The outgoing Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Seychelles, Mrs Roxane de Bilderling, paid a farewell call on President Danny Faure at State House this morning, at the end of her tenure in office based in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Faure expressed his sincere appreciation for the work concluded by Ambassador de Bilderling during her tenure, which he said has reinforced the cooperation between Seychelles and Belgium. Mr Faure assured continued support to her successor and noted that the two countries will continue to pave new avenues of cooperation.

"On behalf of the Seychelles' government, I would like to thank you for all your dedication and devotion toward the promotion of our bilateral relations, which have also cemented the diplomatic ties that our two countries share. I wish you good health and success in your future endeavours," said the President.

During the meeting, President Faure and Ambassador de Bilderling reviewed the progress made in various bilateral areas between Belgium and Seychelles, such as in the fight against piracy, marine resources management, and tourism among others. They also spoke on the prospect of cooperation in areas of common interest in the future, such as in trade and investment, and in building strong institutions in Seychelles through proper capacity building to support Seychelles as it develops.

Speaking to the local press after the meeting, Ambassador de Bilderling said that her priority before she leaves office is to promote more trade and investment between Belgium and Seychelles.

"We have some Belgians who have invested here and they are doing well. Seychelles offers a strong legal framework where investment can prosper, and there's a lot more that can be done. So, I am going to meet with officials at the Seychelles Investment Board to see the priorities of sectors in which investment can be done. We are two port nations, and in Belgium we have one of the biggest European ports, so I am going to find further avenues of cooperation which may be possible," said Ambassador de Bilderling.

Ambassador Roxane de Bilderling was accompanied on her farewell visit to State House by Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Xavier Heinen. Also present was the Foreign Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Claude Morel, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Callixte D'offay, and First Secretary, International Relations Division, Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Christian Faure.