April,9,2013-- President James Michel met with the Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Mr Abdelaziz Khelef at State House this morning.

The meeting at State House follows the signature of a technical assitance agreeement worth 330,000 US Dollars for disaster prevention, which took place yesterday between BADEA and the Government of Seychelles.The agreement was signed by Vice-President Danny Faure and Director General Abdelaziz Khelef.

President Michel said the technical assistance would be essential for the improvement of the country's drainage systems, in order to minimise the risks of flooding, as was experienced this year in Seychelles during tropical storm Felleng.

President Michel thanked BADEA for its support to Seychelles in the development of housing and infrastructure for Ile Perserverance, for educational facilities such as the Maritime Training Centre and the Seychelles Tourism Academy, as well as other BADEA-funded projects.

The President and the Director General also discussed possibilities for future projects in the fields of energy provision as well as infrastructure for small businesses and microfinance projects.