SDG Investor Map - Seychelles 2023

Digital Marketplace for Diversifying the Export Market Business Model • Develop a digital marketplace application or platform to connect Seychellois producers with international markets specialized in tourism, fisheries value chains, and agriculture, and improve demand forecasting, supply decisions, origin traceability, and sustainability of products to trade via AfCFTA and EU agreements. Emerging Private Sector and Market Potential . . • There have been discussions regarding the initiation of a Mauritius fish exchange platform to trade the excess fish caught mainly in Praslin (or La Digue) from Seychelles to Rodrigues, an outer island of Mauritius. As islands of both countries transport the catch to the mainland first and then export, there is a need to create a link between the two countries. The partnership will take place between fishers' associations and NGOS to facilitate fish trade between artisanal communities. The Government of Seychelles is soon to issue the E-money regulation to ensure guidance to Payment Service Providers (PSPs). Government engagements to advance the digital ecosystem include incentives to increase the usage of digital financial services; study internet affordability and reliability; the adoption of the Financial Consumer Protection Act; Digital Financial Literacy, and the implementation of a new Credit Information System and associated legislative framework. Development Need • Seychelles' intra-Africa trade (USD 8 million in 2020) represented only 2% of the country's global exports. The ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can enable diversification beyond the European Union. Seychelles should tap into markets such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the US, and the ASEAN countries. Policy and Regulatory Momentum • The digital economy agenda could improve policy and regulatory environment by providing guidance and management structure for digital entrepreneurship and fostering the establishment of an ICT ecosystem in the country, notably with fintech labs, IT incubators, and IT academies that would complement the education policy regarding the bilingual characteristic of the Seychellois workforce. SDG Investor Map - Seychelles 2023 15

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