The last Cabinet meeting held on May 29 gave its assent for the introduction of the Supplementary Appropriation (2024- 2025) (No. 2) Bill into the National Assembly. The bill aims to provide for the supplementary appropriation, by votes of expenditure, both recurrent and capital, in respect of services of Government for the financial year 2024-2025, in excess of the expenditure appropriated by the Appropriation (2024-2025) Act 2024 and the Supplementary Appropriation (2024-2025) Act 2025.
The Cabinet also took into account the spearheading of the Island Container Terminal Project falling under Government-to-Government agreement between India and Mauritius. It follows the State Visit of Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam to India in September 2025, where the restructuring and development of the port was announced.
Assent was also given to the inking of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United States of America. The main objective aims to establish basic terms, conditions and procedures to facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services to further the interoperability, readiness and effectiveness of the military forces of the United States and the Mauritius Police Force.
A Joint Declaration signing has also been agreed upon on the culmination of negotiations on the Deepened Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Eastern and Southern African States, namely Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, introducing 15 new chapters.
Key features and benefits encompass more flexible Rules of Origin for products of export interest to Mauritius, enhanced opportunities in services and strengthened trade facilitation and regulatory cooperation, technical and financial assistance, as well as improved protection of intellectual property rights, among others.
The Cabinet also took note of the recent participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in the SADC Ministerial Retreat held in South Africa. The retreat encompassed discussions on global geopolitical developments in the SADC regions, namely Financing Regional Integration; Investment, Public Debt Management and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation; Energy, Oil and Gas and Mineral Resources.
During the mission, the Minister delivered a statement on the global geopolitical developments in the region while advocating a coherent approach set to buttress resilience, protect economic interest and autonomy, while ensuring sustainable peace and security and avoiding perpetual conflict and geopolitical rivalry.
It was also noted that the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity has launched a bulk scanning project to modernise social security services. The project is designed to improve the processing of social benefits through a more efficient digital storage and retrieval system. Around 10.5 million files are expected to be scanned and integrated into the digital system over a period of 18 months.
