02.25.10
Posted in Seychelles offshore jurisdiction at 12:30 pm by Robert Klien
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renewed its support to the Seychelles’ Health Department with funding of over USD 1.6 million. This support is expected to strengthen the health system of the jurisdiction.
The support takes the form of a further 2-year working plan, which was handed to Health and Social Development Minister Marie-Pierre Lloyd by WHO liaison officer Dr Cornelia Atsyor. Mrs Lloyd signed the plan in the presence of social development principal secretary Linda William, Health Services Agency chief executive Daniella Larue and Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon. Also, members of the central management team and other health officials were present at the signing at Victoria hospital.
According to the new work plan, the priority areas are communicable and non-communicable disease control, child and adolescent health, sexual reproductive health, and addressing the socio-economic factors affecting health. The plan includes medical products and technologies as well as promotion of healthier lifestyles.
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02.17.10
Posted in Seychelles government at 8:16 pm by Robert Klien
Seychelles’ President James Michel has recently appointed ombudsman. This post became effective from February 15.
The appointment of Dora Zatte followed the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Authority of Seychelles.
Ms Zatte is an attorney-at-law and barrister-at-law who was a notary public as well as legal adviser to the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces. She has an LLB degree in law from the University of East Anglia (UK). Ms Zatte can boast of extensive experience as an attorney, working both in the private sector and in the state counsel – in the Attorney-General’s Office. She has acted as legal adviser to the Seychelles Investment Bureau and has been a member of the boards of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, the National Emergency Foundation, the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority and the High-Level Committee on Piracy.
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02.12.10
Posted in International relations, Seychelles offshore jurisdiction at 2:37 pm by Robert Klien
An information technology centre will be set up in Seychelles in 2011 in order to upgrade the skills of technicians. This news followed an agreement that was signed between Seychelles and India.
On February 11, 2010, Education Minister Bernard Shamlaye and Indian high commissioner Asit Kumar Nag signed the memorandum of understanding. The document was signed at the Ministry of Education’s conference room. At the signing, education principal secretary Jeanne Simeon, Seychelles Institute of Technology director Jean Rassool, representatives of the Information Communications Technology Department and other officials from the Ministry of Education were present.
Mr Shamlaye thanked Mr Nag for help in setting up this centre that is much-needed for Seychelles. Mr Nag said that the project is part of India’s ongoing cooperation to develop Seychelles’ human resources.
Mrs Simeon said that this joint venture between Seychelles and India followed President James Michel’s visit to India in August 2005.
The new centre will provide part-time training for technicians. Later, it will also provide training for IT teachers.
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02.06.10
Posted in Business and Economy at 2:30 pm by Robert Klien
At the International Conference Centre held in the end of February, import agents learned more about customs as well as discussed the ways to improve the relationship between the two sides.
This one-day meeting marked International Customs Day that was celebrated under the theme “Building performance through partnership”.
Seychelles’ revenue commissioner Rene Nusse addressed the air and shipping agents as well as other business representatives, expressing his wish to ensure clients are well informed about the Customs Division and its operatations. He noted that, in order to support the economic reforms, customs is reforming its administration with advice from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) (http://www.imf.org/external/about.htm). He said, “In the months to come we will try to implement these suggestions by the IMF, but what we are trying to do is to increase self-compliance and make it easier and less expensive to comply with the laws”.
At the forum, agents’ representatives asked questions on many issues related to goods and services tax and concessions. Also, they were briefed about the procedures for gaining concessions, import and export permit procedures, and their own responsibilities when producing a bill of entry.
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01.29.10
Posted in International relations, Seychelles government at 8:28 pm by Robert Klien
On January 27, 2010, Seychelles and Oman signed an agreement to develop aquaculture and other fisheries activities here.
The document was signed by the new Omani ambassador, Sheikh Humaid bin Ali al Ma’ani, and Joel Morgan, Seychelles’ Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport.
By signing the memorandum of understanding, Oman and Seychelles have agreed to support each other in fish processing and fishing techniques as well as to cooperate in training staff.
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01.25.10
Posted in Seychelles government at 4:27 pm by Robert Klien
Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton has appointed the new board of the National Arts Council (NAC).
According to the National Arts Council of Seychelles Act, Ambassador Noëllie Alexander has been appointed chairperson.
The other members are as follows:
Jacqueline Moustache-Belle (the chief executive),
Peter Pierre-Louis,
Christine Chetty,
Galen Bresson,
Alain St Ange,
Richard d’Offay,
Pierre Harter
Paquerette Pillay.
The new board has been appointed for 2 years. The appointment is effective from December 15, 2009.
The 1st board meeting was held on January 21.
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01.21.10
Posted in Business and Economy, Seychelles legislation at 4:27 pm by Robert Klien
The newly-formed Fair Trading Commission will look out for practices that hinder competition as well as advise on or take action against them. This was announced by the Commission’s chief executive Daniel Gappy on January 20.
According to Gappy, one of the practices is price fixing for which the Fair Trading Commission can fine or jail guilty traders.
On January 15, the commission’s board members met for the 1st time. At the meeting, the commission’s chairman, Dr Shelton Jolicoeur, said that liberalisation of the market economy can “not only bring fierce and vigorous competition but also some amount of anti-competitive practices as firms jostle for economic advantage”.
Gappy said: “When we receive complaints we will investigate them, and the commission will give a ruling based on its findings”. The commission can impose a fine, a jail sentence or both. The traders can appeal agaist its decision to the tribunal and later at the Supreme Court.
The newly-created body will be fully operational in April2010 as the Fair Competition Act will come into force in April.
The Fair Competition Act is aimed to encourage competition in trade and business as well as in the supply of a wide variety of quality goods and services at competitive prices.
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01.12.10
Posted in Business and Economy at 3:07 pm by Robert Klien
On January 7, Finance Minister Danny Faure said that high investment in modern technology and telecommunications is vital because more businesses come to Seychelles’ shores and the demand for new products increases.
The Minister was speaking after a tour of the Cable & Wireless (C&W) headquarters and telecommunication facilities on Francis Rachel Street, Victoria.
The Minister’s visit was aimed to explain the current tax reforms. Also, this visit was a chance for Mr Faure and officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Information Communications Technology to see themselves the work of the company.
It should be noted that the visit coincided with the tax reform talks held with the Cable & Wireless management. Mr Faure was impressed by the level of development and investment, especially in modern equipment, that the company has made. He said that the company has prepared itself for any future development.
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01.08.10
Posted in Business and Economy at 3:03 pm by Robert Klien
On January 8, 2010, a new service started to makes it easier to apply for and get various kinds of licences in Seychelles.
This advice service is offered by the Seychelles Licensing Authority to businesses and individuals as part of the Authority’s new “one-stop shop” at the revenue commission’s office, Oceangate House.
Also, now the licensing authority staff at Oceangate House will accept payment for the following licences: local fishing vessels;
fishing nets;
coin-operated machines;
hirer of goods;
advertising agent;
carpenter;
commission agent;
mason;
motor mechanic;
repairer of electrical apparatus.
The new service is aimed at cutting the licence procedure to a minimum. Staff of the Seychelles Licensing Authority will accept applications for new licences or renewal of existing ones.
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12.30.09
Posted in Seychelles government at 9:21 pm by Robert Klien
On December 23, Lawyer Francis Chang-Sam, who headed the Constitutional Review Committee, gave a report to President James Michel at State House.
The report consists of 60 pages. The team finished this report 6 months behind schedule because most of the members of the committee have been very busy.
According to Mr Chang-Sam, the Constitutional Review Committee welcomed contributions from the public and received a few. The committee recommended to make its proposals public.
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