Seychelles and Hong-Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) have officially signed an air service agreement (ASA).

This event, which took place yesterday in Hong Kong, follows the conclusion of negotiations between the two countries on October 30, 2012 which led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding and initialing of the ASA text with the aim of easing air services operations launched by Air Seychelles on March 24, 2013 and other developments to come.

The ASA was signed by the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte (who is representing the Minister responsible for Transport) and the secretary of Transport and Housing in the government of HKSAR, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung.

Also present for the ceremony were Cramer Ball, chief executive of Air Seychelles; Gilbert Faure, chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority; Elsia Grandcourt, chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board; Rupert Simeon, chief executive of the Seychelles Investment Board; Seychelles’ resident ambassador in China Philippe Le Gall; and Alan Renaud, general manager of Corporate Affairs at Air Seychelles.

The signing of the legal framework ensures full commitment of both parties with regard to the comprehensive requirement for the safe, secure commercial operations on air services.

The arrangement will ensure the continuity and growth of air services operations by Air Seychelles with the aim of facilitating the development potential of tourism, trade as well as investment between the two countries.

Airlines of Hong-Kong, such as Cathay Pacific and Hong-Kong airlines, have the same privilege to operate services between the two countries.
The signing of this agreement coincides with Seychelles’ first investment forum in Hong-Kong.

Forrás: www.nation.sc