1 – What is my first point of contact for business related matters?
Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB)
[www.sib.gov.sc] is the first point of contact for all matters
relating to investment and business. If you are interested in business enterprises
base at home, you should contact
Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (SEnPA)
[www.senpa.sc] and if you are
interested in the offshore sector, you should contact
Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA)
[www.siba.net].
You can also contact
Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)
[www.sla.gov.sc] for licenses information.
2 – As a citizen, how do I start my business?
Go to
Starting up your business for detailed information.
3 – As a foreign investor, how to I start my business?
Go to
Foreign Businesses for detailed information.
4 – What investment areas that are reserved only to domestic investors?
Some investment areas are classified as
Restricted Investment Areas
in order to protected the domestic market and other investment areas are
classified as
Strategic Investment Areas
because the government categorised them as important national investment areas
and that citizens and foreign investors need to satisfy certain criteria in
order to invest in these areas. Go to
Investment Areas
5 – What types of government incentives are available?
Incentives in the following sectors are provided by the government.
>>more
6 – I would like to know information regarding taxes?
Go to
Taxation information for more information.
7 – How can I raise funds in order to start up or expand my business?
There are 2 ways for you to raise fund. You can apply for a
loan
(borrow money) from a bank. For example, Barclays bank (Seychelles) Ltd provides a Business
Solution package. The second option is
equity financing, whereby you sell
some of your business shares to third parties.
8 – As a foreign investor, what immigration permit do I need in order to operate a business in Seychelles?
In order for you to operate a business in Seychelles, you need to apply for
a
Gainful Occupation permit (GOP).
>>more
9 – What schemes or financial assistance are provided by the government to young entrepreneurs?
The government provides several schemes to assist young people who want to
set up a business. One of the most important schemes is the
Youth Enterprise
Scheme (YES) provided by the Ministry of Finance. Other schemes include the
Agriculture Development fund (ADF) if you are interested in setting up a business
in the agriculture sector, the
Export Marketing Scheme (EMS),
the
Refinance Scheme
for Export and the
Small Business Finance Facilities (SBFF).
You can also contact the
Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS) which offers long
term lending facilities at concessionary rates for productive projects.
DBS finances new, modernization and expansion projects in the fields of
agriculture, fisheries, industries, services and tourism. The bank also
finances construction of shops and commercial buildings
10 – Can a citizen invest in the offshore sector?
It is possible for a citizen to invest in the offshore sector.
Please contact the
Seychelles
International Business Authority (SIBA) for more information.