Covid-19 relief fund gets R950,000 |19 February 2021

Minister Hassan accepts the donation from Mr Zaidi

The Covid-19 relief fund has received an additional R950,000 following two donations yesterday.

Seychelles honorary consul general in Hong Kong Diana Chen has donated R900,000 while Bank Al Habib has contributed R50,000 to the fund – a fund which was announced by President Wavel Ramkalawan on January 10, 2021 upon launching the country’s national Covid-19 immunisation campaign.

The cheques were handed over to the Minister for Finance, Economic Planning and Trade Naadir Hassan.

Ms Chen, whose cheque was presented on her behalf by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Tourism, has also previously during the pandemic gifted Seychelles with 10,000N95 and 100,000 surgical masks (worth USD50,000).

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, has commended Ms Chen for her continuous support and solidarity with the people of Seychelles during this time of public health emergency.

Bank Al Habib’s donation was handed over to Minister Hassan by thebank’s country manager, Azhar Zaidi.

Accepting the donation, Minister Hassan pointed out that “it is important for the country to raise funds at this critical time, because the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is costly”.

“Managing and curtailing the health crisis and its economic impact is expensive, so on behalf of the government let me express our sincere appreciation to Bank Al Habib for the donation,” Minister Hassan said.

Mr Zaidi on his part said Bank Al Habib heeded the call to contribute to the Covid-19 relief fund because it is part of the community.

“Bank Al Habib Seychelles feels it is its social responsibility to come forward in these tough times and show solidarity with the nation and contribute towards the noble cause of fighting this pandemic together,” Mr Zaidi said.

Phillip Moustache, the chairperson of the Seychelles Bankers Association, was also present at the ceremony.

Press releases from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning & Trade/Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Tourism