‘Seychelles and Mauritius are one Nation’ |25 April 2014

“Being two small island states, Seychelles and Mauritius are one Nation as they both have few resources and they are far from their suppliers in the terms of distances. We have the same culture, same tradition and we speak the same language.”

This was said by the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection of Mauritius Cader Hossen after calling on President James Michel yesterday morning at State House.
Minister Hossen is on a formal visit to Seychelles to attend the first Mauritius international trade fair and the first Seychelles-Mauritius business forum.

He was accompanied to State House by the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam; Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte; the secretary general of the Executive Office of the President, Lise Bastienne; the President's diplomatic adviser, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay; the ambassador of Mauritius to Seychelles Marie-France Roussety and the permanent secretary to the Mauritian Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Asha Burrenchobay.

The President said he is satisfied that the forum is taking place and hopes that this will strengthen the commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

To note, the official visit of Minister Hossen and his delegation followed the joint-decision between President Michel and Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam during his state visit in Seychelles in June 2012 to pave the way for a sustainable development in commercial cooperation.

“I am very happy that the forum is taking place. It is the first time that we receive such strong Mauritian business delegations in Seychelles. I believe that it will be a way forward to develop further the cooperation between our two countries and I am sure that it will improve our trade and commerce,” said President Michel.

During the meeting they also discussed areas in which Seychelles and Mauritius can broaden and enhance their diplomatic ties, such as in a new economic framework, avenues for better maritime links to ease trade, air links, judiciary, education, health, finance, agriculture and livestock among others. They also highlighted the importance of having signed the landmark treaties for the joint exercise of sovereign rights and the joint management of the continental shelf in the Mascareignes plateau region.

Minister Hossen conveyed his thanks to President Michel for receiving him here in Seychelles: “I have also conveyed greetings and salutations to President Michel from our Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam. And today both islands have been able to deal with those constraints, thanks to the determination of our two political leaders. I believe that we have a good future and by reinforcing our cooperation we will have a brighter one,” Minister Hossen added.

He also announced that they are looking at the possibilities of making the Mauritius international trade fair an annual event. More than 100 Mauritians are in the country for the forum.