Strengthening a strategic partnership with China

President Wavel Ramkalawan recently announced during his second live press conference that Seychelles is set to receive nearly 150 homes from China.

After the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Ramkalawan described the cooperation between Seychelles and China as moving beyond a bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This marks a significant advancement in their collaboration. In addition to this real estate donation, the Seychelles Coast Guard will receive a new ship by the end of this year, designed specifically to handle various maritime security challenges.

President Ramkalawan also addressed environmental concerns surrounding a tourism development project on Assumption Island, which could impact the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the live press conference, he referenced a letter to UNESCO, clarifying that the project follows all necessary procedures.

On tourism, Seychelles has seen a slight increase in visitor numbers, with a 0.07 % rise compared to last year. According to statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics on September 11, a total of 236,265 visitors have arrived in Seychelles so far this year, up from 236,092 in 2023. The President stressed the importance of tourism for the nation’s development and called on all Seychellois to contribute to the industry’s growth.