Seychelles keen to stay clean financial centre |14 May 2013

He gave the interview during the recent World Economic Forum held in that country, saying we are on the white list of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and we aim to stay there.

Mr Laporte was explaining the areas in which our economy is diversifying into, such as oil and gas exploration and financial services sector which now has the boost of cable internet link.

Noting our growth is strong at 4.5% during the last three years, Mr Laporte said tourism growth is now at 20% and being the mainstay of the economy, we are diversifying even within that industry.

He said Europe has been our traditional market, but we are now widening to get more visitors from China, South Africa, Russia and the Gulf countries.
He also talked about untapped resources within the fisheries industry into which we are edging.

Mr Laporte said the forum offered a good opportunity for Seychelles to network with regional partners.