{
  "id": 13399039,
  "title": "Seychelles' Finance Minister outlines vision for sustainable growth, investment opportunities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/seychelles-finance-minister-outlines-vision-for-sustainable-growth",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-10T11:01:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/gn-focus/seychelles-finance-minister-outlines-vision-for-sustainable-growth-investment-opportunities-1.500705655"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pierre Frank Laporte, Seychelles' Finance Minister, outlined his vision for sustainable growth and investment opportunities during an interview. Laporte, who is returning to the role of Finance Minister for the second time, emphasized the importance of balancing long-term national development with economic stability and attracting international investors.\n\nHe identified several priority areas for the Seychelles economy: tourism, fisheries, ICT, energy, real estate, and petroleum exploration. Laporte highlighted that tourism would continue to be the primary driver of growth due to its mature status and the UAE's ongoing interest in investing in the sector.\n\nTo create a conducive environment for investment, Laporte outlined measures taken by the government. Seychelles boasts a liberal exchange system with no restrictions on funds entering or leaving the country, allowing for easy repatriation of profits. Banks support investors through domestic and foreign currency accounts, and the Financial Services Authority operates with modern models. The government also provides sector-based incentives, with priority given to agriculture and fisheries sectors, while tourism receives support through accelerated depreciation for ongoing renovations.\n\nLaporte expressed confidence in attracting UAE investors, citing multiple projects already in the pipeline for the tourism sector. He also mentioned the competitive advantages Seychelles offers, including open investment and fiscal policies, facilitation structures such as the Seychelles Investment Bureau, and supportive systems like a functional financial sector and VAT incentives during construction.",
  "summary": "Pierre Frank Laporte assumed the role of minister for finance, economic planning, trade and investment in November 2025. His second time holding the office, he brings extensive experience from prior roles at the World Bank and IMF and as governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles. “This broader experience puts me in a better position to work with colleagues across sectors and understand their…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}