Today, on July 27, 2023, Vasily Golubev, Governor of the Rostov region, and Sylvester Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles, discussed interaction between the region and the island country in various spheres. The meeting took place in St. Petersburg as part of the "Russia-Africa" Forum.
At the meeting, Vasily Golubev and Sylvester Radegonde exchanged updated information on the trade and economic cooperation between the parties, discussed the prospects for interaction of the Don region and Seychelles in scientific, educational and humanitarian fields.
According to the Donland Governor, there are ample opportunities for partnership. There is a considerable potential for development of bilateral collaboration.
“Our close cooperation with the Republic of Seychelles started after the last Summit in 2019. It is worth noting that the Rostov region is the only Russian region having such an extensive interaction with Seychelles. And we intend to develop contacts. It is also important that people go there to spend their vacation and to travel. We also have opportunities for joint efforts in economy, the scientific and educational field. Our relations have strong prospects,” said Vasily Golubev.
At their meeting the parties discussed the potential for trade and economic cooperation in deliveries of grain, oils, mineral fertilizers, components and equipment for agro-industrial complex, purchase of seafood and spices.
Besides, it is important to promote coordinated actions in the humanitarian sphere. More than 8 thousand foreign students attend educational institutions in the Rostov region, among them about 1,000 citizens of forty two African countries. Last year the parties signed a cooperation agreement with the Don State Technical University. The partners are keen on increasing the exchange of students and faculty members of the university, partnership in the sphere of scientific research.
“I am glad to tell that our relations will develop. The Seychelles and Rostov-on-Don have a long-established system of relations. In 2021, Rostov-on-Don became a twin city of the capital of Seychelles – Victoria. And today we take another step to strengthening our friendship. We are enthusiastic about implementing some joint educational programs, youth exchanges, including practical training for students of the Rostov higher education institutions. In particular, we propose to arrange an on-the-job training for students of the said institutions with the companies engaged in the hotels business on the Seychelles,” – offered Sylvester Radegonde.
The Governor supported the proposals. Vasily Golubev also considers tourism development as one of the promising areas of partnership between the Rostov region and Seychelles.
Sylvester Radegonde emphasized that last year more than 30 thousand Russians visited the country, and as of the end of July of this year the number of tourists from Russia has already exceeded 21 thousand.