Saudi Arabia and Seychelles to further strengthen existing partnerships in infrastructure |28 February 2020
Minister Charlette in discussion with Ambassador Khayat (Photo credit: Myra Labiche)
The Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport (MHILT) together with the office of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Seychelles will further strengthen existing partnerships in the areas of infrastructure.
This was the main point of discussions between the newly accredited ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Seychelles, Dr Mohammed A. Khayat and the Minister for Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport, Pamela Charlette, during a meeting held this week.
Ambassador Khayat paid a courtesy call on Minister Charlette after he had presented his credentials to President Danny Faure.
Minister Charlette started by welcoming Ambassador Khayat and reaffirmed the good relationship which exists between Seychelles and Saudi Arabia.
She added that Seychelles is lucky to be supported through various projects by the country especially in the areas of infrastructure.
“For example Badea (Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa) financed infrastructure for Ile Perseverance in 2009 and in 2014. If you get the chance to visit Perseverance you will see the number of houses we have been able to build,” asserted Minister Charlette.
Minister Charlette also expressed her hope for a continued partnership with Saudi Arabia.
“We have a lot to learn from Saudi Arabia but even as a small country we also have much to share as Seychelles is known for its social programmes, its tourism, environment, and its leadership in climate change and the blue economy. For the ministry, in particular, our focus is more on the infrastructure side where we have also received support from other countries in the middle east and we do hope to receive more support from Saudi Arabia in our endeavours to bring about more social and economic development,” added Minister Charlette.
On his part, the newly accredited ambassador said that Seychelles and Saudi Arabia have established a great relationship for some time but it is only at present that this relationship is formalised following his accreditation as the first Saudi Arabian ambassador to Seychelles.
“As the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Kenya also, I will be based in Kenya. As ambassador I wish to further strengthen the relationship between my country and Seychelles. To further support Seychelles, we will need to know the priority areas and the requirements where most support is needed to establish what are the projects which are feasible,” said Ambassador Khayat.
He added that through diplomatic channels the two countries can have more exchange of views and visits to support the existing partnership.
Minister Charlette reiterated that for the ministry infrastructure remains one of the top priorities.
“With the recent announcement in the State-of-the-nation address that more houses will be built, this comes with the availability of land and infrastructure. Once the basic is there – meaning the land and infrastructure – then it will be easier to build,” the minister said.
Minister Charlette also informed Ambassador Khayat of the reclamation projects that the government wants to spearhead. This project will also be of great help to address the availability of land because the steep land topography of Seychelles does not allow us to build where we want to, with minimum cost.
“Another major project we are also looking at is land bank projects because there is high demand for land for residential purposes, so for that, the ministry is undertaking an inventory of where we have land in Seychelles. This will allow the collection and analysis of data for a sustainable land management. Although reclamation remains the alternative to acquire more land,” reaffirmed Minister Charlette.
Ambassador Khayat noted that further discussions will be conducted following the sharing of fact sheets related to potential projects which can be materialised between Seychelles and Saudi Arabia.
Present during the meeting was the special advisor to the minister, Gerard Hoareau, principal secretary for lands Fanette Albert and third secretary, department of foreign affairs, Rebecca Julienne.
Seychelles established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia on September 28, 2000. This year officially marks 20 years of existing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The first Seychellois to be accredited as ambassador to Saudi Arabia was Dick Esparon in 2014.
Ambassador Abdullah Faleh Alarjani was nominated as the non-resident ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Seychelles in May 2018 but he was never accredited. Thus Dr Mohammed A. Khayat becomes the first accredited ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Seychelles.
Contributed by the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport
Minister Charlette in discussion with Ambassador Khayat (Photo credit: Myra Labiche)