VICTORIA, Seychelles — The European Union remained the main trade partner of the Republic of Seychelles in 2023, according to an analysis of trade flows carried out by the Delegation of the European Union. The EU was the main market for Seychelles exports and the main source for imports. With the implementation of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) since 2011, total trade between the EU and Seychelles has increased by 82.7 percent, with trade exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Seychelles’ total trade in 2023 was valued at €1.72 billion, representing a slight increase of 2.5 percent compared to 2022 (€1.68 billion), the highest in the previous ten years. The EU held 31.8 percent of total trade, followed by the United Arab Emirates (28.1 percent), the United Kingdom (5.4 percent), South Africa (5.4 percent), India (5.3 percent) and China (3.4 percent). Trade with the EU was valued at €546.96 million, representing a decrease of 1.5 percent compared to 2022. The EU received 62 percent of total exports, with France, Italy and Germany the main destinations.
Oskar Benedikt, ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles, said the analysis shows the EU remains the first partner of Seychelles and that, based on provisional 2024 data, this trend would be maintained. The deepening of the iEPA, where conclusion of the ongoing negotiations is expected in 2025, will bring further growth opportunities and job creation. The next round of negotiations will be held in March 2025.
