Seychelles’ ambassador to Singapore accredited |10 February 2012

Mr Le Gall and President Tan discussed issues of bilateral importance for Singapore and Seychelles, including the challenges of sustainable development for small islands, the fight against piracy, and areas in which cooperation should be encouraged – particularly education and training, trade, tourism and environment protection.

President Tan expressed his satisfaction at Seychelles having re-joined the Indian Ocean Rim in November last year and stressed the active and useful role the country will play within the organisation.

Mr Le Gall, who is also Seychelles’ resident ambassador to Beijing, also presented the country’s ‘Look East’ policy and mentioned the strong attention the government of Seychelles pays to Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) in which Singapore is particularly active.

The ambassador further developed these points during bilateral meetings at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Ms Kang Siew Kheng, the director of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Directorate, and the possibility for the two countries to enter a double taxation avoidance agreement.

In addition, Mr Le Gall also confirmed Seychelles’ interest in taking part in the 2nd Singapore-Africa Business Forum to be held in Singapore in August this year.