SIB’s investment forum opens in Istanbul-Potential Turkish businessmen seek to know more about Seychelles |29 September 2012

Organised by the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) in close collaboration with the Turkish confederation of businessmen and industrialists (Tuskon), the forum follows a high-level visit by a delegation of Seychelles parliamentarians to Turkey last year.

Following talks the delegation -- headed by Assembly Speaker Dr Patrick Herminie -- had with the Turkish authorities and the business community there, significant interest in developing economic and investment ties with Seychelles was expressed. This first forum is the result of these discussions.

The Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte launched the forum during a ceremony at Istanbul’s Grand Cevahir Hotel’s convention centre.

The ceremony was also attended by Seychelles honorary consul in Turkey Altunç Kumova, the president of Tuskon Rizanur Meral, the chief executive of SIB Sherin Renaud, the first deputy governor of the Central Bank Christopher Edmond, Assembly representative and elected member for Cascade Charles De Commarmond, a number of local businessmen and investors, and other members of the Seychelles delegation at the forum as well.

It is to be noted that a number of Turkish press and television also covered the event.

In remarks to launch the forum, Minister Laporte said he is encouraged and delighted by the level of “enthusiasm shown by the Turkish business community who had turned up in large numbers to learn more about Seychelles and hear what our country has to offer and for both countries to explore what our people can achieve together”.

“We are here representing our country’s diverse business opportunities. You will learn about the economic climate supporting investments and the potential that Seychelles has, be it in the tourism, financial services, fisheries, exploitation of natural resources and trade sectors,” Mr Laporte told those present.

“Seychelles has all the ingredients of a very attractive investment destination,” noted Mr Laporte.

He stressed on the fact that Seychelles is a multi-lingual society, has modern legal and investment frameworks, a financial sector which is being modernised, strategic geographical location and favourable time zones, a network of membership to major regional trading blocs like Comesa, SADC, the Indian Ocean Rim and the Indian Ocean Commission.

The recent connection to more modern fibre optic cables which makes connectivity to the outside world faster was also highlighted by Minister Laporte.

The minister invited Turkish businessmen to make the most of the opportunity the forum provides to  know more about the various business opportunities available in Seychelles.

He also called on the local business entities in search of business openings to establish contacts and build up partnerships through strong networking and dialogues.

Tuskon’s Meral also invited the Turkish business community to do the same.
“Tuskon has offices in various parts of the world including  Washington,  Brussels, Moscow and next month it is opening an office in Addis Abbaba to help foster business development in that area and this is a great opportunity for you all,” said Mr Meral.

Mr Meral further noted that in its quest for more economic growth last year alone Tuskon hosted over 400 trade forums with over 7000 Turkish businessmen and over 500 forums in 140 countries which were  attended by over 10,000 businessmen from various parts of the world.

Following various presentations which focused mainly on Seychelles’ economic strength, the evolving business landscape and investment potentials especially in tourism and more particularly on the outer islands, the Eden Island ‘Own it’ project to name but some, the participants registered for one to one meeting s and further discussions with the various presenters, local business heads and Seychelles forum delegation members.