President Danny Faure chaired the sixth consultative session for the high-level forum responsible for the implementation of the National Integrated Framework for the opening of Seychelles to commercial flights. The meeting was held at the STC Conference room this morning.
The regular meetings provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to collectively discuss ongoing challenges and brainstorm solutions, facilitating consensus-built decisions that are in the best interest of the people and the country.
Members present heard the latest updates and follow-up actions from key authorities and agencies following decisions taken in the last meeting. They also continued discussions on the risks and benefits of open borders, particularly public health and safety considerations given the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to ravage the world.
The Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, provided an overview of the global situation and the local context with regards to COVID-19 to date. The Chairperson of the Task Force Committee and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, also provided an update of the committee’s work for the past two weeks. This was followed by updates from the Department of Tourism by Principal Secretary Anne Lafortune and the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, on the latest trends and market information as well as statistics of tourism arrivals in the country. SHTA’s Vice Chairperson, Mr Alan Mason, reported on the SHTA’s position regarding certain challenges encountered by the tourism industry.
Today’s meeting also resulted in a decision regarding a ‘special status’ for key countries in Seychelles’ tourism market and the stringent criteria they will need to meet prior and following entry into the country to ensure greater safety of citizens. The forum also agreed that citizens need to better observe the public health guidelines in place, particularly given the reopening of the country’s borders.
Delivering his concluding remarks during this morning’s meeting, President Faure urged members present to reflect on how far the country has come over the last six months and what has collectively been achieved. “So far we have managed to contain and manage this pandemic considerably well compared to many countries in our region. Despite being a small country with minimal resources, we have put up a strong public health response. However, our economy and tourism industry has been severely affected. It is only by working together that we will surmount the challenges ahead,” said President Faure.
The next high-level forum meeting will be held on 6October 2020.
Present for the meeting at STC Conference, was the Minister of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Amb. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, the Minister Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Charles Bastienne, Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Miriam Télémaque, Secretary of State for Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, the Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Ms Caroline Abel, Special Advisor to MFTIEP, Mrs Sitna Cesar, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kishnan Labonté, Principal Secretary Economic Planning, Mrs Elizabeth Agathine, Principal Secretary Health, Dr Bernard Valentin, Special Advisor Health, Dr Loren Reginald, Chairman Public Health Authority, Dr Conrad Shamlaye, CEO of the Healthcare Agency, Dr Danny Louange, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gédéon, Principal Secretary for the Department of Immigration and Civil Status, Mr Alain Volcere, Principal Secretary for Employment, Mr Jules Baker, the Special Advisor for Employment, Ms Veronique Bresson, Special Advisor Immigration and Civil Status, Mr Michel Marie, CEO for SETS, Mr Guy Morel, Chief Policy Analyst, Employment, Ms Susan Morel, Director General for Employment Promotion, Mrs Letimie Dookley, Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Michel Elisabeth, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary Agriculture, Mr Antoine- Marie Moustache, CEO for the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, Deputy Governor of the Central of Seychelles, Mr Christopher Edmond, the Chairperson of SCCI, Mr Oliver Bastienne, Secretary General SCCI, Mrs Iouana Pillay, Health Coordinator for Faith Based Organisation, Dr Anne Gabriel, representative of SIFCO, Mrs Marion Gentron, the Chairperson of SHTA, Mrs Sybille Cardon, the Vice-Chairperson of SHTA, Mr Allen Mason, Executive Secretary of GETUS, Mrs Tina Hoarau, the Secretary-General of SFWU, Mr Antoine Robinson, representatives of the La Digue Business Association, Mr José St Ange, Chairperson of CEPS, Mr Jude Fred, Vice Chairperson of CEPS, Mrs Marie-Nella Azémia and member of CEPS, Dr Nirmal Jivan Shah.