VICTORIA, Seychelles — The chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Oliver Bastienne, has called for sweeping policy reforms to revive sluggish business activity in the country, including reducing the business tax to 15 per cent for all firms outside the presumptive tax regime. Mr Bastienne said lower taxes would encourage investment and improve compliance while fostering a competitive regime that supports growth rather than acting as an obstacle.
In an interview with this newspaper, the SCCI chairman also urged reform of the SME scheme, suggesting a model in which financial institutions and the government share investment risks, alongside stronger mentorship and equity support programmes. He further emphasised the need to improve regulatory efficiency, particularly at the Registrar of Companies, where current reforms are not delivering the dividends expected from an efficiency perspective. Seychelles, he warned, must collectively work to reverse a sluggish industry trend, with policy measures taken soon.
Mr Bastienne described the country’s economic outlook as ‘cautiously optimistic’ and proposed the creation of an Economic Forum in which the government and the private sector could jointly assess conditions and develop solutions. He also encouraged the phasing out of cheques, advocating for a smooth transition to digital alternatives. Upcoming SCCI elections for the chairman and councillors will be held in April, with candidates yet to confirm their candidacies.
