AGP Executive Report

Tourism Connectivity: Condor confirmed its year-round weekly nonstop Frankfurt–Seychelles service, ending a seasonal gap and restoring continuous direct access to the German hub. Fisheries Value & Sustainability: Seychelles is seeking deeper cooperation with India to boost landed tuna revenues and strengthen post-harvest management, including higher-value products from fish residues and seaweed, plus vessel standards and training. Coastal Protection: SPGA wrapped a week-long capacity programme on scientific and socio-economic monitoring for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project. Aviation Policy: Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties opened submissions on air services agreements with Oman and Seychelles, with trade and tourism benefits under review. Trade & Travel Deals: dnata Travel Group signed 12 partnership agreements at ATM 2026, expanding hotel distribution, cruise holidays, hospitality and travel technology. Maritime Environment: New reporting highlights plastic and fishing gear washing onto Seychelles shores, with Aldabra alone estimated at 500+ tonnes and cleanup costs running into millions. Business Data: Worldbox expanded its global database to 500 million businesses across 240+ jurisdictions, aimed at faster business verification. Crypto Promotions: Zoomex opened registration for ZWTC 2026 Squad Competition (prize pool up to 2.5m USDT) and relaunched a zero-fee TradFi campaign with up to 100 USDT in trading fee rebates.

UK Travel Rules: Mauritius and Seychelles citizens are generally visa-exempt for short UK visits, but both are covered by the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, meaning travellers still need an ETA before departure. Seychelles Tourism & Air Access: Condor will run its Frankfurt–Seychelles route year-round, ending a seasonal gap and restoring continuous direct connectivity. Regional Tourism Shock: Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Seychelles face fresh disruption as Middle East tensions trigger airspace closures, cancellations and longer, costlier routes. ATM 2026 Deal-Making: Emirates wrapped Arabian Travel Market 2026 with 30+ partnerships across 16 countries and unveiled an electrically powered Premium Economy seat. Seychelles–India Fisheries Push: Seychelles reached out to India to deepen cooperation on tuna processing, value-add opportunities and fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Trade & Compliance: Thailand cut its visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days and added a 15-day category for Seychelles and Mauritius. Maritime Environment: New research flags heavy plastic and fishing-gear wash-up on Seychelles beaches, with cleanup costs estimated at millions. Finance & Markets: Seychelles-licensed Baazex launched a “Explore More. Trade Smarter” campaign promoting zero commissions and broader instrument access.

UK Travel Rules: Mauritius and Seychelles citizens are visa-exempt for short UK visits, but both are still covered by the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, meaning travellers generally must secure an ETA before flying. Tourism Shock: Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Seychelles are bracing for disruption as Middle East airspace closures and flight cancellations ripple into Indian Ocean travel, with longer routes and higher fares likely. Emirates & Seychelles Tourism: Emirates wrapped Arabian Travel Market 2026 with 30+ tourism partnerships and unveiled an electrically powered Premium Economy seat, while also renewing/adding deals that support visitor flows relevant to Seychelles’ tourism push. Seychelles-India Fisheries Push: Seychelles reached out to India to deepen cooperation on landed tuna processing, aquaculture and post-harvest upgrades, including data-sharing for monitoring and surveillance. Maritime Environment: New reporting highlights tons of fishing gear and plastic washing up on Seychelles beaches, with research pointing to likely sources in and near Seychelles waters—raising cleanup and ecosystem costs. Indian Ocean Security: A policy discussion flags grey-zone maritime activity in the region and the limits of current awareness and patrol systems. Finance & Markets: Seychelles-linked currency news shows the Seychellois rupee leading African gains against the US dollar in September, while global fintech promotions continue to target traders with fee-free campaigns and ETF-linked derivatives.

Seychelles-India Fisheries Push: Seychelles reached out to India to deepen cooperation on tuna processing and aquaculture, including investment in the tuna value chain, higher-value products from residues and seaweed, and better fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Tourism Partnerships at ATM 2026: Emirates wrapped Arabian Travel Market 2026 with 30+ tourism deals and renewed ties including a Seychelles Tourism Board partnership, as the airline also showcased an electric Premium Economy seat and expanded network links. Maritime Security Watch: A new look at Indian Ocean maritime security flags “grey-zone” activity tied to Chinese research vessels and AUVs, arguing current mechanisms struggle to respond when intentions are unclear. Port Performance Benchmark: The World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index placed Djibouti, Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam at the top in the region, with Seychelles’ Port Victoria ranked 287 globally. Plastic and Fishing Gear Crisis: Research points to large-scale plastic and lost fishing gear washing onto Seychelles beaches, with cleanup costs estimated at millions and major risks to tourism and fisheries. Crypto Market Moves (Seychelles-linked firms): Zoomex, licensed in Seychelles, relaunched zero-fee TradFi campaigns and expanded ETF-linked perpetuals and long-term prediction markets ahead of the Fed decision. Regional Currency Signal: The Seychellois rupee led African gains in September, appreciating against the US dollar while Kenya’s shilling stayed broadly flat.

Maritime Security: A new report warns Indian Ocean grey-zone activity is rising as Chinese research vessels, underwater gliders and distant-water fleets operate with ambiguous intent and sometimes switch off AIS, creating a response dilemma for littoral states. Seychelles-India Fisheries Push: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and strengthen post-harvest management, including investment in tuna processing, residue value-add, seaweed, vessel standards and fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Tourism & Air Links: Emirates renewed and signed multiple tourism partnerships at ATM 2026, including a renewed Seychelles Tourism Board deal, as the airline also showcased an electrically powered Premium Economy seat. Trade & Travel Policy: Thailand cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 to 30 days from 15 September and added a 15-day category for Seychelles and Mauritius, while tightening land-entry rules. Currency Watch: Seychelles’ rupee led African gains in September, while Kenya’s shilling edged down slightly after a KSh 21b weekly fall in forex reserves. Ports Benchmark: A World Bank ranking put Seychelles’ Port Victoria at 287 globally, as Djibouti and Mogadishu led the East and Horn of Africa region. Environment & Costs: Research highlights massive plastic and fishing-gear wash-ups in Seychelles, estimating Aldabra Atoll has over 500 tonnes of plastic and cleanup could cost about US$4.68m. Crypto Litigation: Celsius’ bankruptcy estate sued BitMEX in New York for about $495m over March 2020 liquidations, naming entities linked across multiple jurisdictions including Seychelles.

Seychelles-India Fisheries Push: Seychelles reached out to India to deepen cooperation on landed tuna revenues and post-harvest management, including investment in tuna processing, product diversification, fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance, and higher-value outputs from processing residues and seaweed. Tourism Partnerships at ATM: Emirates wrapped Arabian Travel Market 2026 with 30+ tourism deals across 16 countries, renewing key links such as Seychelles Tourism Board, and highlighting new route and network momentum. Seychelles Tourism Connectivity Theme: At ATM 2026, Seychelles’ tourism minister joined regional talks stressing aviation infrastructure, digital connectivity, and contingency planning to protect demand during disruptions. Port Performance Watch: A World Bank ranking put Djibouti, Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam at the top in East and Horn of Africa port performance, with Seychelles’ Port Victoria listed at rank 287. Maritime Environment Alert: Research highlights tons of plastic and fishing gear washing onto Seychelles beaches, warning of major ecosystem damage and costly clean-ups, with evidence pointing to pollution from vessels near Seychelles waters. Crypto/Finance Spillover: Celsius’ bankruptcy estate sued BitMEX for about $495m over March 2020 Bitcoin liquidations, naming multiple BitMEX-linked entities including one with Seychelles links. Currency Moves: The Seychellois rupee led African currencies in September 2026, gaining 6.44% against the US dollar. Energy Access Debate: A new analysis argues Africa’s electricity challenge is shifting from just connections to reliable, affordable, productive power—an issue with direct business impact.

Seychelles–India Fisheries Push: Seychelles reached out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and strengthen post-harvest management, with talks on tuna processing investment, product diversification, and fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Tourism Partnerships: Emirates wrapped ATM 2026 with 30+ tourism deals across 16 countries, renewing its Seychelles Tourism Board partnership and highlighting a new electrically powered Premium Economy seat. Tourism Trade in France: Seychelles is back at IFTM Top Resa in Paris to deepen ties with French and European trade partners and sell more routes. Maritime Environment Warning: New research says vast plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with cleanup costs running into millions and most pollution likely linked to vessels operating near Seychelles waters. Connectivity for Recovery: Seychelles officials joined ATM discussions on strengthening aviation infrastructure and digital coordination to keep travel resilient during disruptions. Crypto Legal Shock: Celsius’s bankruptcy estate sued BitMEX in New York for about $495m over March 2020 liquidations, naming Seychelles-linked BitMEX entities. Currency Watch: The Seychellois rupee led African gains in September 2026, appreciating about 6.44% versus the US dollar.

Seychelles Tourism Push: Seychelles is ramping up its Middle East visibility at Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, led by Tourism Minister Amanda Bernstein and the Seychelles Tourism Board, with meetings aimed at new business and deeper GCC ties. Strategic Air Links: Emirates renewed its tourism partnership with Seychelles as arrivals near 400,000, extending a MoU that boosts joint marketing, media fam trips and trade engagement, backed by twice-daily Dubai–Mahé flights. French Market Focus: Seychelles also showcased its offer at IFTM Top Resa in Paris to strengthen relationships with European trade partners. Marine Pollution Crisis: New research says vast plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with cleanup costs estimated at US$4.68m and 18,000 labour hours, and findings pointing to much of the pollution coming from vessels in or near Seychelles waters. Nuclear-Free Policy: Comoros and Seychelles’ accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is framed as a practical security model for the Indian Ocean region. Crypto Legal Shock: Celsius’s bankruptcy estate sued BitMEX in New York for $495m over March 2020 liquidations, naming BitMEX-linked entities including Seychelles-based firms. Connectivity Talk: ATM 2026 panels stressed aviation infrastructure, data sharing and contingency planning for a faster post-conflict travel rebound. Visa Policy Watch: Thailand tightened entry rules from Sept 15, cutting visa-free stays and removing access for some nationalities, with knock-on effects for regional travel demand.

Seychelles Tourism Push: Seychelles is back in the French market at IFTM Top Resa in Paris, aiming to deepen trade ties and boost visibility with tour operators and airlines. GCC & Middle East Focus: At Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, Seychelles Tourism Minister Amanda Bernstein and partners stressed that demand is still strong but depends on route availability, frequency and connectivity—while calling for better aviation infrastructure and data-informed contingency planning. Emirates Partnership: Emirates renewed its strategic tourism MoU with the Seychelles Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism, extending joint marketing and familiarisation trips as arrivals near 400,000 and 2025 visitor numbers rose 13% year-on-year. Crypto Legal Shock: Celsius’s bankruptcy estate filed a US lawsuit against BitMEX entities—including Seychelles-linked firms—seeking recovery of 6,360 BTC (about $495m) over alleged wrongful liquidations during the March 2020 Bitcoin crash, ahead of BitMEX’s planned Sept 23 shutdown. Maritime Security Tech: Experts at an Africa defence conference argued drones can act as lower-cost force multipliers for offshore surveillance, though regulation and training costs remain hurdles. Business & Travel Policy Watch: Thailand tightened entry rules from Sept 15, cutting visa-free stays and Visa on Arrival access, a reminder that travel demand can swing quickly with policy changes.

Seychelles Tourism Push: Seychelles is doubling down on the Gulf at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, with the Seychelles Tourism Board putting the GCC at the centre of a high-value, sustainable tourism strategy and highlighting how Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi act as aviation bridges into wider markets. Emirates–Seychelles Partnership: Emirates renewed its strategic tourism MoU with the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture at ATM, extending a partnership dating back to 2013 and building on near-400,000 visitor arrivals in 2025. Connectivity Focus: At ATM, Seychelles’ tourism minister joined regional policymakers and industry leaders arguing that aviation infrastructure and better data-led decision-making are key to a post-conflict travel rebound. Crypto Court Fight: Celsius’ bankruptcy estate has sued BitMEX in New York seeking the return of 6,360.17 BTC (about $495m) tied to March 2020 liquidations, naming BitMEX-linked entities including Seychelles-based HDR Global Trading. Visa Policy Watch: Thailand has tightened entry rules from Sept 15, cutting visa-free stays for many nationalities to 30 days, while the UK set new salary thresholds for an Expansion Worker visa.

Seychelles Tourism Push at ATM 2026: Seychelles is ramping up its Middle East and GCC strategy at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, with the Seychelles Tourism Board leading meetings with airlines and trade partners to build new business opportunities and deepen Gulf partnerships. Emirates Partnership Renewed: Emirates has renewed its strategic tourism MoU with the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, extending a deal first signed in 2013 and backing joint marketing and familiarisation trips as arrivals near 400,000. Connectivity Focus for Recovery: At ATM 2026, Seychelles’ tourism minister joined regional leaders stressing that stronger aviation infrastructure and better data-led decision-making are key to post-conflict connectivity and faster tourism rebounds. Qatar Airways Boost to Seychelles: Qatar Airways says it will increase Seychelles capacity to seven weekly flights from 1 March 2027, expanding access for global travellers. Crypto Legal Shock: Celsius Network’s US bankruptcy lawsuit targets BitMex-linked companies, including BitMex entities in Seychelles, alleging wrongful liquidations and market manipulation in March 2020. Trading Awards: FP Markets won three Global Forex Awards 2026 distinctions, including Best Value Broker globally and Most Transparent Broker in Asia and Latam.

Tourism & Aviation: Seychelles is ramping up its Middle East push at Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, with Tourism Minister Amanda Bernstein leading meetings with airlines and trade partners to deepen GCC links and drive higher-value arrivals. Air Connectivity: Emirates renewed its strategic tourism partnership with the Seychelles Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism and Culture as visitor numbers near 400,000, building on twice-daily Dubai–Mahé service and joint marketing plus familiarisation trips. GCC Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board says around six in 10 international visitors reach the islands via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, and is placing the GCC at the centre of its sustainable tourism growth plan. Regional Travel Deals: Emirates also signed/renewed seven tourism agreements at ATM 2026 covering Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Sharjah, Malaysia, Finland and Western Norway, alongside renewals with Huawei and Dubai Duty Free. Trade & Economy: China and Seychelles agreed on zero tariffs for 100% of Seychelles’ tariff lines, with Seychelles opening its market further to China under a new economic partnership. Business Services: Seychelles Inc. topped a pricing comparison of company formation agents, standing out for matching its first-year and renewal fees at US$850.

Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board is putting the GCC at the centre of its high-value, sustainable growth plan at ATM 2026, banking on Gulf connectivity via Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, with a renewed push beyond “luxury beach” marketing. Air Connectivity: Emirates kicked off ATM 2026 with seven tourism MoUs and renewed its Seychelles Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism and Culture partnership (dating to 2013), citing 13% visitor growth in 2025 to nearly 400,000 and maintaining two daily flights to Mahé. Regional Deals: Emirates also renewed/expanded ties across Mauritius, Madagascar, Sharjah, Malaysia, Finland and Western Norway, while Qatar Airways said it will lift Seychelles capacity from four to seven weekly flights from 1 March 2027. Trade & Tariffs: China and Seychelles signed an early harvest arrangement: Beijing will introduce zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles tariff lines, while Seychelles further opens its market to China. Business Services: A Seychelles company-formation price comparison found Seychelles Inc. ranked top on published pricing, with a single all-in US$850 first-year fee and the same renewal figure. Crypto Market: CoinEx will wind down its exchange from Sept 15 and fully cease by Dec 22, with withdrawals continuing through the shutdown period.

Airline Partnerships for Seychelles: Emirates kicked off Arabian Travel Market 2026 by signing/renewing tourism MoUs with seven destinations, including the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, aiming to boost inbound traffic through joint marketing and familiarisation trips; Emirates says Seychelles arrivals rose 13% to nearly 400,000 in 2025, while it operates two daily flights to Mahé. Network Expansion to Seychelles: Qatar Airways also announced winter 2026-27 growth, increasing Seychelles services from four to seven weekly flights from 1 March 2027, alongside resumed and higher frequencies across Africa and other regions. China–Seychelles Trade Push: China and Seychelles signed an early harvest arrangement, with China pledging zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles tariff lines while Seychelles further opens its market to Chinese goods. Tourism Policy Talk: Dr Alain St.Ange urged the world to measure tourism beyond arrivals, framing it as a bridge between nations and a form of human exchange. Digital Trading Update: Excent Capital launched a redesigned website to align its online presence with its proprietary trading platform. Visa Rules Affect Travellers: Thailand ends its 60-day visa exemption on 15 September, cutting stays for Mauritius and Seychelles to 15 days.

Seychelles-China Trade: China and Seychelles signed an early harvest arrangement on zero tariffs, with China offering zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles tariff lines while Seychelles further opens its market to Chinese goods. Seychelles Tourism Recovery: Seychelles reported improving demand, with July and August visitor arrivals ahead of last year and tourism earnings up 4.7%, as Russia-led growth continues and emerging markets add momentum. Air Connectivity Boost: Qatar Airways says it will expand to 170+ destinations in the 2026-27 winter season, including increasing Seychelles services from four to seven weekly flights from March 1, 2027—good news for both tourism and business travel. Hospitality Growth in the Region: STORY Hospitality will showcase its next phase at ATM 2026, highlighting early results from its STORY DISCOVERY loyalty programme and ongoing refurbishment plans for The H Dubai. BRICS Security Training: A BRICS AML/CFT training programme concluded at Rashtriya Raksha University, with Seychelles’ High Commissioner to India among key speakers. Travel Policy Watch: Thailand’s 60-day visa-free border stamps end on Sept 15, shifting eligible travellers to a 30-day stay with an extension option.

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.