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.
Permalink
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.
Permalink
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.
Permalink
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.
Permalink
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.
Permalink
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.
Permalink
12.26.09
Posted in International relations, Seychelles government at 8:02 pm by Robert Klien
On December 19, 2009, the Seychelles government said that a new USD 31 million loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would support the 2nd wave of reforms on the heavily indebted Indian Ocean archipelago.
IMF approved the loan and cancelled an existing 2-year standby arrangement (SBA) for USD 26 million which had a year outstanding.
According to Finance Minister Danny Faure, the new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) would kick in immediately. He said: “The EFF will bring funds of $31 million to support our medium term reform strategy which is looking at debt restructuring, public sector reform and preserving the macroeconomic stabilisation”.
The Indian Ocean archipelago launched an exchange offer on the USD 230 million bond and 3 other debt instruments aimed to help place it on a more sustainable footing.
It should not be neglected that the impact of the global crisis and decades of unsustainable spending had left Seychelles close to collapse. It is expected that in 2009 the tourism-driven economy will contract by 7.5% before re-bounding to 4% in 2010.
According to Central Bank Governor Pierre Laporte, disciplined monetary policy and aggressive cuts in government spending had stabilised the economy faster than had been predicted.
It should be noted that Seychelles’ external debt topped USD 800 million at the beginning of 2009.
Permalink
12.22.09
Posted in International relations, Seychelles government at 6:49 pm by Robert Klien
On December 22, 2009, it was announced that the Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement for military cooperation.
The agreement was signed on December 21 by Seychelles’ Minister of Environment Joel Morgan and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visiting Minister of Seychelles and expressed his praising of the progressive ties of friendship and cooperation between the countries.
The agreement provides for promotion and facilitation of military cooperation between the Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates in various fields.
Permalink
12.13.09
Posted in Seychelles government, Seychelles legislation at 6:42 pm by Robert Klien
The Seychelles’ Ministry of Finance has announced that the rate of trades tax on commercial and specialised vehicles will remain unchanged in 2010. It will be 25% and 0% respectively, but the tax on buses will be 5%.
When announcing the 2010 Budget Address in the beginning of December, Minister for Finance Danny Faure said that, as from January 1, 2010, rates of trades tax on passenger motor vehicles will be reduced across the board from between 75% and 225% to 25%.
Also, an excise tax will be introduced to offset some of these trades tax reductions.
It should be noted that the decision on taxes is in line with the government’s intention to bring Seychelles’ tax regulations up to international standards.
Permalink
12.09.09
Posted in Seychelles government at 12:33 pm by Robert Klien
On December 9, Seychelles for the 1st time celebrated the International Anti-Corruption Day.
Though the United Nations took up the fight against corruption long ago, and its special day was initiated in 2003, the Public Officers’ Ethics Commission in Seychelles came into force only in 2008. The Commission organised the event.
The commission’s chief executive Lekha Nair has joined the battle against corruption with the help of the Commonwealth a 1-day symposium held at Le Méridien Barbarons Hotel. This event was aimed to shed light on anti-corruption strategies.
According to Nair, the new commission is playing a role as a political watchdog, so anti-corruption strategies will be pointed out. Law-enforcement agencies, policing and monitoring units, and oversight institutions such as the judiciary, as well as members of the National Assembly will attend the symposium.
Permalink
« Previous entries