July 7, 2010 -- Talks in Victoria this week show a "very high level of commitment" from the government towards Seychelles' accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This was said by Ms Hilda Al-Hinai, the head of the visiting WTO delegation, after a meeting with President James Michel yesterday.

Ms Al-Hinai is the chairperson of Seychelles' WTO accession working party and Oman's deputy ambassador at the world trade body. The delegation is in Seychelles for discussions with various stakeholders.

On Monday the delegation met the Vice-President and Minister for Finance and Trade, Mr Danny Faure and other high government officials.

Talking to the media after calling on the President at State House, Ms Al-Hinai said: "Mr Michel was very positive and welcoming towards the results of the meeting, which I think is a very good start for Seychelles' accession to the world trade body."

She said the talks have shown a very high level of commitment from the government towards its accession to the WTO which she believes will move things forward.
     
Mr Charles Morin, Seychelles' chief negotiator for WTO accession, told the national media that although the process of joining the world body is long, the benefits are enormous -- among them an increase in investor confidence and protection for local business and trade -- he added.