SEYCHELLES REALITY

More than 31,450 French travellers visited the Seychelles since the beginning of the year.   Thus, from 1 January to the end of the third week of December 2014, on the 217,630 tourists which visited the Seychelles, travellers from France were left behind only by German visitors who were on their side over 35,020 tourists who visited the archipelago.   As a reminder, 230,272 tourists visited the Seychelles in 2013. Countries origin                 Number of visitors Germany                             35027 France                                  31452 Italy    ...

Le 18 août 2014, le corps sans vie du Mauricien Harmon Chellen, une figure importante du tourisme de l’Ile Maurice, est retrouvé en mer aux Seychelles. Quelques jours plus tard, Lindley Couronne, Directeur de DIS-MOI publie une tribune qui souligne les aspects incohérents de cette affaire qu’il juge suspecte. L’article fait énormément de bruit à l’Ile Maurice et est aujourd’hui un de ceux qui ont été le plus consulté sur notre site. Le 28 août, Lindley Couronne publie une nouvelle tribune dans le journal Le Mauricien  où il parle des suites de l’enquête et des réactions des citoyens après son premier billet. Aujourd’hui, il reprend la plume dans le journal L’Express  de l’Ile Maurice : nous reproduisons ici ses propos. Acculé par la pression citoyenne régionale, l’État des Seychelles, par l’intermédiaire de l’Attorney General de l’archipel, réclame désormais une enquête judiciaire. Requête que nous saluons. Toutefois, la vigilance reste plus que ...

19/12/14 09:15, Bishkek – 24.kg news agency,  Following the takeover of AsiaUniversalBank (AUB) by the Kyrgyz Interim Government in April 2010 an investigation was launched into the money laundering and balance sheet fixing schemes of the bank.  The Kyrgyz Republic's Attorney General's Office is still mulling over tons of corporate documents and payment orders of the AUB multi-billion dollar payment flow.  Some episodes already resulted in criminal convictions: Michael Nadel, the main owner of AUB, was convicted on 22 nd October 2014 by Pervomaisky Court of Bishkek for embezzling millions from AUB and dressing up its accounts using offshore companies, to hide the embezzlement. In 2011, long before the criminal sentence was given, the laundering and embezzlement episodes were subject to a public investigation by Global Witness, an NGO covering financial crime and related themes. In its report titled «Grave Secrec...

Seychelles Agrees Tax Policy Focus With IMF Over the three-year term of the newly-agreed USD17.8m Extended Fund Facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Seychelles' fiscal policy framework will be dictated by the Government's target of reducing public debt below 50 percent (from 65 percent) of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2018. The IMF reminded the Seychelles Government that "fiscal policy faces negative pressures, as revenue and grants have been falling as a proportion of GDP, and current spending has been rising in the face of pent up spending demands." The IMF said the Government will need to "carry out wide-ranging structural reforms necessary to support improvement in macroeconomic conditions, lock-in [fiscal] stabilization, and reduce the country's vulnerabilities." The IMF said that, although the Government's 2013 fiscal position was on-budget, tax revenue pressures have emerged. Business and income tax ...

By Hajira Amla Victoria — The Bank of Muscat International Offshore (BMIO) in Seychelles is facing re-structuring by the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS). The reserve bank took control of the locally-registered BMIO in November following the breakdown of the latter's foreign correspondent banking relationship the month before, and announced the news of BMIO's re-organisation in a press statement issued on Friday. "CBS has throughout been working closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in an attempt to address the issues faced by BMIO," read the statement. "Following negotiations, CBS has been successful in re-establishing correspondent banking relationship for BMIO which has allowed for some transfers to be effected thus far." BMIO's lack of banking representatives overseas had left the bank unable to process outward foreign currency transfers for its clientele, with clients abroad unable to perform transfers or deposits...

Seychelles has priced itself out of the global tourism market mainly due to excessive government taxes levied on persons and businesses. Taxes used for shoring up the Social Security and the extravagant pension schemes. Millions of rupees wasted on official government travel, liked going to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix, stupid stuff that has turned Seychelles into one of the most expensive places to spend your vacation. But that is not all.Air Seychelles was run into the ground then sold to the Arabs after years of bankruptcy and carrying not much more than the Air Seychelles logo painted on its tail. The Arabs now run it like a real airline by hopping from node to node and trying to fill their planes with a rapid dwindling population of tourists and cargo headed for Seychelles. Outward appearances not withstanding including those tall and glitzy empty buildings, the UAE is still a lopsided one primary raw material economy. It's survival depends on the vagaries on the global...

Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:32am GMT VICTORIA Dec 13 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said Seychelles' economy will grow at 2.8 percent this year, lower than its initial forecast of 3.7 percent, due to weaker demand for the country's main exports. The Indian Ocean archipelago relies on exports of canned tuna and its tourism business for hard currency earnings. A surge in imports, driven by better incomes and access to credit, had put further pressure on the exchange rate, which weakened 11 percent between August and October this year, the IMF said in a statement seen by Reuters on Saturday. It said the central bank's decision to tighten the reserve money target for the fourth quarter will dampen the inflationary effects of the currency's depreciation. The IMF approved the disbursement of $2.4 million to Seychelles, part of a an extended credit facility in June this year, it said in the ...

Boris Johnson should settle a six-figure tax bill in the US, the American ambassador indicated yesterday. The London Mayor, who was born in New York and has dual citizenship, revealed last month that he is being pursued by the US tax authorities over profits made on the sale of a home in London. American citizens are required to pay taxes on income over a certain level, even if the money is already taxed abroad. Mr Johnson described the demand as ‘incredible’, and suggested he would not pay. But US Ambassador Matthew Barzun indicated that Mr Johnson should settle up. Speaking to journalists in Westminster, he refused to be drawn on the details of the London Mayor’s case. But he said: ‘We have our rules and we expect people to play by them. 'If you get the benefits of being an American citizen you pay your fair share in taxes.’ The disputed tax bill is believed to relate to the sale of Mr Johnson’s first home in London. He is reported to have bought the pro...

Fewer Europeans are planning to go away for a summer holiday as economic austerity bites, a new study shows, with levels of foreign vacation travel at their lowest for eight years. No more than 54 percent of Europeans are planning to get away for summer holiday this year, according to the Ipsos-Europ Assistance "holiday barometer" published Thursday. Europ Assistance Group CEO Martin Vial said there was "a clear correlation between the intensity of the slump and holiday intentions". Unsurprisingly the countries with the highest unemployment rates were the worst hit. "The scope of the crisis in Spain and Italy is particularly visible in departure plans," the report said, with fewer than one in two Spaniards planning to leave on holiday this summer and little more than half of Italians. Due to "less tense" economic and social situations the departure plans for Germans and Au...

Corruption is a problem for all economies, requiring leading financial centres in the EU and US to act together with fast-growing economies to stop the corrupt from getting away with it, anti-corruption group Transparency International said today. In the 20 th edition of the Corruption Perceptions Index, scores for China (with a score of 36 out of 100), Turkey (45) and Angola (19) were among the biggest fallers with a drop of 4 or 5 points, despite average economic growth of more than 4 per cent over the last four years. Click here for the full index. “The 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that economic growth is undermined and efforts to stop corruption fade when leaders and high level officials abuse power to appropriate public funds for personal gain,” said José Ugaz, the chair of Transparency International. “Corrupt officials smuggle ill-gotten assets into safe havens through offshore companies with absolute impunity,” Ugaz added. “Countries at the bottom ...

HERE'S A GUY WHO PROBABLY THINKS THE SEYCHELLOIS PEOPLE SUDDENLY SHOWED UP AT PORT VICTORIA .. AS IF BY DIVINE INTERVENTION .. THE SKIES OPENED UP .. MORMON TABERNACLE WAS PLAYING "THE MESSIAH" .. LORD AND BEHOLD .. VOILA .. HE DROPPED A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON THE BEACH .. THE "SEYCHELLOIS" WERE BORN .. IS THAT WHAT U THINK MISTER? WELL I HAVE NEWS FOR U .. IN CASE U NEVER READ THE HISTORY OF UR OWN COUNTRY .. IF UR SCARED OF FOREIGNERS? HOW R U GOING TO SURVIVE IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS? THERE'S NO PLACE FOR XENOPHOBIC PEOPLE LIKE U .. THAT RACINE "CRAP" MAY BE OK IN PLACES LIKE BOSNIA .. BUT NOT IN SEYCHELLES .. UR TOO SMALL FOR THAT KIND OF STUFF .. UR DIVIDE AND RULE MESSAGE BELONGS IN A DIFFERENT ERA U PROBABLY THINK THE SEYCHELLOIS PEOPLE R REALLY STUPID DON'T U? THAT THEY WOULD FALL FOR THAT KIND OF UNADULTERATED CRAP? U MUST BE LIVING IN UR OWN LITTLE DISNEY WORLD .. TON MANCHAM UNIFED THE SEYCHELLES AND TOOK IT...

The year 2014 proved to be unexpectedly more challenging for tourism in the Seychelles than anticipated, as the archipelago’s tourism marketers had optimistically projected a 3 percent growth over their record breaking year of 2013, when new arrival records were set. For much of 2014 did arrival figure lag behind those of the previous year, and only a strong performance in December will make it possible to match last year’s record, with even money at present if it is slightly over or under that yardstick. Insider information from several sides though also confirms that revenues per passenger were down compared to previous years, posing yet another challenge for the marketing team, which only yesterday provided some key data from the 2014 arrival statistics. It is apparent from those stats that Britain, for long in the top five, is no longer even in the top six, having been pushed down the ranks by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and China, the latter showing one o...

Safety and security Crime Most visits to Seychelles are trouble free, but tourists have been robbed. Crime levels are rising, with an increase in both targeted burglaries and opportunist thefts against residents and tourists. The inability of the authorities to catch and prosecute offenders is a concern. You should maintain at least the same level of security awareness as you would in the UK and make sure your living accommodation is secure. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery. Use a hotel safe to store valuables, money and passports. Don’t leave valuables in cars or anywhere on display. Accommodation, particularly in isolated areas, should have adequate security, including external security lighting, grilles and overnight security guards. Be vigilant and when outside hotels grounds always carry a mobile phone with roaming capability for use in emergency. Take care in isolated areas and also in more popular places like Beau Vallon and t...

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, a number of world leaders, Crown Princes, dignitaries and senior officials attended the final race of 2014 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. The final race was attended by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Ali Bongo of Gabon, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Kosovo, Madam Atifete Jahjaga, President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic, President of Seychelles James Michel, and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Vice-President arrived at the race...

Under cover of darkness in the steamy jungles of the Seychelles thieves creep out to harvest the sizeable and valuable nuts of the famous coco de mer palm, and their activities are threatening its long-term survival. Nicknamed "coco bottom" on the Indian Ocean archipelago for its curves like a woman's buttocks, some 40 of the giant nuts have been stolen since the beginning of the year on the island of Praslin. The trees survive, but slashing with knives means the rare palms produce fewer fruit each year, while the seeds themselves are taken off for sale rather than producing new plants. It is a worrying problem for the Seychelles, which features the coco de mer on its coat of arms. Conservationists fear the illegal trade threatens the future of nut, the biggest in the world and endemic to just two of the country's islands. "Shock and horror," the headline of a Seychelles news agency story read after a raid last month in which 10 nuts wer...

Benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson will lose the $3.3 million he has invested in Austria, after the Crown won a case to retrieve it. Wayne Thomas Patterson was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison in 2007 after pleading guilty to stealing $3.4m in multiple charges of benefit fraud. He faked 123 identities to claim up to $28,000 a week for three years before his arrest in 2006. The Crown has recovered the $3.4m that was taken, but it has also spent the past eight years in a legal battle in Austria to recover Apple shares and cash that had increased in value to about $3.3m. Patterson, who employed an Austrian lawyer, has argued that the Crown has recovered what it was owed and the outstanding funds were rightfully his. Despite telling the Parole Board last year that he had instructed his lawyer to release the funds to the Ministry of Social Development, he has continued his fight to retain the funds...

Yes, Seychelles has historical ties with Africa, but it sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 1000 miles off the east coast of Africa. So why are Chinese tour operators cancelling trips to Seychelles? Over ebola fears, according to a report in  eTurboNews . Top Seychelles tourism officials have gone to China armed with maps of Africa and this message: Seychelles is Ebola free and safe for travelers. Alain St. Ange, the Seychelles minister for tourism and culture is in China with Sherin Naiken, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, for one-on-one meetings with travel agents and tour operators. They’re selling Seychelles as the new tourism destination for Chinese vacationers. They started in Beijing with CAISSA Travel Management Co. Ltd., Windy Feeling International Travel Service, and Qunar.com, eTurboNews  reports. St. Ange argued that Africa is 54 countries, not villages, and spelled out where Seychelles was — saf...

Psychopathe ? Maniaco-dépressif ? Mégalomane? Rusé ? Tous ces traits de caractère pourraient correspondre à un Sakher El Matri, éminent sympathisant des Islamistes, selon nombre de ses anciennes connaissances et autres collaborateurs. Mais nous le croyions calmé depuis qu’il a été éjecté de la Tunisie et accueilli aux Seychelles grâce à ses amis influents. Il n’en est rien. La beauté de cet archipel posé sur l’Océan indien n’a pas calmé les penchants violents de Sakher El Matri ni son agressivité. Ainsi, il s’en est pris à une jeune mère de famille tunisienne séjournant dans un hôtel de la place alors qu’elle le photographiait. Pourtant tous les Tunisiens savent que le gendre de Ben Ali, qui demandait aux journalistes de le féliciter pour le poste de président de Conseil d’Administration de Tunisiana alors que l’on tirait leurs concitoyens comme des lièvres, séjournait en hôte de qualité à Victoria, capitale seychelloise. Il faut reconnaître que de la haine à l’en...

The Seychelles delegation attending World Travel Market in London (WTM) is saying that all is looking more positive for the island on the UK market. “The continued interest by the UK Tour Operators, the support displayed by the press through the many interviews carried out on the Seychelles Stand at WTM and the new business drive are all positive signs said the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange who was personally heading this year’s delegation to the UK Tourism and Trade Fair. “Airline discussions have been held and new investments inquiries attended to. Our arrival figures are showing signs that the UK Tour Operators are pushing the islands once again. We launched new marketing tools and our e-marketing Department is today more on the ball than ever before”  said Minister St.Ange This year the Seychelles had a big private sector delegation participating alongside the Seychelles Tourism Board at WTM.   htt...

Offshore Entities:

Marco denies involvement with Robert November 5, 2014 The story published in Lanka Herald about Sri Lankans being swindled in the Seychelles has resulted in one of the accused, Marco Francis writing to the website disowning himself from Robert Piksa’s actions. Francis in his response said, “Yes, I am a shareholder in a company with Mr Piksa and yes, we export fish to Sri Lanka, but all our activities are above board. Also whatever dealings Robert Piksa has or had done on his own I cannot be responsible. I have never indulged in nor will ever go into money laundering.” Following is the response sent by Marco Francis. I am writing to you in reply to the article in Lanka Herald on October 30, 2014 title “Sri Lankans swindled in the Seychelles”. In the article you specifically mentioned my name Marco L Francis have “swindled” a number of unidentified Sri-Lankan nationals seeking to do business in the Seychelles. Also “cheated many Sri Lankan businessmen promising dea...

The unexpected and mysterious death of Harmon Chellen in the Seychelles is still being investigated – so far, no clear answer has been found. Harmon Chellen’s body was spotted in the sea on the same day that he had been summoned to a police station after having been accused by an employee of the hotel where he was residing of attempt to rape. The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Luciano Gerard, is to travel to the Seychelles for the investigation of the circumstances of death. The Mauritian minister of foreign affairs, Arvin Boolell, explained that before the ASP can make the trip, a written agreement signed by the Seychelles authorities is needed. Once this is communicated to the Mauritian authorities, the ASP will be in the position of doing a follow-up of the police case. Arvin Boolell also added that they are waiting to have access to the report of the medical examiner, Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, who did the second autopsy on the corpse. The report in...

Abhishek Sharan , Hindustan Times  New Delhi, October 24, 2014 First Published: 22:58 IST(24/10/2014) | Last Updated: 23:03 IST(24/ The CBI, which is probing receipt of alleged kickbacks in the Rs. 3,600 crore VVIP AgustaWestland deal, is likely to send Letters Rogatory (LR) to authorities in Singapore and Seychelles to seek details regarding certain monetary transactions under its scanner. The Seychelles and Singapore connections have emerged in the probe for the first time. “The probe has taken under its scanner certain transactions from an accused Tunisian firm to an intermediary firm in Mauritius, which in turn, routed the funds to a few other firms based in the same country as well as in Singapore and Seychelles,” said a CBI source. The alleged transactions were done through banks located in Port Louis in Mauritius, Victoria in Seychelles and in Singapore, said the source. The details, once procured, would help in determining t...

Oct 22, 2014 - PRAMOD KUMAR Evidence collected by Indian investigating agencies into the AgustaWestland helicopter deal reveals that kickbacks into the country were routed through a circuitous financial network involving countries like Singapore and Seychelles. For the first time a Seychelles connection has surfaced in the multi-crore helicopter deal. Sources said both Central probe agencies CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are planning to send judicial requests to authorities concerned in Singapore and Seychelles to get details about certain firms based there. Sources said the CBI is preparing to examine some more private persons in connection with its probe into the deal. The ED is planning to send judicial requests to about six countries in this regard, they added. The ED recently arrested a businessman Gautam Khaitan in connection with the case. Investigations by the agency revealed that Mr Khaitan had allegedly helped the Anglo-Italian defence manufactur...

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, led a one-day working visit to Paris to meet with French tour operators and members of the press. Minister St.Ange was accompanied on this working visit by Captain David Savy, the Chairman of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), and Mr. Manoj Papa, the CEO of Air Seychelles. In Paris, the Seychelles Minister and his delegation were joined by Bernadette Willemin, the Seychelles Tourism Board's Paris-based Director for Europe; the island's Marketing Executive, Christine Vel; and Jennifer Dupuy. Air Seychelles' Justin Gosling and Christine Ozouf were also present at the meeting when Minister Alain St.Ange announced that Air Seychelles would, with immediate effect, operate its two weekly flights between Paris and Seychelles with only a technical stop in Abu Dhabi where passengers now remain on board the plane during the short stop. "We can today announce that Seychelles...