Consuls focus on challenges to our economy
21.10.2009
Seychelles’ honorary consuls are focusing on the “challenges on the road towards our economic sustainability”, in a three-day conference that opened at Le Méridien Barbarons hotel yesterday.
Vice-President Joseph Belmont told them although they are not on the front line, as our interlocutors and collaborators they are next in line.
“This is why we count on you as our ambassadors at large to help us in this challenging task ahead,” he told them.
Mr Belmont also said this year’s meeting has been programmed so they can share in the talks on thematic issues arising from President James Michel’s dialogue with Seychellois.
“We want to build a strong Seychelles where each and every one of our consuls should play a pivotal role,” added Mr Belmont.
He thanked those who have worked tirelessly to defend Seychelles, saying we are indebted to them.
Mr Belmont said the meeting’s theme – Challenges on the road towards economic sustainability – aptly encompasses the current state of development.
He recalled that the energy and food crises of 2008 almost saw the world’s economy collapse, and Seychelles as a small island developing state needed to be proactive to survive the crisis.
“President James Michel initiated a major programme of economic reforms that have literally transformed the state of the economy within one year,” he said.
“This has brought about fiscal and monetary discipline, restored investor confidence, boosted the Seychelles currency and ensured the ready availability of goods and services for families, businesses and consumers.
“We have worked in close collaboration with our international partners such as the International Monetary Fund to ensure the success of these reforms, and our President has made it his personal responsibility to ensure Seychellois have been kept fully informed of the reform process as it unfolded.”
Mr Belmont told the consuls about the meetings the President organised in every district, where the concerns and suggestions made by the public were – and continue to be – taken on board so as to strengthen the reform process.
“This was an example of real democracy at work,” he said, adding that unity among Seychellois in the face of adversity, and their readiness to take on new responsibilities and challenges with determination and resilience have been the greatest strength of the reform process.
“Our economy is today increasingly market-driven, but we have introduced measures to curb exploitation, to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
Principal secretary for foreign affairs Joseph Nourrice, like Mr Belmont, talked about the challenges piracy has posed to the tourism and fisheries industries.
They both appreciated the cooperation Seychelles is getting from international partners in the fight against piracy.
Among those attending the opening session of the conference were National Assembly speaker Dr Patrick Herminie, chief justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende, cabinet ministers and members of the assembly, along with representatives of the tourism industry.
Also present were the former minister for foreign affairs Patrick Pillay and incoming principal secretary in the ministry Barry Faure.
There were presentations on the current performance of the economy by the principal secretary for finance Ahmed Afif and on tourism by the Seychelles Tourism Board’s director of marketing, Alain St Ange.