Victoria and Colombo sign twinning accord |17 July 2014

Victoria and Colombo (Sri Lanka) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on friendly exchanges and cooperation.

The document was signed on Wednesday at the Colombo Town Hall by the Mayor of Victoria Jacqueline Moustache-Belle and the Mayor of Colombo A. J.M Muzammil.
It is the first time that Victoria signs a twinning agreement with Sri Lanka.

Victoria, for the district of Bel Ombre, has entered into this MoU with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties between the two cities and, in particular, to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Victoria for the district of Bel Ombre and the city of Colombo thereby expanding friendly contacts between them and promoting cooperation in various fields for the common prosperity of Victoria, Bel Ombre and Colombo.

Mrs Moustache-Belle is being accompanied by the member of the National Assembly for Bel Ombre Galen Bresson and district administrator Pharisianne Lucas, who were both present at the signing.

In a speech for the occasion, the Mayor of Victoria thanked the Mayor of Colombo for having accepted to enter into this twinning programme so that both countries can activate their friendship at this angle of cooperation, where she said it is within the community that you actually reach the people and make a difference.

“Twinning is an activity where citizens from all walks of life have the opportunity to participate. Through the signing of this agreement, we are opening doors to our peoples, to bring them closer together, to better understand the culture and habits and this can be done through the exchanges that can be created through the twinning,” said Mrs Moustache-Belle, adding that both Seychelles and Sri Lanka share similar historical heritages which give both countries a lot in common.

The Mayor of Victoria went on to say that both Seychelles and Sri Lanka belong to the Commonwealth, where it is a common platform to enjoy and harness the potential for stronger cooperation and exchanges.

Seychelles and Sri Lanka are also small islands developing states (Sids) and through our historical ties and present affiliation, the two countries share a lot in common.

She said both governments have already established exchanges and training in various fields like health, renewable energy, aviation, legal affairs to name some.

Referring to previous MoUs signed at national level between the two governments, Mrs Moustache-Belle said at the level of the Mayor’s office and at the level of community, she was proud that both countries are now making history by signing of the first twinning agreement between Sri Lanka and Seychelles.

“We need to strengthen and exploit the harmonious cooperation in all ways possible for the benefit of our two cities. This can be done mainly in the field of tourism. Bel Ombre will be able to learn and benefit from the small tourism establishments that Colombo has and likewise Colombo can tap into the knowledge of Bel Ombre,” she said.

Both the Mayor of Victoria and the Bel Ombre MNA also held meetings with stakeholders in the fisheries and tourism sectors of Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the tourism sector, Mrs Moustache-Belle said Seychelles has been very successful in the development of its tourism industry and that most of our small establishments are owned and operated by Seychellois.

“I am certain through the twinning there will be a lot of worthwhile exchanges that could take place. We proudly boast a sustainable tourism industry alongside the protection of the virginal beauty of our well sought after environment,” she said.

In the fisheries sector, Colombo is very advanced.  Bel Ombre is a district with the most substantial community of fishermen in Seychelles and the Mayor of Victoria also seized that opportunity to inform her Sri Lankan counterpart on this very important sector of the Seychelles’ economy.

“It is therefore of great importance that exchanges take place, it can be both for the technical knowledge as well as the traditional practice. I am confident that both parties will have rich knowledge to exchange and exploit,” she said.