The Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Rim (IORA), Mr Salman Al Farisi, met the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, Tuesday, at the State House, in Réduit.
In a statement following the meeting, IORA’s Secretary-General highlighted those discussions focussed on several topics regarding the future of the IORA as well as its response to global issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the blue economy. He also pointed out that Mauritius would be in charge of a working group on tourism which is an important sector for IORA Member States.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that the tourism sector of Mauritius, as well as other IORA Member States such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Africa, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed gratitude to the Mauritian Government as a special stamp will be issued on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the IORA.
It is recalled that during the 21st IORA Council of Ministers Meeting held in hybrid format from Dhaka in Bangladesh on 17 November 2021, the decision was taken by Member States to assign Mr Salman Al Farisi from Indonesia to the post of Secretary-General of the IORA as from 05 January 2022.
Courtesy call to Minister Ganoo
The newly appointed Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Mr Salman Al Farisi, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, yesterday, in Port Louis.
In a statement, Mr Salman Al Farisi said that the meeting was very cordial and that discussions focused on new avenues of cooperation as well as promoting growth in the tourism sector.
He lauded the contribution of Mauritius at the IORA, adding that the country would be in charge of the working group on tourism which would have to come up with an action plan to promote cooperation in that sector.
The Secretary General also underlined that the tourism sector of Mauritius and that of all Member Countries had been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that he looked forward to give a new impetus to the sector with the collaboration of all Members.
