President Wavel Ramkalawan received the World Bank Country Director, Mrs. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough for a courtesy call at State House yesterday morning. She was accompanied by the Minister for Finance, National Planning and Trade, Naadir Hassan; Governor of the Central Bank, Caroline Abel; and the Acting country representative, Ms. Brinda Dabysing.
The President welcomed Mrs. Pswarayi-Riddihough and her delegation on this official mission to Seychelles and hoped that it has been one that has been fruitful, where the World Bank can continue to assist Seychelles in its socio-economic development. He availed this opportunity to convey Seychelles’ appreciation for the continuing support provided by the World Bank to Seychelles.
During the meeting, Mrs. Pswarayi-Riddihough briefed the President on her mission here in Seychelles and the interactions she had so far with the Seychellois authorities, namely, the Ministry for Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, Central Bank of Seychelles among others. She explained one of the things they have looked at which is the country’s partnership framework that governs the interactions and the types of work between the World Bank and Seychelles that will end on 30th June 2023, as well as how this institution and Seychelles can further strengthen their partnership.
She also spoke about the follow-up on previous activities that the World Bank and Seychelles have been working on which include areas such as social protection and welfare assistance, teenage pregnancies, education opportunities, agriculture, tourism, and fisheries, among other important issues.
Speaking to the local press after the courtesy call, Mrs. Pswarayi-Riddihough said that based on the discussions she had concerning the different activities and new way forward for the future programmes, some will require peer-to-peer learning from other countries, others will require analytical work and technical assistance and where required the World Bank will also provide the financing. She also informed that the World Bank is keen to open an office in Seychelles soon which will help them to maintain more effective and smoother dialogue with the Government of Seychelles and the private industry hence can also respond in a more flexible and contextual manner.