02.07.07
NEPC fights for economic growth
On January 31, 2007, Members of the National Economic Planning Council (NEPC) met under the chairmanship of President James Michel to look for ways to remove obstacles that trouble the increasing economic growth impetus.
The meeting is the 3rd on the NEPC calendar which starts in September and has eight meetings scheduled annually, and the 1st meeting in 2007. The meeting included 3 presentations.
The Council is sure that the economy is set to continue growing rapidly.
According to the Council’s secretary, Caroline Abel, the fisheries and tourism are sectors to grow very rapidly. Also, households are increasing in numbers. The Internet connectivity and financial services were also discussed at the meeting.
The 1st presentation was made by the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) responding to issues raised at the last National Economic Planning Council meeting which suggested future electricity supply capacity to be analyzed as the economy becomes more dynamic.
The 2nd presentation by the principal secretary for International Relations, Vivianne Fock-Tave, discussed on the economic partnership agreements with the European Union with regard to the Cotonou agreement. The agreement giving the ACP countries accession privileges into the EU market is coming to an end this year. According to the Council’s secretary, there is a new system being negotiated with the EU.
The 3rd presentation on the strategy on the vision was presented by President Michel. The presentation discussed the future of the Seychelles in the next 5-10 years. Over the last 30 years the economy has grown in a particular direction. Now, given the new momentum, the Seychellois government is looking at where the sources of growth will be.