Eden Island and Government join together to showcase Seychelles at the World Economic Forum

A special forum has been launched in Cape Town yesterday, where the World Economic Forum (WEF) is being held, showcasing Seychelles’ achievements, and promoting the country’s conducive environment for tourism and investment.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, and Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte, who are representing Seychelles at the forum, launched the event yesterday in partnership with Eden Island CEO, Craig Heeger.
“Seychelles’ recent experiences in economic reforms, but also our increasing diplomatic role, means that we have a lot to share with our region and the world in terms of development strategies, and principles. Our partnership with the private sector has been a key component in our recent success, and we are pleased to be able to participate in events such as these at such important global occasions as the WEF” Minister Adam remarked.
In his opening remarks, Minister Laporte stressed that Seychelles offered a secure location for investment, and that Seychelles’ was becoming increasingly competitive while still retaining those aspects that make it unique, such as a well-protected environment and carefully managed tourism policy:
“We are confident that the balance that Seychelles has established between pro-active development policies, and protection of our natural and cultural heritage, makes Seychelles a unique and incomparable experience for anyone seeking to invest in our country. We are proud of our recent economic transformation, and have been careful that this is situated within a framework of true sustainable development.”
Mr. Craig Heeger emphasized that marketing Eden Island, one of the largest investors in Seychelles, naturally meant also marketing the whole Seychelles experience.
In his remarks, Minister Adam also spoke of Seychelles’ bid to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2017, as an effort to show that all states can and must make a contribution to global security, whether large or small. He highlighted that as an oceanic nation, Seychelles was itself playing a leadership role in maritime security and aimed to redefine the relationship of states, particularly in the African region, with regards to the ocean, as a space for development. He also remarked that, for a small state such as Seychelles to make a difference at the global level, it involved a strong partnership with the private sector:
“Seychelles’ bid is also based on a strong relationship with the private sector- and we look forward to using the platform of our bid to also share some of our positive experiences in working with investors and partners for development.”
The event was also attended by the CEO of the Seychelles Investment Bureau, Mr. Rupert Simeon and by the reigning Miss Seychelles, Sherlyn Furneau.
Editors Note:
- Minister Peter Sinon, who was in Cape Town at the time, supported the occasion by also attending the event.