24th September 2010 – Seychelles turned a challenge into an opportunity by its quick response to the world economic crisis, Vice-President and Finance Minister Danny Faure has said in New York.

He was addressing Seychelles’ first international economic forum outside the country.

The meeting in New York on 22nd September was organized by Seychelles’ new consul general in California, Mr Justin Etzin, as part of the ongoing efforts to make private sector overseas partners and potential investors aware of the openings available in Seychelles following the successful introduction of ground-breaking economic reforms in 2008.

Consul General, Justin Etzin, said ‘bringing together the business community of New York along with key stake holders in the Seychelles government assisted companies wishing to invest in the Seychelles to be able to start productive conversations with Government to pursue new opportunities as well as private sector participation in public sector financing bridging Government & the private sector together.’

VP Faure said in his speech: “As a country, Seychelles has seized the challenges placed before it by the world financial crisis and created the opportunity to restructure its economy much more competitively.”

There were presentations by Mr Sinon, the Minister for Investment, Natural Resources and Industry, and backed by the chief executive of the Seychelles Investment Bureau, Mrs Sherin Renaud.

Representatives of the Central Bank of Seychelles, the Seychelles International Business Authority and Eden Island also made presentations.

The Seychelles Investment Bureau will be organizing other forums around the world to tell potential investors of the opportunities available.

“Seychelles has a lot to offer, and we must tap into this potential to be able to deliver a better life for all our citizens. We need tyo continue to promote quality investment to pass on increased benefits to the Seychellois people,” said VP Faure.

He noted that it is important in this time of increased global competition for Seychelles to be proactive and explain clearly to our potential investors what we can offer.

A private dinner was held after the event, hosted by Consul General Justin Etzin, in the sky above New York in his New York Penthouse.  

Originally reported by the State House.