Seychelles attends first forum on China-Africa scientific and technological cooperation |07 December 2011

The country was represented by the principal secretary in the Department of Industry, Lucy Athanasius, and the director of Industry Policy Analysis and Export Promotion, Barry Assary.
 
The launch of this forum was an initiative of the FOCAC Summit held in Sharm El Sheik-Egypt in November 2009 which also recommended the creation of the China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Programme (CASTEP), by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, to further enhance cooperation and exchanges in science and technology (S&T) between China and Africa.

Both this forum and CASTEP aim to develop a new type of science and technology partnership between China and African countries, sharing China’s experiences and achievements and facilitating African countries in building up their own capacity in this field.

Seychelles’ Ambassador in China, Philippe Le Gall, who attended the opening, expressed his satisfaction at Seychelles’ participation at high level and described the forum as an interactive platform to be more familiar with the recent progress made by China in science and technology and interact with government officials, scientists, researchers and industry leaders on new avenues of win-win cooperation.

The forum was officially opened by Wang Zhigang, vice-minister for Science and Technology, and Zhang Ming, assistant minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.