China has donated $11 million to Seychelles to help with the islandic nation’s renewable energy projects.
The agreement was signed on Saturday by Seychelles’ Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.
The grant is part of an agreement which was signed on Saturday at State House between Seychelles and China, represented by their State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who was in the island nation on an official visit.
Joubert told the press that the project will have different components that have to do with renewable energy. He said some of the projects are off-grid, adding that another component of the project is to install solar panels on public buildings such as state schools, which will reduce their energy consumption.
Joubert said that discussion has also focused on other engagements that China has towards countries like Seychelles – 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean.
Wang Yi is on a five-nation tour to Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles.
Seychelles Foreign Minister, Sylvestre Radegonde, said Wang Yi’s visit is partly to show solidarity towards Seychelles, which is also struggling with the coronavirus (COVID-19)pandemic.
A direct flight from China to Seychelles was also discussed.
“More than a million tourists are travelling every year to different countries around the world. Just next door to us, Maldives, receives around 300,000 Chinese every year. The only advantage is that Maldives has a direct flight with China,” said Radegonde.