Seychelles to benefit from SR 100 Million Grant from Japanese Government in support of Marine Security efforts

Tokyo, Japan: The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Danny Faure held bilateral talks with the Japanese Prime Minister H.E Mr. Shinzo Abe this morning.

Discussions between the two leaders were centred on past and potential future areas of cooperation between Seychelles and Japan based on mutual interests of the two nations and its peoples.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our two countries have developed strong bonds of friendship and have enhanced collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels," said President Faure

“Seychelles is very grateful for all the past support provided by Japan in fields such as environment, disaster risk management, education and fisheries.

"We now thank you for announcing this new assistance to us in the field of Maritime Security through a 800 million Yen grant.

"To complement this and to reinforce our long term cooperation, we also express our sincere appreciation to your government for accepting to support us with specialised training and technical capacity building in anti-narcotics policing to further strengthen our capacity in maritime security, an area that will greatly benefit the people of Seychelles in our fight against drug trafficking and boost our maritime security and safety capabilities,” added President Faure.

The Japan-Seychelles Maritime Security grant Project will include the building of required infrastructure; re-construction of the Seychelles Marine Police/Anti-Narcotics Police Headquarters, various Specialised Marine Unit Operation equipment, as well as High Speed Patrol Boats.

On his part, the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E Mr Abe reiterated the Japanese Government’s commitment towards deepening collaboration between Seychelles and Japan and raised the possibility of strengthening and diversifying partnerships with Seychelles in new areas of cooperation such as tourism.

The two leaders also discussed the possibility of attracting Japanese companies in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Seychelles.

President Faure also thanked Prime Minister Abe for the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in Seychelles and presented his congratulations to Japan for winning the bid to host Expo 2025.

Editor’s note:

Seychelles and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1976.