The Seychelles tropical climate and the great scenic beauty has been a great plus for the development of its tourism industry. The Seychelles’ economy continues to rely heavily on tourism as a foreign exchange earner and accounts for about 21% of GDP (2006). The industry also provides employment for about 16% of the total labour force and also stimulates activities in a number of other related sectors such as diving and other marine based activities, entertainment, horticulture and the productions and sales of local handicrafts.



The importance of the fisheries sector in the national economy has grown significantly with the development of the Industrial Tuna Fishing activity in the West Indian Ocean in early 1980's and the setting up of the tuna canning factory in 1987. On the other hand, agriculture has declined in importance since the 1970s. The Fishing sector is divided into three main branches:

• Artisanal Fishery which comprises of small vessels catching various types of fish, mostly for local consumption

• Semi-Industrial (Longline Fishery) consisting of a few Seychellois companies catching mainly tuna but also some other species, mainly for export

• Industrial or Purse Seine Fishery which concentrates mainly on tuna and comprises of vessels (mainly from the EU) which are licensed to fish in the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

In addition to the conventional fishing activities, Seychelles has also developed Aquaculture, which includes prawn farming (mainly for export) and the breeding of giant clams and pearl oysters.

The agriculture and fisheries together contribute 3% towards the GDP (market price, 2006).



The manufacturing and construction sector account for 30% of GDP (2006) (including IOT). The cannery (Indian Ocean Tuna Ltd, IOT), the local beverage company, (SEYBREW), the privatized stationery and printing company (PRINTEC), the manufacturing unit of the Seychelles Trading Company (FoodPro) and the prawn production project (COETIVY PRAWN) are the major firms within the manufacturing sector.

Most of the other industrial activities are limited to small-scale manufacturing, particularly agro-processing.

A significant growth in the construction industry is partly linked to the progressive development of physical infrastructure and the needs of the tourism sector.



Government’s efforts to diversify the economic base have paved the way for a fast developing offshore sector. The sale of financial and business products is now being regarded as the third pillar of the economy. The status of Seychelles as an independent financial centre is continuously growing with to the establishment of the Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA). The Seychelles International Trade (Free) Zone (SITZ) is also becoming a major element in the economic development of the country.