SEYCHELLES Welcomes ASEAN Centre

To mark the New Year 2012, Mr. Nico Barito, Special Envoy of Seychelles to ASEAN conducted a courtesy call to Secretary General of ASEAN `Association of the South East Asia Nations` Dr.Surin Pitsuwan. In his opening remarks, Mr.Barito convey the best wishes from The President of Seychelles for all ASEAN member countries for the prosperous New Year 2012 and highly commends and congratulate His Excellency Dr.Surin Pitsuwan for the recent successfully concluded ASEAN Summit in Bali December 2011.
Special Envoy of Seychelles to ASEAN expressed its highest consideration to the Secretary General of ASEAN for inviting Seychelles to take part in the recent ASEAN Connectivity Forum. During this forum Mr,Barito has highlighted the objectives, which draw the attention of ASEAN in the scope of elimination the gap within boundary zone, responsible fishery and coherence of coastal societies, combating piracy, eco-marine tourism and Seychelles international offshore investment and how it may facilitate the ASEAN Connectivity. During the meeting, Seychelles reaffirm its commitments to convene ASEAN Connectivity initiative through reciprocal consultative views of ideas that may develop reciprocal ties between ASEAN - SEYCHELLES and beyond to AFRICA and to the neighboring Small Island Developing States in the Indian Ocean.
Both ASEAN Secretary General, Dr.Surin and Seychelles Envoy to ASEAN Mr. Nico underline the significant values for ASEAN to expand dialogue with counterparts from Africa, whereas Seychelles put forward the option to co-host ASEAN Centre in Seychelles to socialize and accelerate the collaboration between ASEAN member countries and its businesses with counterparts from Africa.
Secretary General of ASEAN also highlighted that there are sumptuous growth of ASEAN travelers; whereas Seychelles may benefit from the ASEAN travelers group who are in search of niche destination. Special Envoy of ASEAN added that there are ASEAN investors and ASEAN communities who are already engaged in the Seychelles hospitality industry. Such cultural diversify services will of no doubt attain to the ASEAN travelers and Mr.Barito also invites the active role of ASEAN creative industry and related hospitality sectors to collaborate with Seychelles small medium businesses to identify a new modalities of gif items. Another areas to bring closer ties is through the exchange of youth, sport, culture and culinary.
To start this good intention between ASEAN and Seychelles, the Secretary General of ASEAN is proposing the nominated ASEAN Centre in Seychelles to focus on three main sectors namely Youth Exchange, Tourism, and Business Network.