Belgium State minister calls on Seychelles tourism and culture minister |28 July 2012

The invitation was extended by the Belgian Minister of State Philippe Monfils during a courtesy call on Alain St Ange, Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism and Culture.

Mr Monfils has lengthily explained the raison d’être of Liege as a candidate to host the Exposition 2017.

“The world is conceived as a village. It is important that we promote the concept of citizen of the world or globalism. Liege’s bid is a great opportunity to promote the region and at the same time to connect the world. The city of Liege has a long history of international expositions and a region of cultural attractions,’’ explained Mr Monfils.

Minister St Ange said Seychelles would be present at Expo 2017 which will see the involvement of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). It will be a promotional opportunity for Seychelles in Europe.

Accompanied by Belgium honorary consul Xavier Heinen, Mr Monfils was also briefed on the annual Carnaval International de Victoria staged in Seychelles.

Minister St Ange took the opportunity of the meeting to invite Belgium for the 2013 carnival to be held from February 8-10.

Seychelles’ hosting of a carnival is “an excellent initiative because carnivals benefit communities by bringing people together,’’ said Mr Monfils.

At the end of their meeting in the presence of STB chief executive Elsia Grandcourt, Minister St Ange presented Mr Monfils with a limited edition of the carnival souvenir book, ‘Seychelles Enters the World of Carnivals’.

Supported by the Belgium Federal government, Liege is in the race to host the Expo 2017 with Astana city of Kazakhstan. The international exhibition bureau’s general assembly will decide in December 2012 which city will organise the Expo 2017.