Wednesday, 22 August 2012 10:43 | News.lk
Sri Lanka and Seychelles will establish direct Air link between the two
countries immediately enabling increased trade and tourism between the two
island nations and neighboring countries. At the discussion held between the
visiting president of the Republic of Seychelles Alix Michel and
Basil Rohana Rajapaksa, Senior Adviser to H.E. President and Minister of
Economic Development, at the Hilton Hotel yesterday, it was decided to open up
a direct flight service between the two countries immediately.
Sri Lanka will extend a credit line to the Seychelles
to use in trade and commercial transaction with Sri Lanka. Seychelles can use
these credit facilities to buy commodities and services from Sri Lanka Minister
Basil Rajapaksa said at the discussion.
The two countries agreed to have a joint programme to
develop cottage industries and exchange experiences and know how and to start
with Sir Lanka will help Seychelles to develop cottage industries in relation
to coconut production.
President Michel and Economic Development Minister discussed the possibility of Sri Lanka investing in Seychelles hotel industry. The two countries will initiate a joint programme to develop tourist industries targeting high end tourists since both countries have promising opportunities in the tourist sector.
Seychelles has a well develop fishing industry and it
has industrial, semi industrial and primary ventures. Sri Lanka has entered
industrial ventures in fishing establishing a canned fish factories very
recently. The two countries will exchange these experiences to develop fishing
industry.
Another area extensive discussion was centered on was
maritime link programme between the two countries which will facilitate trade
and tourism between the two counties extending facilities to the neighbor
countries of the Seychelles such as Madagascar, Murushe.
Sri Lanka dockyard and ship building firms can venture
into this programme and benefit from it expanding their services to Seychelles.
delegation said.
President Michell said that the two countries
have many similarities and therefore we can share our experiences for the
economic development and well being of the people. Since Seychelles import most
of its requirement from other countries Sri Lanka has potential to increase
exports.
Minister Basil Rajapaksa said after the end of
conflict Sri Lanka was able to achieve good results in economic development
despite the global economic setback and the country gives priority to infrastructure
development. He also emphasised that Sri Lanka's strategic location in the
international maritime and aviation centre is beneficial to investors as well
as traders and Sri Lanka has become a fast developing regional hub in the South
Asia.
Jean Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles,
Peter Sinon, Minister of Natural Resources and Industry of Seychelles,
Waven William, High Commissioner of Seychelles to Sri Lanka, Prof. Sunada
Madduma Bandara, Director General of the Ministry of Economic
Development, Dr Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism
Development Authority, Ms. Saroja Sirisena, Director General of External
Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development, Khan, Director General of
Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Nihal Samarappuli,
Executive Director of the Board of Investment also participated at the
discussion.
