Q Seychelles strategic geographical position is near some of the largest global economies. What are the prospects and opportunities in Seychelles for investors in India and globally?
Ans- Seychelles is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and is well positioned to provide connectivity between Asia and Africa. With the advent of India’s Look East Policy Seychelles is uniquely placed to serve as a hub for trade and investment in the region.
Seychelles has taken several steps to promote the country as a centre for trade and investment. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of the Seychelles International Financial Services Center which provides a range of financial services to international clients and is positioned as a hub for investment in Africa.
Seychelles is also focused on expanding its economic base beyond tourism and fisheries. To this end, the government has prioritized the development of several sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, blue economy, information technology, etc. In addition, the government is committed to enhancing the ease of doing business in Seychelles, creating a more investor-friendly environment.
There are several prospects and opportunities in Seychelles for investors from India and globally, such as: Seychelles is known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. opportunities exist in the tourism sector.
Renewable energy: Seychelles has abundant solar and wind energy potential and is keen to attract investment in this sector. The government has implemented several policies and incentives to encourage investment in this field.
Seychelles has a thriving fishing industry, and there are ample opportunities for investment in such as aquaculture and value-added processing.
ICT and digital services: Seychelles is developing its ICT infrastructure. There are opportunities to establish IT etc in Seychelles, and to leverage the country’s advantageous time zone for serving international clients.
Overall, Seychelles is committed to creating a conducive environment for investors and is open to exploring partnerships with Indian and global investors in various sectors. No doubt such partnerships will help to drive our economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to our overall development objectives.
Q The pandemic has been particularly harsh on the tourism industry. How is the Post-Covid development getting ready to receive tourists?
Ans- The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed had a significant impact on the Seychelles tourism industry, which is one of the country’s main sources of revenue.
The Seychelles government has thus taken several steps to boost the industry since the reopening of our borders in March 2021. That step was possible as result of many factors including the good gesture of India to provide us with a significant quantity of covid vaccine. Once again our appreciation goes to India.
The government has been actively promoting the destination to international markets to help build confidence among travelers and encourage bookings. The Seychelles Tourism Board has launched several marketing campaigns targeted at key markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, highlighting the safety measures in place and the unique Seychelles experience.
In addition, the government has been working with local stakeholders in the tourism industry to provide training and support to help businesses adapt to the new normal. This includes training in areas such as sustainable tourism practices, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
As for post-COVID development, the government has been implementing a range of measures and is exploring new tourism products and experiences that are aligned with the changing needs and preferences of travelers, such as sustainable tourism, wellness tourism, adventure tourism and Lospitalite programme Overall, the government of Seychelles is taking a proactive and strategic approach to building a sustainable tourism industry that is resilient to future challenges and provides long-term economic benefits for the country
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has also launched a range of marketing campaigns to promote the destination and encourage bookings. The campaigns are targeting traditional markets such as Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, as well as newer markets such as China and India. The STB has emphasized the unique features and attractions of Seychelles, such as its pristine beaches, nature reserves, and cultural heritage, as well as the safety measures in place.
Alao the government initially provided support to the tourism industry in terms of financial and technical assistance. The government provided assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector.
Overall, the Seychelles government is taking a comprehensive and proactive approach to address the challenges faced by the tourism industry due to the pandemic. It is working in close collaboration with industry stakeholders to implement measures to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors, promote the destination, and support long-term tourism development.
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