AGP Executive Report

China–Seychelles Trade Deal: China will remove tariffs on all imports from Seychelles, granting zero-tariff treatment on 100% of Seychelles-covered tariff lines under a signed early harvest arrangement, while Seychelles commits to further market opening. Tourism Recovery: Seychelles says July and August visitor arrivals are above last year, with tourism earnings up 4.7% and average stays edging up to 9.4 nights, led by growth from Russia and improving demand in Africa and emerging markets. Air Connectivity Boost: Qatar Airways expands its 2026–27 winter network to 170+ destinations, increasing frequencies and resuming services including a planned rise in Seychelles flights to seven weekly from March 1, 2027. Wellness & Hospitality: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolls out refreshed spa wellness medical screenings using non-invasive biometric analysis, paired with personalised multi-day programmes. Regional Security Watch: Seychelles is flagged as exposed to renewed Somali piracy and emerging threats along key shipping routes, a concern for maritime trade and tourism. Education & Skills Context: A global snapshot shows women now lead tertiary enrolment in most countries, with implications for future labour and skills pipelines.

Seychelles–China Trade: China will remove tariffs on all imports from Seychelles, with zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles-covered tariff lines under an early-harvest economic partnership, while Seychelles is set to further open its market to China. Aviation & Tourism: Qatar Airways says its 2026-27 winter network will reach 170+ destinations, including expanded connectivity to Seychelles and more Africa flights via Doha. Local Tourism Diplomacy: Dr Alain St.Ange pushes a broader way to measure tourism—beyond arrivals—framing it as people-to-people diplomacy. Finance & Business Links: Seychelles Finance Minister Pierre Laporte highlights China’s services-trade growth at CIFTIS, pointing to opportunities for smaller economies like Seychelles in AI, fintech and digital innovation. Travel Access for Seychellois: Canada’s eTA route is flagged for Seychellois citizens as an alternative to a traditional visitor visa when meeting eligibility conditions. Wellness Hospitality: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolls out biometric wellness medical screenings and personalised multi-day programmes. Crypto Regulation Watch: Offshore crypto casinos are shifting jurisdictions as Curaçao tightens rules, raising questions for users about deposits and withdrawals.

Trade & Tariffs: China and Seychelles signed an “early harvest” arrangement: China will apply zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles’ tariff lines, while Seychelles will further open its market to Chinese goods. Tourism & Diplomacy: Dr Alain St.Ange urged delegates to measure tourism beyond arrivals, framing it as a bridge that reshapes how nations see each other. Aviation & Connectivity: Qatar Airways’ 2026-27 winter plan targets 170+ destinations and 186+ weekly flights, with expanded links including Seychelles. Finance & Regulation: Kenya’s competition watchdog approved Asahi’s acquisition of Diageo’s EABL stake, but with conditions to protect rivals and retail refrigeration space. Business Travel Links: IndiGo will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from 20 November, citing stronger trade, tourism and education ties. Wellness Hospitality: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolled out biometric wellness medical screenings and personalised multi-day programmes. Crypto Compliance: Curaçao’s tighter rules are pushing offshore crypto casinos to smaller jurisdictions like Anjouan, raising questions for users on withdrawals and oversight.

Trade & Tariffs: China and Seychelles signed an early harvest arrangement on zero tariffs, with China granting zero-tariff treatment on 100% of Seychelles’ tariff lines while Seychelles further opens its market to Chinese goods. Tourism Diplomacy: Dr Alain St.Ange urged the world to measure tourism beyond arrivals, arguing it can act as “a bridge between nations” through everyday human connection. Finance & Services: Seychelles Finance Minister Pierre Laporte praised China’s services-trade push at CIFTIS, pointing to opportunities for smaller economies through AI, fintech and digital innovation. Aviation Connectivity: Qatar Airways announced winter 2026-27 network growth to 170+ destinations, including resumed daily Zanzibar flights from Oct 25 and expanded links to Seychelles. Regulatory Deal (Regional): Kenya’s competition watchdog approved Asahi’s acquisition of Diageo’s EABL stake, with conditions on liabilities and refrigeration space for rival brands. Business Travel Boost: IndiGo will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from Nov 20, citing stronger trade, tourism and education links with East Africa. Local Hospitality: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolled out refreshed wellness medical screenings and multi-day personalised programmes. Mobility Watch: South Korea, the UK and New Zealand continue expanding electronic travel authorisations, with Seychelles repeatedly appearing on simplified-entry lists.

CAF Football: Green Mamba’s Confederation Cup hopes ended in Angola as Agosto advanced 4-0 on aggregate, with the tie’s group-stage jackpot of about E6.4m now out of reach. Tourism Diplomacy: Seychelles Ambassador-at-Large Dr Alain St.Ange told delegates at Oxford that tourism should be measured beyond arrivals, as a bridge that builds peace and changes how nations see each other. Luxury Wellness: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolled out biometric-based Wellness Medical Screenings and personalised multi-day programmes, aiming to shift spa stays from treatment menus to longer, data-led journeys. Air Connectivity: Qatar Airways announced Winter 2026-27 network growth to 170+ destinations, including resumed daily Zanzibar flights from Oct 25 and expanded services touching Seychelles. Regional Travel Links: IndiGo will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from Nov 20, positioning the route to support trade, tourism and education between India and East Africa. Visa Rules Watch: Thailand’s 60-day visa-free entry ends Sept 15, replaced by a 30-day stay with a paid extension option; Canada’s eTA route is highlighted for Seychelles citizens travelling by air. Maritime Security: Puntland President Deni warned pirates will be fought aggressively, while Mogadishu passed an anti-piracy and anti-kidnapping bill.

Visa & Travel Access: Seychelles is among the small set of African countries eligible for South Korea’s K-ETA instead of a visa, alongside Mauritius, Morocco and others—another sign of how digital entry rules are reshaping travel planning for business and tourism. Air Connectivity: Qatar Airways says it will expand to more than 170 destinations in the 2026-27 winter season, including increased services to Seychelles, while IndiGo will add daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from 20 November, boosting trade and tourism links between India and East Africa. Tourism Demand Signals: Expedia reports island travel searches up sharply in 2026, with Praslin in the Seychelles among the fastest-rising destinations. Local Hospitality Upgrade: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island has launched refreshed spa and wellness offerings built around non-invasive biometric wellness medical screenings and personalised multi-day programmes. Maritime Security & Reputation: Seychelles is mentioned in coverage of renewed Somali piracy concerns along key shipping routes, as regional authorities push anti-piracy measures to protect investment and trade. Financial Services: FP Markets secured a UAE Capital Market Authority Category 5 licence, adding to its multi-jurisdiction regulatory footprint.

Tourism & Travel Demand: Expedia reports island getaways are surging in 2026, with Praslin (Seychelles) up 80% year-on-year in flight searches, reinforcing Seychelles’ pull beyond classic beach tourism. Aviation Connectivity: IndiGo will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from 20 November, adding direct links to East Africa and citing trade, investment, tourism and education ties; it also notes existing direct services to Nairobi, Mauritius and Seychelles. Local Business & Hospitality: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is upgrading its spa with a 60-minute non-invasive Wellness Medical Screening using biometric data to build personalised multi-day programmes. Maritime Security: Seychelles is flagged as concerned by renewed Somali piracy and emerging threats along key shipping routes, a direct risk to regional trade flows. Finance & Markets (Global): Zoomex expands Stock Perpetuals and launches ZWTC 2026 with a prize pool up to USDT 5 million, while FP Markets secures a UAE CMA Category 5 licence—both signals of continued growth in cross-border financial services. Culture & Business Links: “Under One Sun” opens in Victoria, featuring Russian and Seychellois plein-air works tied to Seychelles–Russia independence and diplomatic milestones.

Aviation & Trade Links: IndiGo will launch daily nonstop flights between Mumbai and Dar es Salaam from 20 November 2026, positioning Tanzania as a key East Africa gateway for business, tourism and education (route details and daily schedule released). Travel Policy Watch: New Zealand’s visa waiver now covers about 60 countries via an NZeTA, with Mauritius and Seychelles among the few African inclusions. UK Entry Rules: The UK published an ETA list for 82 countries and named only Mauritius and Seychelles as the two African nations eligible for ETA entry. Maritime Security for Seychelles: Seychelles flagged renewed Somali piracy risks and emerging threats along key shipping routes, underlining pressure on regional trade and insurance. Fisheries Compliance: Mauritius approved amendments to its fisheries electronic reporting system to curb IUU fishing, tightening repair timelines and preventing trips when ERS units are down. Fintech & Payments: Seychelles featured in a global central bank discussion on CBDCs, stablecoins and tokenised deposits, focusing on cross-border payment sovereignty. Tourism & Local Value: A Seychelles tourism piece urges visitors to spend more time exploring Victoria beyond the usual landmarks. Markets & Trading: Zoomex expands its Stock Perpetuals offering and launches ZWTC 2026 with a prize pool up to 5 million USDT. Health & Skills: Seychelles joined an international nursing leadership programme in India supported under the ITEC framework.

Seychelles Tourism Outlook: STB highlights a stronger, more resilient path for Seychelles tourism, as the destination continues to position itself for steady visitor demand. Cruise & Trade Links: Variety Cruises is hiring a new National Business Development Manager for Australia & New Zealand, aiming to convert rising demand into longer-term distribution growth across FIT, groups, charters and special-interest travel. Digital Money Policy: A Seychelles-linked panel at the Global Fintech Festival discussed how CBDCs, stablecoins and tokenised deposits could affect monetary and payment sovereignty, with focus on cross-border risks. Financial Services Licensing: FP Markets secured a UAE Capital Market Authority Category 5 licence, expanding its regulated footprint in the Emirates. Trading Platforms: Zoomex expanded its Stock Perpetuals product with more US and global equities, trading via USDT and designed for continuous, leveraged access. Regional Aviation Governance: Mauritius will set up a National Aviation Council to review air access policy from a wider economic perspective. Blue Economy & Fisheries Compliance: Mauritius amended fisheries electronic reporting rules to curb IUU fishing, tightening repair and verification requirements for ERS units. Health & Safety: A Seychelles Hospital ICU update follows a serious scooter crash involving Australian tennis coach Tim Horpinitch, fighting for life after life-threatening injuries. Public Health Training: Seychelles is among 50 senior nursing leaders from 27 countries taking part in an MEA-supported international capacity-building programme at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual Marketing Meeting at Eden Bleu, saying 2026 is showing recovery momentum after Middle East disruptions, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also coming from China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey; STB outlined a 2027 shift from strategy-setting to implementation and performance measurement. Digital Money & Policy: At the Global Fintech Festival, Reserve Bank of India’s Barendra Kumar Bhoi told a panel with central banks including Seychelles that CBDCs, stablecoins and tokenised deposits could strain monetary sovereignty most in cross-border transactions, where digital money moves faster between jurisdictions. Offshore Wealth Rules: Richard Grasby (Appleby Hong Kong) discussed China’s July 2026 offshore trust rules, warning that “tax-free accumulation” is no longer the default and that reporting and tax charges can arise with residence changes and certain succession events. Local Governance: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay faced National Assembly questions on housing finance, clarifying there is no “Special Housing Loan” under HFC—only a “Special Housing Scheme” for vulnerable groups. Markets & Finance: Zoomex expanded its Stock Perpetuals product with more than 30 US and global equities, while Octrado launched a proprietary trading model “Your Skill. Our Capital” offering profit splits up to 90% and account sizes up to USD 100,000. Regional Aviation: Mauritius plans a National Aviation Council to review air access policy, with the body reporting directly to the prime minister and considering proposals such as Etihad’s interest in serving Mauritius. Business Risk & Compliance: FiveComply highlighted its licensing and compliance expansion across Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius and Seychelles, focusing on Forex/CFD, crypto, payment and EMI licensing. Trade & Food Safety: Taiwan rejected US frozen beef tongue shipments after parasite tests, placing the importer under stricter batch-by-batch inspections.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and setting a 2027 shift toward strategy implementation after a tough first half driven by Middle East disruptions; arrivals gained momentum in July and August, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also coming from China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Digital Finance & Trading: Zoomex expanded its Stock Perpetuals offering, adding 30+ US and global equities across four categories, with contracts margined and settled in USDT and trading running around the clock. Regulatory Licensing: FiveComply outlined its global licensing push, saying it has supported 300+ licences and expanded local expertise across Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius and Seychelles. Bilateral Cooperation: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal in Riyadh to discuss boosting economic and tourism ties. Travel Rules Impacting Visitors: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15 for 60 nationalities, while Mauritius and Seychelles get a separate 15-day tier. Maritime Skills: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training for blue economy demand, adding ship design and shipbuilding courses. Food Safety: Taiwan rejected US frozen beef tongue shipments after parasite detections, ordering returns or destruction and tightening inspections.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and pushing market diversification to build resilience after Middle East disruptions, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also seen in China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Seychelles Business & Finance: Margex has opened its public affiliate programme, moving from invite-only and offering scaled revshare (40%–50%), a median $250 EPM benchmark, daily crypto payouts and real-time partner analytics. Seychelles in Global Aviation: IndiGo says it will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights in November, adding a key East Africa link that also positions the airline’s broader Africa network including Mauritius and Seychelles. Local Economy & Jobs: FiveComply, with operations across Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius and Seychelles, says it has secured 300+ licences and is expanding its licensing and compliance support for forex/CFD, crypto and payment institutions. Regional Policy Impact: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15 (tourism only) and give Seychelles and Mauritius a separate 15-day exemption, while tightening visa-on-arrival access. Trade & Food Safety: Taiwan rejected two US frozen beef tongue shipments after parasite detection, ordering returns or destruction and tightening importer inspections; the same border checks also flagged a frozen fish shipment from Seychelles.

Seychelles Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting in Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and pushing market diversification after disruptions in the Middle East, with July and August showing a rebound led by Russia and gains from China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Regional Trade & Payments: AfCFTA and Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal, with Seychelles set to host the headquarters in Victoria and support a more interoperable payments and commodities exchange system to cut the cost of intra-African trade. Bilateral Energy Security: IndianOil and Mauritius agreed a five-year fuel supply arrangement covering petrol, diesel, marine gas oil and aviation fuel, aimed at long-term supply certainty and price stability for an island economy that imports all petroleum. Visa Rules Affecting Visitors: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15, while Seychelles and Mauritius get a separate 15-day exemption—an update likely to reshape travel planning for the region. Aviation Links: IndiGo plans daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights in November, adding a second continental Africa destination and strengthening its East Africa network. Maritime Skills Push: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training, including ship design and shipbuilding courses, to meet demand from blue economy investment.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and pushing a 2027 shift from strategy-setting to implementation, after a tough first half linked to Middle East disruptions; arrivals gained momentum in July and August, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also coming from China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Seychelles Policy & Finance: Seychelles plans a new social infrastructure fund focused on health, education and infrastructure, with governance designed to protect public resources from political interference; the fund is set to start next year after laws and staffing are put in place. AfCFTA Digital Trade: The AfCFTA Secretariat and Ghana’s Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal, with Seychelles set to host the headquarters, aiming to cut the high cost of intra-African payments and improve trade infrastructure. Regional Travel Rules (Thailand): Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15 for 60 countries, while Seychelles and Mauritius get a separate 15-day tier—an update that could affect tourism planning across the region. Aviation Link: IndiGo says it will launch daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights in November, adding a second continental Africa destination and strengthening its East Africa network. Maritime Skills (Tanzania): Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training, adding ship design and shipbuilding courses as investment in Tanzania’s blue economy grows. Business & Governance (Seychelles): A Seychelles-related residence-permit item notes conditions foreigners must meet before getting residency.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual Marketing Meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and setting a 2027 shift toward implementation, with visitor arrivals gaining momentum in July and August after Middle East disruptions; Russia led the rebound, while China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey showed positive growth. Seychelles–Saudi Ties: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss boosting bilateral cooperation, including economic and tourism partnerships. Digital Trade for Africa: AfCFTA and Ghana’s Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal to cut cross-border transaction costs, build a digital marketplace and interoperable payments, with Seychelles set to host the venture’s headquarters in Victoria. Seychelles Residence Rules: Seychelles lists three conditions foreigners must meet before getting a residence permit, signalling tighter entry and compliance expectations. Tourism Policy Watch: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15, while Seychelles and Mauritius get a separate 15-day exemption—important for regional travel planning. Cruise Tourism: Seabourn opened bookings for its 138-day 2029 world cruise, with Praslin in Seychelles among the itinerary highlights.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance and setting a 2027 shift toward implementation, after a tough first half linked to Middle East disruptions; visitor momentum picked up in July and August, with Russia leading the rebound, while China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey showed positive growth. Seychelles Finance: Finance Minister Pierre Laporte says Seychelles plans a new fund focused on health, education and infrastructure, with scarce public resources protected and private sector participation allowed; the fund is set to start next year under an independent governance model to limit political interference. Seychelles–Gulf Diplomacy: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, including economic and tourism partnerships. Regional Travel Rules: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from September 15 for 60 countries, while Seychelles and Mauritius get a separate 15-day exemption—an update that could reshape regional tourism planning. Aviation & Connectivity: IndiGo plans daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from November, adding a second continental Africa destination and strengthening links that include Seychelles and Mauritius. Digital Trade for Africa: AfCFTA and Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal, with Seychelles set to host the venture’s headquarters in Victoria. Blue Economy Skills: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training for ship design and shipbuilding as blue economy investment grows.