Outgoing HCs pay farewell visit to President Michel |18 March 2015

The outgoing Sri Lankan (above photo) and Bangladeshi high commissioners paying their farewell calls on President Michel

The outgoing high commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles Rajatha Piyatissa and his Bangladeshi counterpart Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury both paid a farewell visit to President James Michel at State House yesterday morning.

Mr Piyatissa was the first to be received by President Michel after his ten-month stay in Seychelles.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, he said he feels that the relations between the two countries have improved a lot during his short stay as his country’s representative, resulting in many benefits for both of them.

“The ten months, though very short, have been very fruitful,” he commented.
Among the areas where he feels relations have developed between the two countries, he mentioned health, tourism and trade. On the latter, he noted that many Sri Lankan businessmen are now keen to invest and do business in Seychelles.

On his part, Mr Chowdhury who has now been posted as his country’s new high commissioner to South Africa, also noted the good progress in the relations between his country and Seychelles during the one year that he has been in office.

He commented that if the relations were dormant before his posting, developments have recently occurred in the fields of business, tourism and the blue economy.

“Talking about the blue economy and the exploitation of marine resources, Seychelles has more experience in this field. So we look forward to gain from this experience,” he said.

As concrete examples of the partnership, he stated that the two countries are currently working on a double taxation avoidance agreement; more Bangladeshis are willing to visit Seychelles and the provision of more labour force for local industries.

He added that with a new Mauritius-based high commissioner who is expected to present his credentials to President Michel next month, Bangladesh is looking forward to enhance the good cooperation with Seychelles.

“Our friendly cooperation with Seychelles will continue,” he said, citing air connectivity as one of the next priority areas.
During their visit to State House, both outgoing high commissioners also paid a last visit to Vice-president Danny Faure.