SEYCHELLES NEWS IN BRIEF

NEW NGO LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE SOUND MENTAL HEALTH

First Lady Named Patron

FIRST lady, Nathalie Michel is the Patron of a new organization aimed at promoting sound mental health among the population.
This new non-governmental organization (NGO), which was launched on Saturday 13th of October, 2007, at the Coco d’Or Hotel, Beau Vallon, is still in its infancy and a chairperson is yet to be named.

ILE AURORE PROJECT TO GENERATE 400 MILLION EUROS IN FDI
THE biggest investment project ever to be undertaken in the country, the Ile Aurore project, will generate an estimated 400 million Euros in foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country during its development phase.
This was revealed by the Minister for National Development Jacquelin Dugasse in the National Assembly on Tuesday 2nd October 2007, in a statement detailing the 13 million Euros (R10.4 billion) project on the reclaimed island off La Retraite.
When completed by the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012, the Ile Aurore Project will comprise an 18-hole golf course, 144 luxury villas, 90 condominiums, a casino, a five-star hotel and a waterfront marina.
All constructions and operations of the facilities on the island will be undertaken and managed by Aurore Nouvelle Seychelles, a company registered and based in Seychelles.

62ND SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Foreign Affairs Minister Addresses U.N. Assembly
THE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patrick Pillay on Tuesday 2nd October, 2007, delivered a statement on behalf of President James Michel at the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Minister Pillay was accompanied by Seychelles Permanent Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Ronny Jumeau.

AIR SEYCHELLES HOSTS REGIONAL SECURITY MANAGEMENT TRAINING
AIR SEYCHELLES’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Captain David Savy, had called upon African airlines to embark upon and set up quality security management systems in their respective airlines, to enable them to efficiently respond to major crises that may arise.
Captain Savy was speaking at the official opening on Monday 1st October, 2007, of a five-day training course in Security Management Systems (SEMS), sponsored by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and hosted by the Training Academy of Air Seychelles.

SEYCHELLES - UNESCO
Ambassador Claude Morel Accredited
SEYCHELLES’ Ambassador in Paris, Mr Claude Morel, presented his Letters and Credentials from President James Michel to the Director General of UNESCO, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, accredited him as Permanent Delegate to the U.N. organization.
According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was an occasion to review cooperation between Seychelles and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

SEYCHELLES, SWEDEN NARROW TIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE
THE Special Advisor to President James Michel, Dr Rolph Payet, was granted a special audience with His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, to discuss climate change issues, in particular the Sea Level Rise Foundation, as well as the Seychelles University and knowledge.
This meeting followed the very close relationship that Seychelles had enjoyed with Sweden over the last 15 years in areas of environment, climate change and ocean issues.

BRIGADIER PAYET ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO TANZANIA
THE Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Leopold Payet, was on an official visit to the United Republic of Tanzania from 14th to 21st October, 2007. This was Brigadier Payet’s first official visit to Tanzania as the Chief of Defence Forces.
This visit was aimed at strengthening the extensive relations bet-ween the two countries and is in line with President James Michel’s statement for the Government to engage in “active diplomacy.”