Sino-Seychelles ties get added boost |23 June 2012

The document was signed by Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange and Mr YongAn Cui of the China International Friendship & Culture Festival.

The agreement is the initiative of the organising committee of China International Friendship & Culture Festival with the aim of furthering cooperation between China and Seychelles in the fields of tourism, culture, diplomacy and economy.

The signed agreement primarily lays the foundation for the set up of the China-Seychelles International Cultural Union Committee, which will serve to further consolidate the partnership between Seychelles and China.

The agreement makes provision for reinforcing cultural exchanges between China and Seychelles, and to hold an annual Sino-Seychelles culture week in China, as well as to promote the islands to some 30 international travel agencies in China.

The agreement also provides for the organisation to promote Seychelles in a bid to increase the number of Chinese visitors to Seychelles to some 30,000 in the next five years and to further develop cultural and economic ties between the two countries.

The organisation’s committee will also be responsible for the setting up of visits between the organising committee of China International Friendship & Culture Festival and the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Through the MoU now signed, the organising committee of China International Friendship & Culture Festival is looking to assist in the development of an aquatic park in Seychelles, which will be a first for the islands and confirms China’s participation in the next edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria.

The Chinese involvement in the carnival will be facilitated by the organising committee of the China International Friendship & Culture Festival.

On signing the agreement, Mr St Ange said he welcomes this MoU as it will strengthen the existing partnership and increase cooperation between Seychelles and China, which is deeply rooted, dating back to 150 years.

“We appreciate the good relations that we have with China, and signing this MoU allows both Seychelles and China to further consolidate this partnership, and bring about more fruitful cooperation.

“The MoU has come at the right time when Seychelles is increasing its actions aimed at tapping into the Chinese tourist market. The points covered in this MoU will go a long way in helping us boost our visitor arrival numbers from China by generating more visibility for the islands, as well as to provide more opportunities for both countries to share their cultures,” said Minister St Ange.