President Michel returns from UAE-Emirates delegation to explore economic links |25 May 2005

President James A. Michel announced this Tuesday May 24 upon his arrival from a three-day working visit to the UAE which he made at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates.

President Michel also said there are plans for a new airline, Etihad Airways, to start flying to Seychelles towards the end of this year or early in 2006.

Etihad Airways is the Abu Dhabi Government's national airline and is the third national airline of the UAE, which comes after the Dubai government's Emirates Airlines, and Air Arabia of the Sharjah Government.

It currently flies to Beirut, Damascus and Amman but now plans to have destinations across the Middle East, India, the Far East, and UK.

Its fleet comprises six Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Describing his visit as very successful, President Michel said it has boosted the economic cooperation between the two countries even further, and that the UAE can help Seychelles to develop further.

He noted that the Arab nation already contributes significantly to local projects through the Abu Dhabi Fund, and that the two countries also have a cooperation through which Seychelles buys petroleum products from Abu Dhabi.

Noting that the country’s royal family visits Seychelles often, he said Abu Dhabi is willing to assist Seychelles in any social and economic ventures this country may propose.

President Michel noted that the Gulf region is among the wealthiest in the world making it important for Seychelles to develop its relations with the countries of that region even further.

Describing the region as an economic powerhouse, President Michel said those countries can help Seychelles to develop its resources, and allow it to create more employment opportunities.

He said he has a lot of confidence and hope in the opportunities the new opening is likely to bring to Seychelles, adding that more economic activities will be evident in due course.

He said Seychelles will continue to encourage investors from the region, adding that  plans are being finalised for a hotel project at Grand Police and also that the one at Petit Anse has started.

During his visit, President Michel was accompanied by the governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Mr Francis Chang-Leng, and the managing director of Nouvobanq, Mr Ahmad Saeed.

He was received back by Vice-President Joseph Belmont and top government officials.