set up by SEHDA and BOI for businesses to report difficulties;
• Building and Land Use permit validity is being extended from 6 months to 24 months;
• A sum of Rs 40 million has been earmarked for Enterprise Mauritius to support brand development, innovation, capacity building and product and quality improvement;
• Foreigners working in Mauritius for at least 3 years and with a minimum basic salary of Rs 150 000 will be eligible for Permanent Resident Permit and will be allowed to purchase property;
• The maximum number of days allowed for a business visa is being increased from 90 to 180 days;
• A Short Term Residence Permit of up to 9 months, renewable once for a maximum of period of three months, will be granted to foreigners who have to work in Mauritius for less than a year.
The Budget lays special emphasis on the SME sector, viewed as 'an effective vehicle for job creation, for broadening the circle of opportunities, for poverty reduction and for improving the economic, financial and social status of the unemployed and the working poor'.
Measures introduced to boost and support the sector:
• The maximum loan on the Booster loan has been raised to Rs 75 000;
• The Quasi Equity Scheme has been increased to Rs 400 000;
• Registration charges on DBM loans up to Rs 75 000 have been fixed to Rs 550. Businesses will be able to register by connecting to the central database of the Registrar of Businesses from the 9 local authorities and the 35 Citizen Advice Bureaus;
• A SME partnership has been set up to advise SMEs on their business plan;
• The setting up of University-SME Partnership Programme is proposed.
Minister Sithanen Presents the 2007-2008 Budget
GIS - June 18: 'Creating the conditions for robust, sustained and inclusive growth whilst laying the foundations for reaching full employment in the medium term': This is the driving force of the 2007/08 Budget presented at the National Assembly on June 15 by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Rama Sithanen.
The new budget focuses on consolidating the transition of the economy to global competitiveness so as to achieve full employment, to improve the standards of living of the whole nation and to put the country back on the road to prosperity.
Economic growth will be around 5.5% in 2007-2008. Tourism, financial services, and construction will constitute major poles of growth, along with emerging sectors like the seafood hub, ICT and real estate development.
The overall deficit for 2007-2008 will be around Rs 9.6 billion, equivalent to 3.8 % of GDP. Total recurrent revenue will be around Rs 47.6 billion whereas total expenditure is estimated at Rs 60.1 billion.
Government will pursue its policy of opening up the economy and facilitating business, whilst promoting new ideas. The concept of Mauritius as a Knowledge Hub is being consolidated. Restoring order in public finances will be another top priority together with the reform of the sugar sector.
Massive investments will go towards upgrading public infrastructure. Major projects include access roads at Réduit Triangle and at Riche Terre, the Terre Rouge - Verdun Link road, the Bus Lane Road and the modernization of the port and the expansion of the Passenger Terminal at SSR International Airport.
The economy will open up more to foreign capital and expertise, with new schemes for foreign professionals operating in Mauritius and for businessmen visiting the country. Besides, in a bid to consolidate the SME sector as the vehicle of long term employment and for poverty reduction, the budget comprises several measures geared towards promoting business entrepreneurship.
Corporate tax has been reduced to a flat rate of 15%. This flat rate will also apply for personal income tax. The budget makes provision for two schemes which aim at facilitating settlement of tax disputes and for voluntary disclosure of under declared or undeclared income.
Government will also focus on training, more specifically for the youth and for women, so that they may more easily integrate the labour market. Special training schemes will be available for women to allow them to operate in the construction sector and other traditionally 'male' sectors.
Another important measure is a levy on banks on the basis of turnover and accounting profits.
As regards the National Residential Property Tax, no tax will be levied on unbuilt or bare land. It will apply for taxpayers with a total income exceeding Rs 385 000.
A National Solidarity Fund will be set up to help those families who have been left destitute after losing their residence through the sale by levy process.
Cooperation Agreements in Education and Training with French Authorities GIS - June 15: Two cooperation agreements in the fields of education and training were signed on June 14 between Mauritius and the French authorities. The signature ceremony took place at IVTB House in the presence of the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Mr Dharam Gokhool, and the Ambassador of France in Mauritius, Mr Dominique Renaux.
The two agreements “Convention de Partenariat” between the Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB) and l'Académie de La Réunion and the “Convention cadre” between the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) and l'Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres de la Réunion (IUFM) will cater for training needs of teachers, trainers and students.
Both the IVTB and l'Académie de La Réunion will develop an educative collaboration relating to professional and technological training in such areas as textile, communication and marketing, construction, agriculture and mechanics. The agreements also make provision, amongst others, for exchange programmes for students, the organisation of workshops, research in education, training of teachers at pre-primary, primary and secondary levels, exchange of information and documentaries.
In his address, Minister Gokhool underlined the importance of the two agreements which he said will help to consolidate the main objective of his ministry which is to enhance quality education and training and develop a trained and competent workforce.
Mr Dominique Renaux, for his part, pointed out that education has become a sphere of excellence and he expressed satisfaction over the thriving cooperation in the education sector between Mauritius and the French authorities.
Danish Ambassador calls on Minister Dulloo
GIS - June 15: Denmark will consider helping Mauritius in capacity building in ICT, renewable energy, seafood and shipping sectors and also facilitate the transfer of know-how and technology.
This possibility was raised on June 13 during a courtesy call by the Ambassador of Denmark, Mr. Bjarne Henneberg Sørensen, on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr. Madan Dulloo. Mr. Sørensen who is based in Dar-es-Salaam is the first Danish Ambassador to be accredited to Mauritius.
Various avenues of cooperation in the key sectors of the economy were at the centre of discussions between the Minister and the Ambassador, namely marine resources, food processing and agro-industry amongst others.
Minister Dulloo underscored the need for ensuring that the benefits of the Sugar Protocol of resource-scarce small countries like Mauritius are safeguarded during the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations. He pointed out that Aid for Trade is necessary to enable Mauritius to address effectively the supply side and capacity constraints.
Ambassador Sørensen also stated that Denmark is looking forward to an early conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda.
N ew Chief Justice Appointed GIS - June 14: The President of the Republic has, in accordance with the powers vested in him by section 77(1) of the Constitution, and following consultation with the Prime Minister, appointed Mr. Justice Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen to the Office of Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice took the Oath on June 13 before the President of the Republic at the State House. Justice Sik Yuen who is 60 years old succeeds Justice Ariranga Pillay who has retired from service.
Justice Sik Yuen studied law at Leeds University, England and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, London in 1970.
He started his career as State Counsel at the Attorney-General's Office and became Magistrate in 1976. From 1984 to 1989, he served as Master & Registrar and Judge in Bankruptcy. In 1989, he was appointed Supreme Court Judge and in 1995 he became Senior Puisne Judge.
World Blood Donor Day 2007 Celebrated
GIS - June 14: The objective of the Government is to bring the Blood Transfusion Service at par with the best centres in the world. In this respect, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working on a Quality Management System with the aim of seeking accreditation for the Blood Transfusion Service.
The Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Mr. Satish Faugoo, made the above statement this morning at a function organised to mark the World Blood Donor Day 2007.
The theme for this year, Safe Blood for Safe Motherhood, has been chosen to highlight the life-saving role of safe blood transfusion in maternal and prenatal care. On this score, a new WHO initiative will be introduced to improve the timely availability of safe blood in the provision of emergency obstetric care, particularly in countries with high maternal mortality, and on measures to reduce unnecessary transfusions.
Minister Faugoo outlined the various services available in the health care system in Mauritius which range from prenatal to postnatal care and breast feeding. He also pointed out that maternal mortality ratio for Mauritius has constantly been on the decline. Statistics shows that maternal mortality ratio for the year 2006 stood at 18 per 100,000 live births, which is the lowest figure in Africa.
Citing WHO statistics, the Minister recalled that the shortage of safe blood is one of the main reasons of maternal mortality. He stated that access to safe blood transfusion can help to prevent the death and improve the health of many millions of women and their newborns, adding that access to safe blood is considered as a vital component of global efforts to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals.
Inland aquaculture farm launched to boost seafood industry
GIS - June 14: The development of the seafood industry and aquaculture forms part of the strategy of the government to spearhead economic growth, stated the minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, yesterday at the official launching of Val Farms Ltd, an inland aquaculture farm at Bambous.
Minister Boolell said that the Fisheries department has already identified 20 potential sites for aquaculture and that some ten investors, both local and foreign, have expressed interests to start industrial fish farming in Mauritius with an estimated investment of Rs 750 million.
The minister gave assurance that the fisherman community will be taken on board of these projects through the Fishermen Investment Trust. He further said that the success of Val farms Ltd should be replicated by others as forecasts indicate that by 2015 around 40% of our fish consumption will emanate from aquaculture.
Fish farming has a potential of annual production of 29,000 tons in the medium term and 39,000 tons in the long term. It is expected that this sector could generate about 5,000 employment and a turnover of 20 to 30 million euros per annum.
Le Val Farms Ltd has made judicious use of the facilities of the La Ferme Experimental Fish Farm which has been leased by the ministry of Agro Industry and Fisheries since October 2006. Currently the fish species barramundi and berri rouge are under culture on this farm.
Minister Bunwaree attends the 96th International Labour Conference
GIS - June 13: The Government of Mauritius strongly believes in social dialogue, a process through which industrial tensions arising in the context of economic transition and adjustment are diffused.
This statement was made on June 11 by the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Dr Vasant Bunwaree, at the 96th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
In his address, the Minister recalled that Mauritius is engaged in extensive consultations with all the stakeholders for the setting up of a National Tripartite Forum, which he said will reinforce social dialogue on labour, employment and related issues. He also pointed that Mauritius is actively pursuing a national policy for the promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation.
“Respect of the fundamental rights of the individual and protection against discrimination are enshrined in our Constitution. Our national laws include a Sex Discrimination Act. An Equal Opportunities Bill is currently being finalized”, Dr Bunwaree said.
The Minister announced that the review of labour laws in Mauritius is near finalization. He also made mention of the introduction of new flexi-curity measures whereby Government will take on charge, for a given period of time, all laid-off workers. These workers will be placed in new jobs or trained for greater employability or assisted to become small entrepreneurs themselves.
According to Minister Bunwaree, the National Pay Council allows for structured discussions in the spirit of tripartism and which will ensure that the level of compensation reflects not only the rise in cost of living but also other economic conditions. He further stated that for this exercise, the Government was inspired by the recommendations of a Technical Memorandum entitled Pay Determination in Mauritius: Options for Reform which was the outcome of a United Nations Development Programme and International Labour Organisation project in 1998.
Tourist arrivals for the first five months reach 379,529
GIS - June 12: Tourist arrivals in Mauritius for the first five months of 2007 reached 379,529 as compared to 317,382 in the same period in 2006, the last statistical bulletin indicates. This represents an increase of 19.6 %.
According to statistics, 65,301 tourists visited Mauritius in the month of May 2007 representing an increase of 28.6 % over the same month in 2006.
With 62,147 additional tourists visiting Mauritius in the first five months of 2007, it is expected that at least 100,000 additional tourists will be visiting Mauritius before December 2007.
This performance is attributed to the air access liberalization policy and to the excellent image of Mauritius, supported by visibility campaigns carried out by all the tourism industry players.
As regards Rodrigues, statistics show an average increase of 15.7% in tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2007. In April 2007, Rodrigues recorded a remarkable performance in tourist arrivals with an increase of 23.9% in relation to the corresponding period of 2006.
Sub Regional Workshop on Green Customs Initiative GIS - June 11:Mauritiuswill host from 18 to 20 July 2007 the Sub-Regional Green Customs Initiative Workshop.
The Green Customs concept, developed in 2001 by the United Nations Environment Programme, brings on one platform several trade-related environmental conventions for integrated training to customs and other officers dealing with international trade control with a view to combating illegal trade.
The Workshop, the first of its kind organised for theIndian Oceanisland countries, has as main objective to create awareness among customs officers on their role in enforcing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and to encourage the creation of links at the national level between key MEA enforcement stakeholders.
Other objectives of the workshop relate to fostering bilateral, as well as regional dialogues on trade-related issues and to presenting available resources to customs administration on MEA enforcement issues, particularly among international organisations involved in these issues.
President launches the African Peer Review Mechanism GIS - June 06: Good corporate governance should be of concern to all citizens, the President of the Republic, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, said today at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre at the launching of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). In his address, the President recalled that Mauritius has been one of the earliest volunteers to implement the APRM, which he said, aims to review, analyse and evaluate the performance of Mauritius in critical areas of governance, and economic and social development and to offer remedies for its shortcomings. The exercise will focus on four areas of governance namely:
Democracy and Good Political Governance;
Economic Governance and Management;
Corporate Governance; and
Socio-economic Development.
It will ultimately culminate in the production of a Country Report also known as a Self Assessment Report.
According to Sir Anerood, the APRM will be an ideal opportunity to locate and rectify the imperfections that still persist in both the public and private sectors. The APRM will reveal the true Mauritius to its citizens, the President added. “Once the final report is out we shall know how we rate ourselves as a secular democracy, to what extent we can be proud or critical of our Republic and what action plan we need to adopt to rank among the genuine role models of the world”, he pointed out.
MOU with the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa GIS - June 04: The Attorney General's Office has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.
The MOU will pave the way towards a more structured and constructive collaboration in the training of professional staff through exchange programmes and in conducting joint researches and studies or projects.
It also makes provision for exchange of information, laws and legal publications about issues relating to the work of the parties in order to enhance a common understanding of the relevant issues.
Other features of the MOU relate to sharing of information on best practices, systems, processes, techniques, structures and strategies to enhance both parties to combat crime, in particular transnational organised crime.
On multilateral level, both countries expressed the wish of working closely within the African Union, the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.
Health Minister announces National Action Plan on Tobacco Control GIS - May 31: A one-day validation workshop on the draft National Action Plan on Tobacco Control prepared by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life was launched this morning at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Bell Village on the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day 2007.
In his speech at the opening of the workshop, the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Mr. Satish Faugoo, announced that the Government is presently finalizing amendments to the existing Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations with a view to strengthening control and increasing the number of public places where smoking will not be permitted.
“These amendments will provide for stricter control on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, sale of cigarettes to minors, packaging and labelling and illicit trade of tobacco products. One of the most important regulatory measures on tobacco control that will be taken soon by my Ministry is the printing of rotating health warnings and pictures on tobacco packets.” he said.
According to the Minister, the National Action Plan on Tobacco Control translates into action the determination of his Ministry to harness the problem of tobacco use in an effective and concerted manner.
Mr. Faugoo highlighted that Mauritius has pledged its international solidarity and commitment by ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which is an international agreement that provides blueprint for coordinated global action to address the tobacco problem and contain the epidemic.
The National Action Plan on Tobacco Control embodies the spirit of the FCTC and uses it as an essential tool to circumscribe the use of tobacco and its devastating effects in the Mauritian population. “It is the first attempt of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to address the problem of tobacco consumption in a comprehensive and concerted manner. It aims at reducing tobacco-related deaths and diseases by using a three-pronged strategy consisting of preventing tobacco use, reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and promoting cessation.” the Minister explained.
T owards Stronger Ties between Mauritius and Ghana GIS - May 31:The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr Madan Dulloo, expressed the wish of further strengthening relations between Mauritius and Ghana through the early conclusion of a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
This possibility was raised yesterday during a courtesy call by Dr. Jimmy Ben Heymann, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana with residence in Pretoria, South Africa on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent cooperation ties prevailing between Mauritius and Ghana. In the course of the meeting, the possibility of deepening political, economic, scientific, cultural and technical collaboration through the conclusion of a General Cooperation Agreement was also raised.
Furthermore, with a view to enhancing cooperation between the countries, discussions were held in the following areas namely, textile, agriculture and tourism.
On multilateral level, both countries expressed the wish of working closely within the African Union, the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.
875 000 Tourists Expected in Mauritius in 2007 GIS - May 30: According to information gathered from the main stakeholders of the tourism sector coupled with the favourable performances registered in the 1st Quarter of 2007, the number of tourist arrivals for the year 2007 is now expected to grow by 11% to reach 875,000, compared to 788,276 in 2006.
Tourism receipts for the year 2007 will be around Rs 36,430 million compared to Rs 31,942 million last year.
Figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that a total of 243,931 tourists visited Mauritius during the first quarter of 2007 compared to 209,248 for the corresponding period of 2006, representing an increase of 16.6%.
Arrivals from Europe went up by 18% to reach 171,556 with a 14.3 % rise in arrivals from France. Other markets have registered growth as follows: Germany (+20.7%), Italy (+10.6%), United Kingdom (+10.3%), Sweden (+188.7%), South Africa (+21.5%), India (+12.4%), Spain (+30.8%), Netherlands (+29.2%), Austria (+27.2%), Switzerland (+12.2%) and Belgium (+9.4%).
During the 1st quarter of 2007, arrivals from Africa rose by 14.7% to reach 52,931. Arrivals from Reunion Island rose by 8.3% while those from Republic of South Africa rose by 21.5%. As regards tourist arrivals from Asia, an increase of 10.9% is noted to reach 13,349.
ISO Delegates Discuss the Challenges of World Sugar Industry
GIS - May 29: Mauritius is hosting the 31st Session of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) centred on the theme Sugarcane - an Engine for Sustainable Development. This three-day Conference is being held at Grand Bay International Conference Centre.
In his opening address this morning, the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, highlighted the historic role of sugarcane in maintaining the stability and economic growth of Mauritius. He also called upon the stakeholders of the sugar industry to work hard and find acceptable solutions to the current challenges facing this industry.
“The Mauritius sugar sector is in the midst of a major change to adapt to the EU sugar reform and to position its competitiveness to assure its long term sustainability in this global liberalized market environment” Sir Anerood said, adding that events unfolding in the world leave no space for complacency.
The Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, recalled that in that context Mauritius, along with many other ACP developing countries, is currently implementing Multi Annual Adaptation Strategies to sustain their sugar industries in the light of the EU reforms.
The objective sought by Sugar Protocol countries is to make the sugar sector more competitive to withstand international competition, Dr Boolell added.
The ISO, based in London and regrouping 81 Member States, is the unique intergovernmental body dedicated to improving conditions on the world sugar market.
Mauritius and China Deepen Cooperation Ties GIS - May 28: The signature of three agreements of cooperation between Mauritius and the People's Republic of China on May 25 marks a new era in bilateral relations between the two countries. A 16-member delegation from the City of Qingdao of the People's Republic of China, led by the Mayor, Mr. Xia Geng, was in Mauritius in this context.
Agreements were signed between the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; between the Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) and the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; and between the Grand Port/ Savanne District Council and the City of Qingdao.
The agreement with the MCCI will help enhance trade and economic exchanges and promote cooperation in technology and also exchange of information on economic and trade policies, rules and regulations and investments and market trends between Qingdao and Mauritius. The agreement with the Institute of Oceanology will provide opportunities for Mauritian and Chinese scientists to work together in research and development of new technologies in areas of common interest, such as identification of marine creatures and plants from which pharmaceutical products can be extracted.
The other agreement relates to the twinning of Grand Port District Council with the City of Qingdao. The objective is to promote common prosperity and development through exchanges in the fields of science, technology, culture, education, sport and health.
In his address the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr. Madan Dulloo, said the signing of these three Agreements marks a new era of cooperation with China. He expressed confidence that China will assist Mauritius in its programme of economic restructuring and diversification.
The Minister recalled that during the past 35 years, Mauritius has steadfastly adhered to the One China policy and the People's Republic of China has multiplied its exchanges with the Republic of Mauritius. In fact, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius.
Mauritius reiterates commitment to the values of African Union GIS - May 25: The Government of Mauritius reiterates its commitment to the values of the African Union, in particular, good governance, respect for human rights and democracy.
In a message conveyed to the people of Mauritius and of the African continent on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Mr Madan Dulloo, underlined the need for regional integration and the importance of forging genuine partnerships based on mutual trust.
“Political leadership is crucial to ensure that all segments of our societies participate and contribute to the development of Africa and transform the concept of African Renaissance into tangible reality”, he said.
According to Minister Dulloo, the traditions and dynamism of the African people remain the greatest assets for the Continent to face new challenges such as climate change, the digital divide and trade liberalisation.
Africa Day marks the anniversary of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity, now known as the African Union, forty-four years ago. The theme for this year's celebration is “Let's Strengthen Africa's Place in the World through Strategic, Balanced and Responsible Partnerships” with the idea that cooperation and partnership remain essential to the development of the Continent.
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