Boulle bags Saopra chair |19 July 2004

Saopra, the association which clubs together Seychelles' corporate service providers, who work in the offshore sector, also voted in Jenny Gontier, of the Mayfair Trust Group, as vice-chair and Malika Jivan, from the Victoria Corporate Agents, as secretary.

The group's finances will be handled by Debra Akatsa as treasurer and the other members will be Helen Ernesta (Mossack Fonseca & Co), Raja Ramani (International Investment Services) and Bernard Pool (La Rosiere).

Of the 25 licensed international corporate service providers (CSPs) in Seychelles, which employ roughly 75 local and expatriate staff, 18 are members of Saopra.

A press release from the association credits the Seychelles International Business Authority (Siba) with having helped promote Seychelles as a tax haven for wealthy businesses and individuals, leading to roughly 16,000 international business companies having been incorporated since the inception of the offshore industry in 1995.

The press release adds, "Over the years SIBA has promoted Seychelles as an offshore jurisdiction. They are sponsoring two international conferences to be held later this year; in Shanghai, in September, and in Singapore, in November."

"Two members of Saopra will be speaking at these conferences, which play a vital role in making international professionals aware of Seychelles and are an excellent opportunity for local professionals to interact with colleagues from other jurisdictions."