Seychelles’ effort to develop its ‘Blue economy’ gets further boost |07 July 2015

Seychelles is set to benefit from the expertise of Indonesia in the fields of oceanography, fisheries and aquaculture.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) betweem the University of Seychelles and the University of Mataram.

The MoU was signed on June 29, 2015 by Ambassador Waven William on behalf of the UniSey and Professor Sunarpi on behalf of the University of Mataram.

The Mataram University is an institution that specialises in oceanography, fisheries and aquaculture and this MoU will pave the way for collaboration in such fields especially where training opportunities for Seychellois nationals are concerned, joint research works and information sharing for mutual benefits.

Seychelles is strongly advocating the Blue Economy concept and to support this commitment a Blue Economy division has been recently set up within the Ministry of Finance to give more focused attention to this sector.

The signing of the MoU on June 29 in the Indonesian capital Jakarta coincided with Seychelles' 39th Independence Day anniversary, when President James Michel announced that the site at Cap Ternay where  a hotel development was being proposed site has now been earmarked for a Blue Economy Institution to be set up in the very near future.

This MoU, among other instruments of cooperation, is another step in the right direction for Seychelles to have the choice of mapping out a comprehensive strategic approach towards the sustainable development of the marine spatial space of its exclusive, economic zone.

It is essential to note that Indonesia, similar to Seychelles, remains committed to sustainable development, food security and environmental protection, especially where the ocean economy is concerned.