Seychelles at world trade organisation’s ministerial conference |05 December 2013

A high level Seychelles delegation, headed by the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte, is attending the 9th World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference being held in Bali, Indonesia from December 3-6.

On the margins of the conference, the delegation in Bali is holding high level talks with negotiating partners, with the aim of concluding all bilateral negotiations on Seychelles' accession to the WTO.

The government is hoping to conclude all bilateral agreements by the end of February 2014.

Yesterday, Seychelles reached another milestone with the conclusion and signature of a bilateral agreement with Japan. With yesterday's signing, only one bilateral agreement currently remains; namely with the United States of America.

The agreement with Japan was signed by Minister Laporte on behalf of the government of Seychelles and by Norio Mitsuya, parliamentary senior vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the government of Japan.

Following the signing, Minister Laporte thanked the Japanese government for its continued support towards Seychelles endeavour to accede to the WTO.

Minister Laporte also noted that Japan has been a faithful partner of Seychelles in its socio economic development.

Minister Laporte is being accompanied to this conference by Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave, Nico Barito, special envoy of the Republic of Seychelles for ASEAN, and representatives from the trade division of the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment.