President Michel meets with new Head of IMF Mission to Seychelles

President Michel meets with new Head of IMF Mission to Seychelles

Tue, 27 October 2015

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission's new head to Seychelles, Mr. Wendell Samuel, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel at State House today. He was accompanied by Senior Economist for the African Department, Mr. Joseph Thornton and the Advisor to the Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund for the Asia-Pacific constituency, Mr. Ronald Cafrine.

Mr. Wendell and his delegation are currently in Seychelles to conduct the third review under the Extended Fund Facility, which was approved on 4th June 2014.

President Michel welcomed Mr. Samuel and noted there exists a fruitful partnership between Seychelles and IMF since it started the macroeconomic reform programme in 2008. He further expressed Seychelles’ wish to continue on the programme for future success.

“We thank IMF for its continued support to our economic programme following the launch of our economic reforms. This is indeed a far-reaching programme which I believe has had an excellent start. IMF’s assistance is greatly appreciated. We greatly value your support in the pursuit of further progress for our reforms,” said President Michel.

During the meeting, the President and Mr. Samuel discussed lengthily on how the programme has borne fruit and continues to bear fruit. They spoke about the way Seychelles has been able to successfully restructure most of its external debt obligations, returning Seychelles to a path of towards sustainable debt levels. They further noted that much progress has been achieved in terms of structural reforms, whereby the country has met most of its quantitative programme targets. These included a surplus and increase in foreign exchange reserves, which has boosted the resilience of the economy.

“We will continue with structural reforms that make way for the creation of wealth through SME's and by providing more space for the private sector to operate and thrive. In this regard, we lay a lot of emphasis on capacity building and empowerment of our youth, entrepreneurs and businessmen,” added President Michel.

Regarding public enterprises, the President said it is the policy of the government to ensure that they become competitive and generate their own profits and be financially viable without any governmental financial assistance.

“Many challenges still lie ahead and with IMF’s help we will be able together to meet these challenges in the interest of building a much stronger economy for the people of Seychelles. What is really important is to ensure that the gains and benefits of the economic programme reach the people,” concluded Mr. Michel.

Also present at the meeting, was the Minister for Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Ms. Caroline Abel and the President’s Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte D’Offay.

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Indian Ocean countries support Miss Creole des Iles International competition

Indian Ocean countries support Miss Creole des Iles International competition

Creole speaking countries in the Indian Ocean have pledged their support to the effective organisation and running of the Miss Creole International competition. Seychelles recently elected its Miss Kreol des Iles as part of the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of its annual Festival Kreol.

Following a meeting held at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Offices at ESPACE Building on Monday 26^th October, the minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, Chief Executive of the Vanilla Islands, Pascal Viroleau and other representatives from Reunion Island and Rodgrigues met the founder of the pageant, Director of Telly’s Modelling agency, Terry Carolla.

Also present at the meeting were the Principal Secretary for Culture, Benjamine Rose, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Seychelles Tourism Board Nathalie Didon, Marketing executive at the Tourism Board Coralie Renambatz, Marie Dieu Stelliania Perrine from Rodrigues, and Reine Grondin from Reunion Island. Minister St.Ange informed the meeting that he has also discussed the proposal with Minister Santaram Baboo, the Minister of Arts and Culture of Mauritius and that he was fully supportive of this cultural drive for the Indian Ocean Region.

During the talks, the different representatives representing the different Indian Ocean Islands discussed the many ways through which they could use the pageant to put the Creole culture at the forefront, and have the winner help to market the region’s culture once she has clinched the crown.

“The idea will be for each island to elect their own Miss Kreol des Iles, after which one shall be elected at a beauty with a purpose pageant to elect the Miss Creole des Iles International from the respective island's Kreol Beauty Queens. To better represent this concept there needs to be the presence of the overseas department of territories of France territories, Haiti and also New Orleans. This will be a golden opportunity for them to showcase their Creole culture and the unique attributes of their respective countries,” said Minister St.Ange.

This argument was also supported by Ms Benjamine Rose, the Seychelles PS for Culture. However Mr Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands moved to propose that the pageant be organised to a set standard – enabling all the countries supporting Miss Creole des Iles International to choose a beauty queen fit to be an ambassador for the Creole world.

It is for this reason that those in attendance have also agreed to set up a committee comprising of representatives from their respective islands to ensure that the event is well organised and is successful and that the first pageant to elect the First Miss Creole des Iles International be held during the 2016 Festival Kreol in Seychelles.  The pageant will then rotate to all the islands participating in this beauty pageant. It was agreed that this will be give the islands a big boost in terms of visibility on the international arena.

Those attending the meeting agreed with Minister St.Ange’s wish that Miss Creole des Iles International event is integrated on agenda as part of the calendar of events of activities in Rodrigues, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles.

“It will be also be an event where the flags and the identity of those participating islands will be known to the world,” said Minister St.Ange.

Mr Terry Corolla thanked all those representatives for their support of the idea and stated that the event is a good way of putting the culture of the islands at the forefront as the participating girls will have the opportunity to share the many facets of being Creole through their cuisine and dance to name a few.

It is to be noted that Seychelles staged its Miss Kreol des Iles pageant last October 10, this year and 18 year old Debbie Horsman was the winner.

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Air Seychelles offers in-flight connectivity as icts first Airbus A330 'Aldabra' moves to the Seychelles register

Victoria, Seychelles  |  October 23, 2015 @ 8:22 p.m. Friday in Business »TOURISM | By: Fabienne Fardial and Sharon Urania | Views: 765         

Aldabra, Air Seychelles third Airbus A330 aircraft and first to join the civil aircraft register Seychelles. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency)

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(Seychelles News Agency) - Air Seychelles' Airbus' Aldabra 'HAS Become the third Airbus A330 aircraft and first of the national airline to be registered on the Seychelles civil aircraft register, over the last five months.  

Named after-One of the World's Largest raised coral atoll Seychelles aussi one of UNESCO world heritage sites 'Aldabra', is the first Seychelles-registered aircraft to offer guests in-flight connectivity.

Aldabra, qui has-been registered as S7-ADB officiellement Was Welcomed this morning, As It Was greeted by the traditional water cannon salute at the International airport at Pointe Larue, on the eastern cost of the Seychelles island of Mahe hand this morning.

It is the first Airbus A330 aircraft, Previously registered in the United Arab Emirates with Etihad Airways to be Transferred to the Seychelles civil aircraft register, Following The transfer of two of Air Seychelles' Airbus A320 aircraft, Amirante in June and Silhouette in September this year .          

Aldabra  receiving send the official welcome as a Seychelles registered aircraft as it is greeted by the traditional water cannon salute. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Air Seychelles, qui Was Established in 1977 and adopté ict present name in September 1978 up to 2012 Was Wholly Owned by the Seychelles government.

UAE's Etihad Airways Invested $ 45 million in Air Seychelles When It Bought a 40 percent share in the airline in 2012 with the aim of turning the company around after-Losses of several prior years.    

Aldabra  Was the first Airbus to join Air Seychelles international fleet in 2012 Following The strategic partnership entre les two airlines. 

Speaking to the local press at the airport this morning, Air Seychelles Chief Executive, Roy Kinnear, Described the new services of in-flight connectivity available on the aircraft did Reviews another way of Demonstrating That Air Seychelles is Focused on Improving the guest experience.     

This is expected to allow guests to-have internet connection for smartphones and tablets Their Internet through the Wi-Fi or mobile data, Enabling Them to call friends and family as well as Receive and send texts messages.

"What this means clustering in this day and age of technology, is a technology WIDER ranks of leisure activities onboard our aircraft ... and For Many Who of us travel for work it means clustering Purposes We Can shoot off emails to our colleague," Said Kinnear .

With a configuration of 18 Business Class and 236 Economy Class seats, Aldabra Operates long-haul flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, regional flights to Johannesburg and selected flights to regional destinations of Abu Dhabi and Mauritius ..  

Ribbon cutting ceremony: (from second left) Didier Dogley, Ministry for Environment; Air Seychelles CEO Roy Kinnear, Joel Morgan, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Transport; and Alain St Ange, Ministry for Tourism and Culture. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License:  CC-BY

One of the benefits of Having icts aircraft registered locally Is That this offers advantages shopping more to Air Seychelles Including the opening up of air access to locations, qui require a Seychelles-registered aircraft for charter and scheduled operations based there bilateral air services agreements the Indian Ocean archipelago HAS signed with --other countries.  

"This development lays a strong foundation for more growth, as Air Seychelles can now operate Aldabra, our biggest aircraft in terms of passenger and cargo capacity, to more destinations and explore the possibility of opening new routes to markets qui Were Previously not accessible" Said Kinnear.   

The airline HAS Indicated That It Is Intensifying Plans to fly to China, one destination That Is regarded an emerging market for the island nation's tourism industry; the main pillar of the economy.   

Selon the Seychelles Minister responsible for Transport, Joel Morgan, aussi Chairman of Air Seychelles, the island nation HAS already secured connectivity with four major cities in China Including Beijing and Shanghai.    

"Our plan for China are on track ... we are working very hard.to make sour That is our business model is One That robust, solid and for the development of the Chinese market ...," Said the Seychelles Minister responsible for Transport, Joel Morgan , aussi Chairman of Air Seychelles.   

"I predict que la Chinese market continues to grow Will Significantly ... we are already seeing near exponential growth of this market and I believe it is significant future market year in the balance of things with the European market for Seychelles."

Selon latest figures available on the National Bureau of Statistics website, NBS, a total of 216.774 visitors-have disembarked in the Indian Ocean archipelago of 115 islands with a population of around 93,000 from January to October 18, 2015. 

This Represents 19 percent Increase in visitor arrivals Compared To la même période in 2014.

France  remains the main market with a total of 28.946 visitors so far Closely Followed by Germany with 28.477 visitors.  

Although China is in the sixth position with 12.657 Chinese visitors coming to the Seychelles shores to date, Representing 7 percent Increase Compared to last year's figures, Morgan HAS highlight highlighted the desire to see Seychelles Attracting more doubles than the current number of Chinese visitors to the island nation.  

Selon Morgan, the challenge remains to engage with --other stakeholders in the tourism industry Including the Seychelles Tourism Board, hotels and tour operators to Provide packages geared specifically Reviews towards the Chinese market.    

New destinations are on the cards as Air Seychelles transfers more aircraft to the island nation's civil register of aircraft. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License:  CC-BY

With Amirante, Silhouette and now Aldabra Transferred to the Seychelles aircraft civil register, only one Airbus A330 aircraft painted in Air Seychelles colors is still registered in the United Arab Emirates with Etihad Airways.     

- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/3951#sthash.7MhuBeRy.dpuf

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Grave Accident en France- Le Président Michel exprime sa tristesse et présente ses condoléances

Grave Accident en France- Le Président Michel exprime sa tristesse et présente ses condoléances

Fri, 23 October 2015

A peine informé de la triste nouvelle de la collision qui s’est produite ce vendredi, en France, entre un bus et un camion près de Libourne, en Gironde, faisant plus d’une quarantaine de morts, le Président James Michel a adressé un message à son homologue le Président François Hollande dans lequel il exprime sa tristesse et ses condoléances au peuple français.

«C’est avec une profonde affliction que j’ai appris la nouvelle de la violente collision qui s'est produite ce vendredi en Gironde…."

«En cette triste occasion, je voudrais, au nom du Peuple et du Gouvernement de la République des Seychelles ainsi qu’en mon nom propre, exprimer à vous, au Gouvernement et au peuple français, notre profonde compassion, nos condoléances émues et notre sincère sympathie », écrit le Président Michel dans son message.

Les passagers du bus étaient des personnes d’un club de 3e âge qui partaient en vacance dans une autre ville.

Dans son message le Président Michel prie aussi pour l’âme des disparus et souhaite prompt rétablissement aux blessés.

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President Michel congratulates newly elected Canadian PM

President Michel congratulates newly elected Canadian PM

21-October-2015

President James Michel has sent a congratulatory letter to the new Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, following the Liberal Party’s victory in the country’s general elections. 

In his letter, President Michel, on behalf of the government and people of Seychelles, conveyed to Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada his most sincere and warm congratulations.

“Your victory is significant of your devotion to serving your country and attests to the trust that the people of Canada have placed in your vision to lead them on a path of prosperity,” said President Michel in his letter.

President Michel reiterated the longstanding friendship which exists between the governments and peoples of the two countries and expressed his desire that those ties are continually reinforced for the benefit of both people

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Air Seychelles announces new flight timings and additional winter services to Johannesburg

Air Seychelles announces new flight timings and additional winter services to Johannesburg

21-October-2015

Air Seychelles is set to enhance its flight schedule with convenient new flight timings and will introduce an additional service between Seychelles and Johannesburg to meet seasonal demand over the busy end-of-year period.

Effective Sunday, November 1, 2015, the new schedule will see flight HM061, the airline's existing three-flights-per-week service to Johannesburg, which operates on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, move from the present 8.10am departure to 9.25am, to arrive at Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg at 12.35pm. On the return, flight HM060 from Johannesburg will now depart at 2.00pm, and is scheduled to arrive in the Seychelles at 8.55pm, rather than the current time of 7.30pm.

In addition to these scheduled services, Air Seychelles will also introduce an additional flight each week between Seychelles and Johannesburg, which will operate every Tuesday between December 15, 2015 and January 5, 2016. 

Roy Kinnear, chief executive of Air Seychelles, said: “We are pleased to provide guests with four additional flights between Johannesburg and Seychelles during the busy end-of-year season to meet the strong travel demand from this important city.

“The new Tuesday services will add more than 1,000 seats on the route which, combined with our flights on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, offer guests more choice and convenience when travelling for their holidays over the busy Christmas and New Year period.”

In addition to flying between Seychelles and Johannesburg, travellers can also take advantage of the domestic flights operated by codeshare partner South African Airways, between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and East London.

Seats on the new service operating on December 15, 22 and 29, 2015, as well as January 5, 2016, are now open for sale and can be purchased by contacting the Air Seychelles Contact Centre on +248 439 1000, through the Air Seychelles website on www.airseychelles.com or by calling the official Air Seychelles representative in South Africa, Border Air, on +27 11 326 4443.

Flight schedule for additional services between Seychelles and Johannesburg in December 2015 and January 2016: 

Flight #	Origin	Destination	Departs	Arrives	Days	Aircraft type
HM061	Seychelles (SEZ)	Johannesburg (JNB)	09:25	12:35	Tue, 15 Dec 2015 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 Tue, 05 Jan  2016	Airbus A320
HM060	Johannesburg (JNB)	Seychelles (SEZ)	14:00	20:55

All timings local 

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En gro pye mang i tonm lo en blok flat

En gro pye mang i tonm lo en blok flat

21-October-2015

Swivan movetan ki’n kontinyen persiste yer, en gro pye mang dofinen ti tonbe e andomaz twatir kote gos en younit dan en blok flat sis younit kot Police Quarters dan distrik Mont Fleuri, dan kewaze semen ki mont Belvedere.

I ti osi andomaz en loto ki ti’n park kot sa blok flat.

Personn pa’n ganny dimal dan sa lensidan ki ti ariv ver 5er20 apremidi. Sa vye pye mang in la pour en bon pe lannen.

Dapre temwen ti annan zafan ki ti pe zwe deor me akoz ki lapli ti’n vin for en kou angran zot ti antre anndan e sete a sa moman ki sa pye mang, ki ti’n pouri konpletman anba kot son rasin, ti tonbe.

Madanm Marinette Gobin, ki twatir son younit in andonaze, ti rakonte: «Ti annan trwa nou pe get televizyon ler nou tann sa gro tapaz. Mon ti krwar flat ti pe grennen.»

I ti osi fer remarke ki i ti’n fek telefonn lazans pour risk ek dezas son bomaten konsernan sa pye mang me ki i ti ganny dir ki sa dimoun konsernen pa la.

«Zot pa ti kontakte mwan ankor,» i ti fer remarke.

Prezan osi pour evalye sitiasyon ti Minis pour Litilizasyon Later ek Lakaz, Christian Lionnet, zofisye lazans risk ek dezas e zofisye lazans tenny dife ek sovtaz ki ti pe koup sa gro pye mang.

Dapre administrater distrik Mont Fleuri Jency Volcère laranzman ti pou ganny fer pour rod en landrwa dormi pour sa set manm fanmir sa younit pour yer swar me Madanm Gobin ti dir ek zournal Seychelles NATION ki li i ti pou reste pour vey son bann zafer.

Antretan bann zabitan La Misère ti san elektrisite yer swar apre ki en lot pye dibwa ti’n tonm lo poto elektrik. Dapre PUC i ti sipoze pran zot 8 erdtan pour re-donn kouran dan sa landrwa.

Roche Caiman vizavi bazar 2 pye dibwa ti’n tonm atraver semen e drayver ti bezwen servi semen alternativ.

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Interview with former Finance Minister, Pierre Laporte

Interview with former Finance Minister, Pierre Laporte

21-October-2015

One door closes and another opens - Sacos of the World Bank

Holds a Master in Economics, the Seychelles Pierre Laporte, the former minister of finance, trade and investment, will assume the role of director of the World Bank in Côte d'Ivoire, from 1 November 2015.

He also worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an economist for three years before becoming the representative of the fund in Niger from 2005 to 2008.

Mr. Laporte last week thanked President James Michel for the opportunity that was given to participate in the modernization of institutions and economic reforms of the Seychelles.

We offer you an interview with Mr. Laporte.

Seychelles  NATION: What assessment do you make of the Seychelles finance management since you left the post of the Minister of Finance?

Pierre Laporte: I am very glad to see that President (note: Michael James) and his team maintain the same economic discipline. The management of public finances is transparent and effective. It is true that during previous interviews, I talked about the need to improve things, but what is important is that the results show that the Seychelles economy is very solid. I also see that decisions snuff by President Michel, Finance Minister Jean-Paul Adam and the other members of the government are good and I am very encouraged that the Seychelles are on track to consolidate the gains of stabilization financial.

Seychelles NATION   Is this an easy decision to leave Sacos after spending only four months as general manager?

Pierre Laporte: It was not an easy decision. Contrary to what many people think, I was not aware of the possibility of joining the World Bank. It was only in September that I received the invitation followed by an interview.

It was not easy for several reasons. First, I had begun to implement internal reforms within Sacos and the employees were very encouraged by the changes.

Second, it is not always easy to leave his country. Seychelles is one of the few countries where people live well. Even if it was a difficult decision to make, sometimes you see things in a broader sense. This new experience can influence my career. I always dreamed of working at the World Bank, especially after working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Seychelles NATION   Do you think it would be easy to take on this new challenge?

Pierre Laporte: It is true that this is a new challenge. I will work with the world's largest development institution. This work requires a high level of professionalism and under my jurisdiction there will be five countries - Côte d'Ivoire where I would be based, Guinea, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso - all countries with various challenges. There are countries in post conflict, stable and those emerging challenges. It will be very interesting and at the same time a challenge.

I think that if the World Bank has offered me the opportunity to work, it is certainly because she thinks I have accumulated enough experience working for the IMF and the Seychelles government as governor Central Bank and Ministry of Finance. I am prepared to meet this challenge.

Seychelles NATION   In your opinion, is it easier to work for a private institution or the government?

Pierre Laporte: I think having had the experience of working for the IMF and the Seychelles government is an advantage as opposed to someone who only worked for the government or the private sector. And I know very well how the World Bank because, as Finance Minister, I was also the governor of the World Bank for the Seychelles. While I was at the IMF, I also had contact with the World Bank and I know well its main vision is to reduce poverty and hunger and promoting shared prosperity.

Seychelles NATION   Think you can help Seychelles when you're at the World Bank?

Pierre Laporte: Although Seychelles lose right now a professional, I think that I would be in contact with the outside world will bring me a lot of experience and knowledge that I certainly would share with other Seychellois.

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Agriculture gets US $432,000 boost from FAO

Agriculture gets US $432,000 boost from FAO

21-October-2015

 

A sum of US $432,000 is being spent by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on two technical cooperation projects in Seychelles aimed at boosting agricultural development and increase productions and yields.

Documents relating to the two projects which are already underway were signed yesterday afternoon by the Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture Wallace Cosgrow and the FAO country representative Dr Patrice Talla Takoukam.

The signing took place at the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in the presence of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley as well as key official from both ministries.

Expressing Seychelles’ gratitude to the FAO for its continued support Minister Cosgrow said after the signing that the national agricultural sector needs all the help and support it can get.

“Enhancing the level of investment in the national agricultural sector will be another important area of focus over the next five years as the sector has been showing clear signs of renewed vitality and re-growth after a protracted challenged period,” Minister Cosgrow added.

He noted that the Seychelles National Agricultural Investment Plan (SNAIP) will be subjected to external review of the NEPAD and the African Union this week and pointed out that this US $105 million plan comprising five programmes of investment interventions in the agricultural sector will be subjected to a round table meeting of potential donors and investors in December.

He has invited the FAO to continue to be a party to this national endeavour.

Coming back to the two projects at hand Minister Cosgrow pointed out that capacity building in soil and water management which is receiving US $328,000 will help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather.

“Better soil nutrients and physical management of limited agricultural soils along with flood control on the cultivated coastal plateau and its erosive action on upland soils are crucial to the agricultural sector revival efforts.” Minister Cosgrow noted.

He added that an effective control programme of the invasive euproctis (hairy) caterpillar species which is receiving US $104,000 support, will appease the public health outcries of its ill effects as well as manage, if not, eliminate yet another newly introduced agricultural pest.

“We are determined to raise the contribution of the national agricultural sector to GDP through a combination of well defined approaches and the two FAO projects will impart knowledge, enhance personal skills, incite institutional development and consequently further build local capacity to deal with varied impacts on the natural environment,” he stressed.

Mr Talla Takoukam remarked that the soil and water management project is expected to provide an initial solution to agricultural soils and storm water management problems here.

“We hope that partners will follow this first initiative with a greater common effort in order to establish an efficient system against rain storms and the effects of climate change with a view to building resilience of farmers,” Dr Talla Takoukam pointed out.

With regard to the hairy caterpillar invasion he said Seychelles is currently facing a national crisis as a result.

“Based on available data, a cost benefit analysis indicates that the extent of the infestation and potential economic impact are alarming and require an urgent financial and technical support,” he said.

He pointed out that if no such urgent action is taken to control the rapid increase in the species population, there could be severe consequences on the general population, on tourists as well as on the country’s ability to safeguard and ensure food and nutrition security.

Dr Talla Takoukam reaffirmed the FAO’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its partners and to continue supporting its member states including Seychelles.

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President congratulates former Seychelles minister Pierre Laporte for appointment to high-level World Bank post

President congratulates former Seychelles minister Pierre Laporte for appointment to high-level World Bank post

Tue, 13 October 2015

The former Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Mr. Pierre Laporte, paid a farewell call on President James Michel at State House this morning, ahead of his posting to a senior World Bank role at the end of this month.

Mr. Laporte will take up the post of the World Bank’s Country Director for Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo as of November 1, 2015, and will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

President Michel congratulated Mr. Laporte for this notable achievement and expressed his gratitude for his hard work and dedication to the economic development of Seychelles.

“Thank you for your hard work and contribution to the economic reforms in your time as Governor of the Central Bank and as Minister for Finance. Your World Bank appointment is a great recognition of your skills and expertise as well as the success of Seychelles’ economic reforms. It makes us proud as a nation, as it shows what a small country can do on the international scene. I hope you continue to assist Seychelles in various world fora.  I wish you every success in your new role,” said Mr. Michel.

Mr. Laporte thanked the President for his support and friendship, as well as the opportunities he received to contribute towards the development of Seychelles and the economic reforms that were undertaken.

He said that he would share the Seychelles experience of the reforms with the World Bank and the countries he will be working with and ensure that the fundamentals of the Blue Economy concept continue to be promoted in the African region.

“It is not easy to leave Seychelles....there is no better country in the world, so it was a difficult decision but I looked ahead in terms of my career and the opportunity to work at the World Bank has always been a dream of mine...and today I have been able to realize it...it is a real challenge and it will be really demanding...but I am ready for it,” said Mr. Laporte in an interview with local media.

Pierre Laporte has worked in the past for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for six years, and became the fund’s resident representative in Niger from 2005 to 2008. In November 2008 he was appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles at the start of the Seychelles economic reform programme with assistance from the IMF.

In January 2015 he stepped down as Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, and in the last four months Mr. Laporte worked as the Chief Executive Officer of the SACOS Group.

Also present in the meeting was the President’s Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte d’Offay.

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Master of the Supreme Court of Seychelles is sworn into office

Master of the Supreme Court of Seychelles is sworn into office

Fri, 09 October 2015

Ms Ellen Carolus was sworn into office as the Master of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Seychelles in a ceremony at State House this morning.

She took the Oaths of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath before the President of the Republic, Mr. James Michel, and in the presence of the Vice-President, Mr. Danny Faure, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Francis MacGregor, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Andre Pool,  Judges and Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, the Chairperson and Members of the Constitutional Appointments Authority, the Attorney General, members of the family of the Master, as well as senior officials in the Office of the President.

President Michel congratulated the Master Carolus and noted that her expertise and diligence would certainly contribute to the improvement and efficiency of the Seychelles judiciary.

“ My appointment to the Judiciary is a great honour for me, as the Judiciary is an institution that has an important role, and I am proud to belong to it. It is a way for me to serve my country and the Seychellois people. For my professional career, it is also a big step forward and this makes me very happy,” said Ms Carolus in an interview with local media after the ceremony.

The Master of the Supreme Court is a procedural judge. For example, when a court case is filed, it may be "mentioned" before the Master, who may set dates for the hearing before a judge, and undertake procedural matters related to this.  She can rule on cases such as the non-contested divorce cases, uncontested appointment and confirmation of executors, and all matters of pleadings and procedure up to the stage of hearing, in civil cases, and such other matters as determined by the Chief Justice, as provided for in the Constitution.

The post had remained vacant since its separation from the functions of the Registrar of the Supreme Court in 2008.

Ms. Carolus’ appointment followed the recommendations made by the Constitutional Appointments Authority to the President of the Republic.

Ellen Carolus holds a Bachelors Degree in Law from the University of Mauritius, and was admitted to the Bar in 2002.In 2003 she was employed in the Department of Legal Affairs as State Counsel, and rose to the rank of Principal State Counsel.

She has attended specialist training courses in legal drafting organised by the Commonwealth and by the Legal Training Institute of Malaysia.Ms Carolus has been practising as an Attorney-at-Law in the Supreme Court of Seychelles from 2009, and has also served as the Director of Legal Affairs in the Fair Trading Commission, as well as legal consultant on various projects.

Her most recent appointment was as Legal Counsel to the SACOS Group.She has been a full member of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsels since 2012.

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