The Executive Director of the World Bank, Dr. Hassan Taha, has paid a farewell call on President James Michel at State House this morning following a two year tenure representing Seychelles and other African countries on the Board of Directors for World Bank in Washington DC, USA. Dr Taha was accompanied by the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, Mr. Peter Larose. The Minister for Finance, Investment and Trade, Mr. Pierre Laporte, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Caroline Abel, were also present during the meeting.

President James Michel thanked Dr. Taha for the support and effort he has personally gave during his mandate, particularly during the economic reform programme being implemented by Seychelles.

“The Government of Seychelles need the continuous support of the World Bank in implementing its reform programme, bearing in mind the specificities of the small island states, which are vulnerable to shocks from the world economy. With the support of the World Bank we will continue to build a strong and resilient economy on the foundations of democracy and good governance. We are thankful for your support and I wish you well in your future endeavours,” said President Michel.

Dr. Taha has described his time in office to be of a great achievement not only for Seychelles but for many other African countries whereby he has been able to witness great cooperation between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as well as the reform programme undertaken by the Government of Seychelles, which has ‘lead to its progress.’ 

“It was an honour to represent Seychelles and I thanked President Michel for the support, trust and guidance he has given me to serve on the Board of Directors... Seychelles has really played an important role in creating the constituency that I have represented,” said Dr. Taha.

Dr. Taha said that the World Bank will continue to give the financial support to the Seychelles as well as providing technical assistance so that it may continue with the reform programme of its economy.

Dr. Hassan will be succeeded by Dr Denny Kalyalya, previously the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Zambia.