Assembly’s international affairs committee members get better insight of WTO processes |05 May 2022

The meeting in full swing (Photo: Contributed)

Members of the National Assembly’s international affairs committee recently met with a delegation from the trade division to get a better insight of the World Trade Organisation’s processes and Seychelles’ position within the international trade body.

The delegation from the trade division was led by its principal secretary Ronald Cafrine and it also comprised the director general for the division, Ricky Barbé and trade consultant Charles Morin.

Held at the National Assembly committee room at Ile Du Port, the meeting was chaired by the international affairs committee (IAC) chairperson Hon. Waven William and was attended by other members Hon. Phillip Arissol, Hon. Egbert Aglae and Hon. Wallace Cosgrow.

The discussions centred around Seychelles’ trade compliance and transparency in line with the country’s commitments to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as well as various legislative challenges faced by the trade sector both nationally and internationally. They also discussed the way forward for Seychelles with regards to its trade policy review (TPR).

Following previous discussions on Seychelles’ TPR, the IAC found the need to meet with trade officials to get an update and better understanding and more details of the TPR.

The meeting successfully identified other areas for further cooperation on trade-related issues and these include specifically how Seychelles as a small island developing state and a WTO member will adapt to the drastic changes in global trade. During this time of Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts such as the Ukraine and Russia armed conflict which are impacting on supply chains with a rise in the cost of freight, commodities, and cost of living, IAC members felt that the public at large is not well informed of the advantages, dangers, and future potential of being a member of the WTO.

At the end of the meeting the IAC members felt that there is a need for the trade division to make a statement before the National Assembly so that other members and the general public can better understand the position of Seychelles as a WTO member where risks and opportunities are concerned.  

Press release from the National Assembly