Africa-Press – Seychelles. Seychelles’ lead in the Blue Economy sector recognised
As a leading country in the development of the Blue Economy, Seychelles has been chosen to host the BlueInvest Africa business forum scheduled for next month.
The September 7-8 event, which will take place at the Eden Bleu Hotel, will bring together some 150 investors, entrepreneurs, businessmen from Europe and Africa.
Announcing the event during a press briefing on Friday, the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean François Ferrari, said the forum is being funded by the European Union.
The event, a first for Africa, results from a partnership between the European Union and Seychelles that has put the blue economy at the core of its development.
Both Africa and Europe have identified the blue economy as a key sector to develop their socio-economic aspirations and achieve the different goals of the 2030 Agenda, notably SDG 14 that relates to the sea.
Usually held in Europe, Seychelles has been chosen to host the event due to its ease of access and accommodation for visitors and also because Seychelles is a blue economy champion.
Minister Ferrari stated that Seychelles was offered to host the event and the government has welcomed the opportunity.
“The European investors will meet with the African project developers to discuss their various projects that the 21 or so African developers will pitch,” said Minister Ferrari.
“Participants from Seychelles also applied to pitch and participate in the project but none has been successful to pitch their ideas. Some Seychellois who applied to participate in the event have been successful and will have the opportunity to meet with the foreign investors and business leaders,” he said but noted that the event is not a public one.
“Even though we did not qualify to pitch our projects, we will have the opportunity to meet with the investors here in our country. They can discover what Seychelles has to offer and decide whether to invest in later on in the future.”
The minister also noted that his ministry will have the opportunity to show the participants the aquaculture and developments around the fishing ports.
He said President Wavel Ramkalawan will host a networking event at State House for some 40 or so of the participants from the group.
The minister further added that Seychelles will organise and expect to benefit from a small trade fair that it will be hosting at the Eden Blue Hotel to further showcase its different investment opportunities to potential investors from the group taking part in the forum.
He further highlighted that such a forum will provide a lot of visibility for small Seychelles.
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