New loan scheme launched to boost protection of International Intellectual Property |05 August 2025
SS Payet and Ms Preira sign the agreement
New loan scheme launched to boost protection of International Intellectual Property
The Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade and the Development Bank of Seychelles signed a landmark agreement on Friday August 1, 2025, to officially launch the International Intellectual Property Rights Registration Loan Scheme.
The scheme is a government funded initiative aimed at empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other eligible businesses in Seychelles to protect their intellectual property (IP) in regional and international markets.
The agreement, signed by Patrick Payet, secretary of state (SS) at the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, and Jean Preira, managing director of the Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS), establishes a collaborative framework for the disbursement and management of a R5 million loan facility, which will be administered by DBS.
Through the scheme, eligible Seychellois-owned businesses will be able to access affordable financing of up to R500,000 at a 3 percent interest rate, with a two-year grace period and a maximum repayment term of five years. The loans are specifically intended to cover the costs of IP registration, including agent fees and filing expenses at the regional and international levels.
The launch of the scheme is a direct response to concerns raised by key stakeholders during a series of workshops held in April 2023 to mark World Intellectual Property Day, where participants identified high registration costs as a key barrier for local businesses seeking IP protection abroad.
By improving access to financing, the government aims to foster innovation, protect the rights of Seychellois creators, and enable local businesses to expand into global markets. The ministry is confident that the scheme will play a transformative role in supporting Seychelles’ long term economic development by strengthening the intellectual property landscape.
Text & photos: Contributed