“We look forward for stronger diplomatic relationship with India and move towards an equitable and just international order.”
World Bank recently announced to open a new office in Seychelles, how do you see this in deepening the developmental partnership framework between the World Bank and Republic of Seychelles?
Seychelles has enjoyed a remarkably good relationship with both the World Bank and the IMF. This relationship had developed on the back of common and shared goals of Seychelles and the World Bank. The World Bank was formed as a multilateral institution with an aim to unite governments in their fight against reducing poverty around the world. World Bank has effectively assisted Seychelles, especially 2008 onwards when major economic reforms were introduced with the support of the IMF and the World Bank. They have been key partners in ensuring technical assistance for example, in assessing poverty and realistic economic situation and offering the best of the solutions to the challenges that we face. World Bank has been instrumental in identifying and fixing the loopholes in our system by assisting us in accessing best established norms and practices from across the globe to counter such challenges successfully. Therefore, the World Bank stands as a very important partner for Seychelles, which has consistently worked with us over the years. I believe that that deepening of our relationship is going to help us tremendously.
The Department of Information Communications Technology introduced SeyID, a digital identity for the citizens of Seychelles, how has the response to the initiative been so far?
Seychelles has been on an upward digital trajectory ever since we were connected with high-speed internet to the rest of the world in 2012. SeyID is one step further towards moving the digital transformation agenda. This ID is a means via which one can access banking and other services like securing a license, online money transfer etc. simply using their phone. We’ve started off by having all government officers, senior government officers, including ministers having a SeyID which can be used to send documents digitally. It’s all part of the digital transformation we are pushing ahead. We are now piloting a project where citizens can apply for their driving license using their SeyID. It is a dynamic field with constant changes and new technologies coming in. We want to stay ahead of the curve as far as we can by adapting to the latest changes in this field.
The government of Seychelles has strived hard to initiate multiple developmental programmes for the betterment of the citizens of Seychelles. Can you highlight some of the latest such decision approved by the National Cabinet in line with the same spirit?
The government of Seychelles has always been focused on development program for its citizens but one particular program which emphasizes our partnership with our citizens is the Open Government Partnership. It is a multilateral international initiative started in the United States in 2011 with some major industrial countries a part of it including Seychelles now. Open Government Partnership puts the focus on the fact governments are open to their own people and seek participation from them in decision making process. So, we have come up with our program for the next three years which essentially shall ensure more transparency in the government. In line with the same we have also launched a transparency initiative in one of our biggest sectors of economy i.e. Fisheries. The Fisheries Transparency Initiative shall seek to make fisheries industry more transparent and open to public with regards to the functioning and economic outcomes from the industry. These initiatives are also closely linked with our developmental partnership with the World Bank and the IMF. We have been pursuing an agenda of good governance to ensure that the whole government is transparent and operates on the principles of good governance. Hence, we need to equip our citizens with rights to question those in power. Therefore, we have Access to Information Act, which gives all citizens the right to get information. The commitment of the government for a transparency is reflected by the fact that Seychelles ranks as one of the top performing countries on the anti-corruption index as far as Africa is concerned even ahead of the United States.
2023 ended on a bilateral high note of co-operation, with India agreeing to assist Seychelles with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology. How important do you feel this technological co-operation shall be?
This partnership is yet another step towards digitalisation by the government of Seychelles. India owing to its sheer economic size is an important player in terms of financial transactions undertaken globally. Seychelles intends to integrate into global financial framework by providing the infrastructure and stability for being a destination to route important financial transactions. Therefore, having access to UPI technology, as successfully developed by India we just stand to benefit by it. The access to UPI technology shall serve as a boost to bilateral trade and commerce between India and Seychelles as well. The banking sector too stands to be benefited by it and lead to better financial integration of the citizens. However, the most important and direct benefit of it shall be for our tourism industry. It will enable tourists to make real-time payments using their mobile phones and make their experience in Seychelles more comfortable.
In your long-chequered career as a high-ranking government official to multiple public offices such as that of the Vice President of Seychelles now, how has your experience been in serving your nation in such multi-dimensional capacities over the years?
It’s been a humbling experience and a privilege to be able to serve your own people in multiple positions over the years. I feel extremely grateful to be able for contributing towards our country’s stability and development. It is a matter of great satisfaction to see my actions making a difference in people’s lives for good despite the challenges such as wars, climate change etc. that tend to hamper our efforts. Seychelles contributes only a small fraction of global carbon emissions but is affected disproportionately by the effect of these emissions in the form of climate change. I feel a sense of responsibility in channelising my past experiences to contribute towards the betterment of my country and its citizens.
The roots of bilateral partnership between India and Seychelles go back to year 1770, with the arrival of a bunch of Indian workers in Seychelles. How do you look back at the evolution of this now centuries old relations?
Seychelles was under colonial rule for major part of its history ever since its discovery in 1609. Its initial population consisted of some European settlers and African and Indian workers, who settled on one of the islands close to Mahe, the island of St Anne. This was followed by a struggle between Britain and France for the control of our islands with ultimate British control in 1810. Finally in 1976 Seychelles emerged as a newly independent sovereign nation. In this long history of ours Indian constantly played an important role in shaping our society. Indians mainly migrated to Seychelles as traders and workers alike initially. However, it was the traders who dominated the migrant community eventually. This community of Indian migrants is well-integrated into Seychelles society and has blended with the local culture. They are viewed as a part of Seychelles and have lived peacefully over the years. In-fact their presence is testimony of the fact that how Seychelles has been open to immigrants from far and wide. We have successfully built a harmonious society with people from different and varied cultures co-existing peacefully. These values go hand-in hand with our close partner India’s own civilizational values. A country as diverse as India has much to offer for learning to not only Seychelles but the world at large. We really seek deepening of our bilateral ties and relationship with India.
Seychelles has been home to a sizeable population with Indian roots. In your opinion, how has this demographic make-up of Seychelles served as a tool to foster closer diplomatic ties?
Indian community is well-integrated within the Seychellois society and it has contributed significantly towards fostering closer diplomatic ties between the two countries over the decades. The active presence of Indian community has always given a positive edge to our bilateral relationship. It must be noted that Indians have much to their credit in terms of their contribution to Seychellois society. One of the key aspects is their role in trade and commerce across our country. Their entrepreneurial skill-sets coupled with extreme hard and zeal has made Indians a very valuable asset to our country. Their flourishing trade ventures contribute to job-creation and overall prosperity of our society. There for, I am of the view that the demographic composition as it is today will only add momentum to ever- grown Indo-Seychellois relations.
June 29, 2024 shall mark the 48th Independence Day of Seychelles, how is this day usually celebrated across your nation?
Independence Day is a day of reflection and celebrating our achievement for our nation. The day is usually marked by a National Day Parade showcasing our achievements such as defence capabilities etc. followed by a demonstration by our young citizens, celebratory fireworks and an address to the nation by the President. This day serves as an important reminder of our long and cherished heritage of over half a century now as an independent state. We take immense pride in the fact that despite our comparatively smaller size than most nations we been able to stand as an independent and equal voice on the international fora such as the United Nations. Our own unique cultural identity and all-around development is a significant achievement of our existence as an independent state. We have developed and nurtured our institutions and have achieved considerable economic progress too. However, our greatest achievement is our political and economic stability. We have used our independent voice to contribute towards a conflict-free and prosperous global order for our future generations. In the same spirit we seek a just and equitable share in the global economic development. Due to our high per capita income, we are often left out for easier access to developmental aide. Other nations with similar demographic realities are offered funds for infrastructural development such as airports, ports etc on much relaxed terms then us. However, our per capita income levels that qualify us as a developed nation come at a huge input cost. These costs for infrastructure and other development need to be funded to us as well considering our limited resources as a small nation.
Would you like to give any message to our Envoy Excellency readers?
India and Seychelles have shared a close relationship preceding even our modern nation-states. Our relationship stretches back to the 18th century and continues to flourish as we move ahead in the 21st century. We value our bilateral partnership with India and hold Indian community in Seychelles in high regard as it continues to flourish. We look forward for stronger diplomatic relationship with India and move towards an equitable and just international order.