President Michel returns from official visit to Japan-A further boost to relations between Seychelles and Japan |13 April 2009

This was announced by President James Michel upon his return from an official to Japan last week.

Cutting short his visit in view of growing concern over pirate attacks in our waters (see separate story), Mr Michel arrived in the country on Friday afternoon.

He was met on arrival by Vice-President Joseph Belmont, the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan, the Chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet and Commissioner of Police Ernest Quatre.

In an interview with the media at the airport, Mr Michel said his visit was opportune as it came at a time when Seychelles is about to negotiate with the Paris Club – of which Japan forms part – to have its debt rescheduled.

Photo provided by Kyodo-Tsushin (Japanese Press Agency)

He said he has been assured by Prime Minister Taro Aso that Japan will support Seychelles in its undertaking and will give favourable consideration to its request

He said his visit has also allowed him to discuss other fields of cooperation with Japan notably fisheries, the environment and tourism.

Japan has been a formidable partner in the field of fisheries whereby it has financed several projects especially with regard to artisanal fishing. On-going projects include the construction of a fishing port at Providence and the upgrading and modernising of the one at Bel Ombre.

Mr Michel said talks with his Japanese hosts focused on how Japan can finance other projects in future and more importantly they have looked into the possibility of Japan investing in infrastructure related to industrial fishing.

Photo provided by Kyodo-Tsushin (Japanese Press Agency)

This, Mr Michel said, would allow the country to have a better return on its industrial fishing industry.

“The potential is there but needs to be followed up with more in-depth studies,” Mr Michel said.

On the environment Mr Michel said Seychelles supports Japan’s Cool Earth Initiative and in his meeting with Emperor Akihito they have felt the need for a closer partnership in dealing with the climate change issue.

In this context, Japan has agreed to finance a project to study the effects that climate change can have on our coasts and its link to flooding.

With regard to tourism, Mr Michel said there is a great potential between Japan and Seychelles to develop a tourism partnership.

Noting that the Japanese are keen travellers, Mr Michel said the only problem in this area is an air link between the two countries.

He said he took the opportunity of his visit to raise this issue with the Japanese authorities so that discussions on air links between the two countries can start.

Photo provided by Kyodo-Tsushin (Japanese Press Agency)

He said our newly opened honorary consulate in Tokyo (which he himself opened during his visit) will follow up on this. 

Mr Michel also said he was reassured by the Japanese authorities that even though their country was also being affected by the ongoing financial crisis in the world, this will not affect Japan’s commitment to double the help they give to African countries in the coming years.

He said with regard to Seychelles, we stand to benefit more through projects within the framework of TICAD (Tokyo International Conference for African Development).