Finance minister signs zero‑tariff pact in Beijing |23 September 2026

Minister Laporte and Minister Wang Wentao exchange documents after signing the trade agreement

Finance minister signs zero‑tariff pact in Beijing

The Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade & Investment, Pierre Laporte, undertook a working visit to Beijing, China from September 9 to 13.

He was accompanied by principal secretary for Trade & Investment Natalie Edmond and senior trade officer Krishnasamy Naidoo.

The visit featured the signing of the ‘Early Harvest Arrangement’ between Seychelles, represented by Minister Laporte, and China, represented by Minister for Commerce Wang Wentao. The delegation also attended the opening summit of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).

The Early Harvest Arrangement, a bilateral trade agreement, builds on China’s Zero‑Tariff policy for Africa and stems from commitments made at the 2025 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial Conference. The agreement grants zero‑tariff status to more than 6,000 product lines in Seychelles and over 8,000 in China, opening significant new market access for exporters on both sides.

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