Find Industry and Manufacturing expertise in Seychelles

The manufacturing sector in Seychelles has a significant impact to the country’s economy. In 2011 manufacturing contributed 8.8% of to the total GDP of Seychelles. Seychelles is classified 74 out of 185 countries by the World Bank for ease of doing business, a ranking based on how conducive the regulatory environment is to the opening and operation of a local firm. Industrial production is estimated to be growing at a rate of 4% (2012 est. CIA World Factbook).

Seychelles’ main industries include tourism, fishing, farming, oil drilling and manufacturing. Most manufacturers are small-scale and consist largely of food processing plants. The manufacture of beer, cigarettes, chemicals and furniture, among other items, also plays a significant role within the sector. Recent developments in global warming have harmed the fishing industry in Seychelles, particularly concerning the fishing of tuna.

Offshore financial services have become increasingly important to Seychelles’ economy since the early 2000s. The Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA) helps ensure that professional standards are adhered to within offshore industries and allows for certain fiscal advantages.

Exports of goods and services made up 45.6% of GDP in 2011 according to the World Bank, an overall decline of 5 points since 2010. The main export industries include canned and frozen fish, cinnamon, copra, and petroleum products, which are exported primarily to France, the UK and Japan. In 2012, Seychelles was estimated to have exports equating to US$493.3 million (est. CIA World Factbook).

The 2013 Global Competitiveness Report scores and ranks the sophistication of production processes around the world, where a low country score of 1 means “no sophistication and labour intensive” and a high score of 7 means production processes are the “world’s best and apply the most efficient  technologies”.  In this respect Seychelles ranks 101 out of 144 countries with a score of 3.2 out of 7.0.

The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is a national independent organisation representing the private sector and promoting investment into the country. In 2013, the SCCI membership covered over 600 organisations, associations and businesses.