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Japan-Seychelles Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

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On August 24, commencing at 3:30 p.m. (for approximately 15 minutes), Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Louis Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles. The overview is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her expectations for further development of bilateral relations through the upgrading of the Embassy of Japan in Seychelles in January this year, and congratulated Seychelles on its appointment as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). Minister Kamikawa also stated that strengthening connectivity, which Seychelles emphasizes as the IOC chair country, is an important theme of this TICAD Ministerial Meeting and is also important from the perspective of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP), which Japan is promoting. She then conveyed her intention to work together with Seychelles as a common maritime nation. In response, Minister Radegonde expressed his gratitude for the support in human resource development and other areas, referring to the favorable bilateral relations.
Minister Kamikawa continued by referring to the efforts of the two countries in maritime security, including friendship training and support for capacity building of maritime law enforcement agencies. In response, Minister Radegonde expressed gratitude for Japan’s cooperation to date, and the two ministers concurred on the recognition that a free and open international order based on the rule of law is essential and they will continue to work together.
The two ministers confirmed that Japan-Seychelles relations will be further developed towards TICAD9 in the coming year.
The two ministers exchanged views on international cooperation in such areas as Security Council reform, the situation in Ukraine, the situation in North Korea, including the abductions issue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Meeting between Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs FUKAZAWA Yoichi and H.E. Ms. Mari-Cruz Evna Andeme, Secretary of State for International Organizations of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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On August 24, commencing at 11:20 a.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. FUKAZAWA Yoichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Mari-Cruz Evna Andeme, Secretary of State for International Organizations of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, visiting Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Fukazawa stated that Japan appointed an Honorary Consul to Malabo for the first time in May this year, and that he expressed his expectation that this appointment would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
In response, H.E. Ms. Evna Andeme expressed her appreciation for Japan’s support to date and her desire to continue favorable bilateral relations.
The two sides confirmed the further deepening of Japan-Equatorial Guinea relations toward TICAD 9 next year.

The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including Security Council reform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Seychelles: Inauguration of “Vilaz Lanmitye” Housing Estate in Port Glaud

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President Wavel Ramkalawan, alongside Minister for Land and Housing, Mr. Billy Rangasamy, presided over the inauguration of the “Vilaz Lanmitye” Housing Estate in Port Glaud yesterday afternoon. The newly completed estate adds six housing units to the 19 already allocated to tenants in March 2022, during the post-COVID-19 recovery period.

The new residents, many of whom are former inhabitants of the area, have actively participated in the Home Savings Scheme (HSS). The project, executed by Allied Builders Company Ltd, was entirely funded by the Government of Seychelles, with a total investment of SCR 29,861,374.06.

The ceremony featured the symbolic handover of keys to the new tenants, marking their official transition into the estate. A commemorative plaque was unveiled by President Ramkalawan and Minister Rangasamy, celebrating this significant milestone in the country’s housing development efforts.

In his address, Minister Rangasamy reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to meeting the housing needs of its citizens and enhancing their quality of life. He called on the new residents to maintain their homes to high standards, setting an example for what “Vilaz Lanmitye” can achieve as a model community within Seychelles.

“It is crucial that we maintain the beauty of this village. This substantial investment by the government requires diligent upkeep to become a model for the nation,” Minister Rangasamy stated.

The ceremony was attended by Member of the National Assembly for the Port Glaud District, Mr. Egbert Aglae, Principal Secretary for Housing, Mr. Jude Florentine, Chief Executive Officer of SIA, Mr. Jitesh Shah, District Administrators, officials from the Ministry of Land and Housing, new residents of Vilaz Lanmitye Estate and other distinguished guests.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Ethiopia faces market losses due to ban on coffee exports to producing countries

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Ethiopia’s coffee industry is grappling with significant market losses following a three-year ban on the export of raw coffee to coffee-producing countries. The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Board implemented this restriction on June 13, 2021, citing the need to maintain competitiveness and ensure that the country’s coffee is marketed alongside its seeds. However, this decision has led to the disappearance of key markets, including India, for Ethiopian coffee producers.

A recent study revealed that the ban has caused producers to lose access to vital export markets, negatively impacting their livelihoods. Ethiopia, which is home to over one million refugees and asylum seekers, has a long-standing tradition of coffee cultivation, but the restrictions have limited the ability of farmers to sell their products internationally.

In response to these challenges, the Embassy of India in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, released a joint market research report on August 19, 2024. The report outlines opportunities for exporting various agricultural products, including oilseeds, pulses, cotton, precious stones, and coffee from Ethiopia to India.

The report emphasizes the need for Ethiopia to address challenges in its agricultural export sector, particularly in the coffee industry. It highlights the importance of improving farming practices, investing in infrastructure, and focusing on marketing efforts to enhance the quality and marketability of Ethiopian coffee.

Ethiopia has historically supplied raw coffee to countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia. However, the lack of prior notification or agreements regarding seed matching has hindered Ethiopia’s competitiveness in the global market. The study suggests that by improving farming practices and investing in infrastructure, Ethiopia can boost the quality of its coffee and increase its market benefits.

The global demand for specialty and sustainable coffee presents a significant opportunity for Ethiopian coffee to establish a strong position in international markets. Experts believe that strategic partnerships, government support, and effective promotion will be essential to realizing this potential and ensuring that Ethiopian coffee is respected and sought after globally.

Stakeholders in the coffee industry have emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of Ethiopian coffee to meet the stringent requirements of the Indian market. They have identified challenges such as limited access to international markets, lack of market information, and inflation as major obstacles to growth.

Girma Amente, Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, noted that bilateral trade with India reached $2.8 billion in 2022, indicating a strong partnership. However, he emphasized that exports to India, totaling $80 million, are crucial for growth.

The report provides an extensive analysis of Ethiopia’s production and export landscape for key agricultural products, including coffee. It also outlines the government’s updated agricultural policy, which aims to improve productivity, strengthen value chains, and expand market access for farmers and producers.

Anil Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, reiterated his commitment to promoting and facilitating bilateral trade, highlighting the need for collaboration to address the challenges faced by Ethiopian coffee exporters.

As Ethiopia navigates the complexities of the coffee export market, the focus remains on enhancing the quality of its coffee, improving market access, and ensuring that the benefits of trade are shared among all stakeholders in the coffee industry.