Highlights Of Cabinet Meeting – Friday 03 March 2023

The Cabinet met today under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. The highlights of the deliberations are as follows:

1. Cabinet has taken note of the promulgation of the Consumer Protection (Control of Price of Taxable and Non-taxable Goods) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2023, with effect from 24 February 2023. These Regulations provide for the maximum retail price of bags of 25kg of mostly used types of cement grades 42.5N and 32.5N.
2. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection:
   • applying a regressive mark-up mechanism on eight out of eleven classes of pharmaceutical products, namely Biologicals, Anti-cancer, Anti-diabetic, Anti- hypertensive, cardiovascular, Inhaler, Vaccine and Anti-acid comprising more than 550 pharmaceutical products;
   • applying a 30 percent maximum mark-up for all remaining pharmaceutical products, including the most consumed brands/classes of medicines;
   • conducting another assessment in July 2023, to ensure that the impact on the retail prices of the pharmaceutical products have been adjusted to the market forces and further consider inclusion or exclusion of classes under the regressive mark-up mechanism; and
   • conveying instructions to the Attorney General’s Office for the drafting of the Regulations.
3. Cabinet has agreed that the reservation made on the Ratification of Article 6(b) of the Protocol on the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and relating to “the minimum age of marriage for women shall be 18 years”, be removed, following the promulgation of the Children’s Act.
4. Cabinet has taken note that, in line with the practice to provide financial support to countries affected by natural disasters, Government has contributed USD50,000 for the victims of the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. The contribution would be made through the United Nations as a humanitarian aid to the afflicted citizens.

Cabinet has also taken note that as at 02 March 2023, a sum of Rs6,479,556 has been collected through the Teledon organised by Government. The sum collected was through banks and urns placed around the island and donations received through SMS.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the renaming of the Anjalay Stadium at Belle Vue Harel into that of “Anjalay Coopen Stadium” to pay respect to the martyred lady.
6. Cabinet has taken note of the status regarding the implementation of the project for the construction of housing units by the New Social Living Development Ltd. A Fast Track Committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism would monitor the implementation of the project.
7. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting the SADC Oceanic States Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Regional Workshop on 09 and 10 March The workshop would be held in hybrid mode for Island States, namely Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius and would be attended by some 30 participants.

The objectives of the workshop are, inter alia, to:

• identify existing sectoral governance challenges and barriers that hinder the progression of WEF Nexus investments in the Oceanic region;
• identify climate finance opportunities that are available for the Island States;
• discuss and seek stakeholder guidance for the development of a Global Environment Facility Preconcept note; and
• enhance Oceanic States cooperation in the development and implementation of prioritised WEF Nexus project.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the conduct of the Cutlass Express Exercise (CEE) from 06 to 17 March 2023, in Mauritius. The CEE is a United States Naval Forces-led joint multinational exercise conducted in East African Coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean to assess and improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security and increase interoperability between the United States, African Nations and International partners.

The purpose of the exercise is to improve regional cooperation in support of the Djibouti Code of Conduct, maritime domain awareness, information sharing between maritime operation centres, maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of law, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities in order to disrupt illicit maritime activity and strengthen safety and security in the region. Participants would be from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius.

9. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius would host the 66^th Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Commission for Africa from 26 to 28 July 2023.
10. Cabinet has taken note that the 27^th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) would be hosted by Mauritius from 08 to 12 May 2023. The Commission would be preceded by the Compliance Committee, the Standing Committee on Administration and Finance, the Heads of Delegations meeting, and the Technical Committee on Management procedures from 30 April to 07 May 2023.
11. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the National Day Celebrations 2023, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation would organise a relay entitled ‘Marche de l’Unité’ in six different regions of the island from 09 to 11 March 2023.

The objectives of the event would be to, inter alia:

• promote the sense of oneness among the fellow citizens;
• revive the sense of patriotism among young people; and
• strengthen the bond of national unity among them.

The relay would start at around 08 30 hrs on 09 and 10 March 2023 with groups of persons departing from secondary schools/institutions who would walk, jog or run over a distance of two kilometres, carrying and displaying the National Flag and pass on to another group. On 11 March 2023, the relay would start at 10 00 hrs to finally reach the Mauritius Sports Council Sports Complex, Rose Hill. All the participants would then proceed to the Plaza Complex, Rose Hill, where a cultural programme with local artists would be held.

12. Cabinet has taken note that on 02 March 2023, a Condor flight from Frankfurt to Mauritius had passed through air turbulence whilst flying in the Flight Information Region of Seychelles. Several passengers had been When the aircraft landed in Mauritius, 19 passengers were conveyed by SAMU to J. Nehru Hospital and received treatment on a fast track basis. The services of psychologists were put at the disposal of patients.
13. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms in the context of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023. The theme for this year is “A safe and healthy environment as a fundamental principle and right at work”. The activities which would enhance awareness on the importance of a safer and healthier working environment in the public service would include, inter alia:
    • a Safety and Health Week from 21 to 27 April 2023;
    • focused activities by key players in Safety and Health; and
    • a Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health on 28 April 2023.
14. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in As at 01 March 2023, there were 34 active cases of COVID-19, out of which nine were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. Over the period of 23 February to 01 March 2023, no death has been directly attributed to COVID-19.
15. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Managing Committee of the Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports, with Mr Kumar Cheetamun as part-time Chairperson.