The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Mauritius, Honourable Cader Sayed Hossen paid a courtesy call on President James Michel this morning at State House. Mr. Hossen is in the country heading a strong Mauritian business delegation participating in the first Seychelles-Mauritius international trade fair and the Seychelles-Mauritius business forum.
The President said that he is satisfied that the forum is taking place and hopes that this will strengthen the commercial and economic relations between the two countries. To note, the official visit of the Minister and his delegation followed the joint-decision between both President Michel and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam during his state visit in Seychelles in June 2012 for paving the way for a sustainable development in commercial cooperation.
“I am very happy that the forum is taking place. It is the first time that we receive such strong Mauritian business delegations in Seychelles, I believe that it will be a way forward to develop further the cooperation between our two countries and I am sure that it will improve our trade and commerce, " said President Michel.
During the meeting they also discussed areas in which Seychelles and Mauritius can broaden and enhance their diplomatic ties, such as in a new economic framework, avenues for better maritime links to facilitate trade, air links, judiciary, education, health, finance, agriculture and livestock among others. They also highlighted the importance of having signed the landmark treaties for the Joint Exercise of Sovereign Rights and the Joint Management of the Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region.
Speaking to the press after his meeting with President Michel, Minister Hossen noted that this visit symbolises the friendship that exists between President Michel and Prime Minister Ramgoolam. He explained that there are around 100 Mauritians participating in the business forum and trade fair. He said that this is just the starting point of establishing contacts for the Mauritian business communities and local businesses as well as the different agencies here in order to start investing.
“I would like to thank his Excellency, President James Michel for receiving me today. I have also convey greetings and salutations to President Michel from our Prime Minister, Dr Ramgoolam. As Small Island Developing States (SIDS) we have limited natural resources, we are far from countries that help provide us with resources and other markets…today both islands have been able to deal with those constraints, thanks to the determination of our two political leaders. I believe that we have a good future and by reinforcing our cooperation we will have a brighter one,” said Minister Hossen.
Editor’s note:
The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Mr. Pierre Laporte, the Secretary General of the Executive Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne, the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay, the Ambassador of Mauritius to Seychelles, Mrs Marie-France Roussety and Permanent Secretary to the Mauritian Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mrs Asha Burrenchobay.