Seychelles: Doing business and staying in touch

Doing Business in Seychelles

Business attire is generally informal, though a smart appearance is advised for both men and women attending business meetings. Most executives speak English and/or French.

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1600. Most government offices and some private businesses are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Economy

The Seychelles economy is largely service-based, accounting for almost 84% of its GDP. Tourism is the biggest industry. Industry fishing, notably tuna fishing, is also a significant source of income.

Although farmlands are cultivated on Seychelles, their produce only accounts for 10% of the total consumption, meaning the country has to import 90% of its food.

In recent years, areas around Seychelles have also been drilled to explore oil and gas.

GDP

US$1.406 billion (2017)

Main exports

Canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra and re-exports of petroleum products.

Main imports

Foodstuffs, machinery, equipment, fuel and petroleum products.

Main trading partners

UAE, France, UK, Italy, Germany.

Keeping in Touch in Seychelles

Telephone

There are public payphones available on the islands, although they have been made somewhat redundant by increasing mobile phone usage. Hotels are usually equipped with landline telephones for guest use.

Mobile Phone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies and coverage is good on most of the islands.

Internet

Most hotels have Wi-Fi access.

Media

The media is very much controlled by the island's government. The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) is the national public broadcaster. In addition, there are two private companies offering cable and satellite TV. The government also runs two radio stations (1 AM and 1 FM).

Post

The main post office is in Victoria. Airmail to Western Europe normally takes up to one week.

Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1200.