Press release

Vice-President showcases Blue Economy in London

March 29, 2019
StateHouse

Vice-President Vincent Meriton led the Seychelles delegation on an official mission to London on 27 March 2019 at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

 During his meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, she commended Seychelles for the initiatives being undertaken as a small island state in leading and developing the Blue Economy sector and reiterated the Commonwealth Secretariat’s commitment to further exploring avenues of closer collaboration in the development of this sector. She also presented the Vice-President with a copy of the Blue Economy Roadmap. The Blue Economy Strategic document and Roadmap outline an integrated process that is aligned with the Seychelles National Development Strategy. The Secretary General reiterated her commitment to working closely with Seychelles to take forward the Commonwealth Blue Charter under which Seychelles leads the Marine Protected Areas Action Group. Other discussions focussed on matters related to climate change resilience and disaster preparedness and management. Both sides agreed to work together in exploring mechanisms to facilitate access to funding from the Green Fund.

The Vice-President also had a bilateral meeting with Ms Harriett Baldwin MP, UK Minister of State for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office where they discussed maritime security, economic partnership agreement (post Brexit), the ongoing Nekton science research expedition and the fight against plastic pollution in the oceans. The issue of the ongoing challenges of Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing in the African region was also discussed.

The Vice-President also participated in a roundtable discussion on trade and investment opportunities in Seychelles with a selected group of investors and financial analysts, hosted by Developing Markets Associates Ltd and Clyde & Co Legal firm. The Vice-President and his delegation answered questions on a broad range of issues such as ease of doing business, technology and information, hydro-carbons, human capital, education and the blue economy.

Vice-President Meriton was accompanied by the Seychelles High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Derick Ally, Ms Rebecca Loustau-Lalanne, Principal Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office, Mr Kenneth Racombo, Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy and Mr Terry Romain, Principal Counsellor at the Seychelles High Commission.

 

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