Angolan ambassador calls on transport minister |02 June 2021

Ambassador de Oliveira in discussion with Minister Derjacques (Photo: Joena Meme)

The newly accredited Angolan ambassador to Seychelles, Sandro Renato Agostinho de Oliveira, and his delegation yesterday called on the Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, at his office at Botanical House.

The main topic of discussion was a bilateral air agreement (BAA) between the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Angola.

Minister Derjacques explained that Seychelles sent the first notifications of an interest in a collaboration with Angola in 2014 and 2015, which was especially due to Air Seychelles’ interest in extending its flight patterns beyond South Africa to Angola.

“Angola has always been attractive to Air Seychelles and to the Republic of Seychelles, not only because of the Chinese expat community stationed in Angola that could facilitate travel between China, Seychelles and Angola through Air Seychelles, but also because of the economic and commercial ties between Angola and Seychelles,” stated the minister.                                                                                                                “Angola has vast oil and mineral wealth which can create trade between Angola and Seychelles, a strong fishing industry and a very large developed port. Seychelles has newly set up agencies such as the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority where we have to fully develop our safety and security, for both shipping and safety for seafarers. We need to cooperate and receive help in expertise and human resources from countries whose ports and maritime safety is more developed than Seychelles,” Minister Derjacques said.

“Since Seychelles is already flying to and from South Africa, and Angola is located in Southern Africa, it would be very helpful if Seychelles could link directly to Angola or via South Africa. In addition there are visitors that could travel between two countries to help the other industries in the Seychelles,” he added.

Other areas in which the Minister Derjacques proposed to collaborate with Angola, in addition to the BAA, are firstly, land transportation – the introduction of a more modern fleet of public buses in Seychelles and assistance with discussions on a Land Traffic System to which Ambassador de Oliveira said he will look into these on behalf of the Republic of Angola.

Secondly, Minister Derjacques requested guidance in terms of maritime security and safety and Mr de Oliveira said that within the next three months they will approach the government of Seychelles to discuss how they can help.

The ambassador requested that Seychelles help the Republic of Angola with the knowledge and expertise that they need to create a system that is compatible to Seychelles’ ‘Travizory’ system. Seychelles is the first African country that has an electronic system in place that provides information from public health authorities and through which all security, immigration and customs information can be uploaded, before travellers even enter the country. Angola is currently only doing humanitarian flights and using manual systems, so Seychelles will help the country to open its borders in a safe and secure manner.

The principal secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alan Renaud, will be in contact with Angola’s respective officers to facilitate more rapid and efficient negotiation and signing of the air agreement, which Ambassador de Oliveira has now agreed to move up from November to September this year.

Iza Amade