SBM LTD – HEAD OFFICE – STATE LAND
(No. B/213) Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked
the Minister of Housing & Lands whether, in regard to the State Bank of Mauritius, he
will state if the Head Office thereof is located on State land and, if so, indicate -
(a) the extent of land
(b) the terms and conditions of the lease
(c) the annual rental and
(d) if the rental value reflects the actual market value
Dr. Kasenally: Mr Speaker, Sir, in regard to part (a) of the question, the Head
Office of the State Bank of Mauritius is located over a portion of State land of an extent
of 2223m2 (that is, 53P).
In regard to part (b) of the question, the terms and conditions of the lease are,
inter alia, as follows -
(i) Type – industrial site lease
(ii) Purpose – the construction of a multi-storey headquarters building for the
State Commercial Bank Limited
(iii) Duration – 29 and a fraction years to expire on 30 June 2019
(iv) Renewal Clause – may be renewed at the expiry of the lease for two
consecutive periods of 15 years, subject to the rent being revised on each
renewal to reflect the market value.
In regard to part (c) of the question, at the time of lease, that is, in 1989, the
rental agreed upon was at a nominal value of Rs1,000 per annum.
As regards part (d) of the question, the Finance Act provides for the terms and
conditions of all industrial and commercial leases to be reviewed, including the annual
rental to reflect the market value. A specific provision has been made in the Act to
include the State land industrial leases in the City Centre. The State Bank of Mauritius
Ltd forms part of this category of leases.
Mr Guimbeau: Mr Speaker, Sir, can we have an idea when the rent is going to be
revised?
Dr. Kasenally: Following the Finance Act approved in June 2009, there has been
consultation with the State Law Office, and there were a lot of issues which had to be
sorted out. Finally, we sorted out the problem, and I am expecting that the matter will be
resolved probably in three or four months’ time. Perhaps the hon. Member would like to
know that the rental for the State land – because it will be prime land in the City Centre -
might be between Rs8 to Rs10 m. per annum.
Mr Guimbeau: We all know, Mr Speaker, Sir, that many big businesses are
leasing land in the capital for pitance. So, will this include all other industrial sites?
Dr. Kasenally: Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir. There are about 28, and I think that
Government stands to gain a fair amount of revenue accruing to that. Because there are
two on prime land in the City Centre and one is beyond. The city centre is a bit more
expensive. For example, I understand that Harel Mallac is paying about Rs500. This
also would be substantially increased.

Sitting 14th April 2009

(No. B/211)

Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe and Midlands) asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources whether, in regard to thentertainment sector, he will state if Government will consider introducing entertainment laws and, if so  (a)when;

(b)it is proposed to work out a salary scale structure for the sector.

Dr. Bunwaree: Mr.Speaker, Sir, I am aware of problems prevailing in the entertainment sector due to the absence of a legal framework. The quantum of pay toperforming artists in the entertainment sector is a matter of great concern to me. In fact, it has come to my knowledge that there exists some sort of exploitation of artists going on in that sector.

I wish to inform the House that my Ministry with the assistance of UNESCO and the Mauritius Research Council is presently conducting a study on the Cultural Industry in Mauritius. The study comprises inter alia the status of our Cultural Industry including the entertainment sector and recommendations for improvement. The findings will enable us to introduce appropriate measures for the development of the sector.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the final report of the study will be ready by June this year. The recommendations of the study will be validated after consultations with all stakeholders.

I cannot at this point in time pre-empt the recommendations but what I can say is that when an emerging economic sector grows and reaches a certain level, it becomes imperative to have a legal framework to regulate it. This legal framework may also include the question of remuneration of artists and which can only be in line with the new philosophy of the new labour legislations.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the hon. Minister tell the House whether he is in possession of any draft of the copyright law emanating from the stakeholders such as MASA, the Police and the Customs?

Dr. Bunwaree: Yes, we are working very actively on that.

Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Minister whether he will agree with me that there should be a contribution of the Ministry of Tourism because in many cases this is where the cultural industry thrives? As he rightly pointed out, there is a lot of exploitation. For example, many of those Sega dancers are getting up to Rs100 for the show, and there are even minors. Something can be done there. There is a lot of scope of what can be done in the cultural and tourism industry.

Dr. Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully agree and, as I said, we are going to consult all stakeholders.

Mrs Perrier: Is the hon. Minister aware that children are often used for entertainment, especially in the tourism sector? Will the hon. Minister cater for this aspect also in the new regulation?

Dr. Bunwaree: Certainly, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the hon. Minister give us an idea when all of these measures are going to be in force?

Dr. Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, I said that we have to wait for the report, which I expect to get at the end of the month of June, and then we will have a meeting with the stakeholders. The hon. Member can rely upon me to go as quickly as possible.