The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, witnessed the signing of a Statement of Intention to Sign Agreements between the Seychelles Ports Authority, European Commission, European Investment Bank, and Agence Française de Développement, in respect of the rehabilitation and extension of Port Victoria. The ceremony took place at State House this morning.
The project entails the detailed design and construction of a new quay, offset from the existing quay, and demolition as necessary of the existing quay. With the extension of the port’s yard area and further dredging, it will allow larger vessels into the harbour and increase overall port capacity. Once the project is completed, it is expected that it will increase the port’s safety and environmental performance in the handling of goods, and lead to an overall improvement in the efficiency of port operations.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has given a loan of 12.5 million Euros, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is providing a loan of 16.5 million Euros, while the European Union (EU) has given Seychelles a grant of 5 million Euros to finance the modernisation and enlargement of the Port Victoria. 2 million Euros worth of technical assistance will also be put at the disposal of the Seychelles Ports Authority.
The agreement was signed by Mr Tom Andersen, the Head of Regional Representation for EIB, the Ambassador for France to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, the Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD), Monsieur Mathieu Discour, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mrs Marjaana Sall, and the CEO of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Colonel André Ciseau.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Attorney General Frank Ally, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure, and the Board of Directors of the Seychelles Ports Authority.