CHINESE collaboration will add weight to Seychelles' business infrastructure.

Transport links have also improved significantly. A recent alliance between Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways - the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, which was voted the world's leading airline at the World Travel Awards 2011 - has completely repositioned Air Seychelles in terms of future growth. It provides tremendous opportunities in terms of air access for new and existing markets including China.

As Joel Morgan, minister of Home Affairs and Transport says: "With 40 percent backing from Etihad, we will see significant new investment being put into our national airline's equipment, new aircraft, the development of a new business strategy and model for the long-term sustainability of our national carrier.

"There are many benefits, but what I must highlight is the opening of the global tourism network, and the fact Seychelles wants to focus on China as one of its key targets in terms of the development of tourism and our business legs for the short to medium term."

The minister was part of President James Alix Michel's delegation to China last year, and had discussions with the deputy minister of Transport of China, and various airlines in China to stimulate interest in the opening of a direct air link.

"There was a lot of interest," he says. "Through this partnership with Etihad, we are looking at starting direct flights to one or more destinations in China in the coming months. In the meantime, connectivity is ensured through our link to Abu Dhabi, which is where Etihad connects with Air Seychelles to bring Chinese visitors here."

The minister is equally upbeat about the possibility of oil being landed in Seychelles as soon as 2015. The government-owned company, SEYPEC, is reported to have invested US$2.2 million in WHL Energy, an Australian energy company whose flagship project is its large, offshore Seychelles oil and gas interests.

"The seismic data is very positive and shows there is a significant likelihood of oil and gas reserves within the Mahé plateau," Minister Morgan says. "For us, it would transform the economy in a positive way, because the president has clearly said that if there is a prospect of obtaining oil, the revenues that would come from exploration would be used to invest in the future of our country, in infrastructure and human development, capacity building - all the elements that would position Seychelles in the context of the global economy of the future.

"It would also help us maintain the quality of our pristine environment. We expend a lot of effort in the education of our environmental programs and services, and we police and regulate activities so they do not go against the law. When we speak about the environment, we are not just talking about the terrestrial environment, but also about the marine environment, which is important for both fisheries and tourism."



SCAA keeps economy moving

Seychelles International Airport on Mahé Island has been a key cog in the economy and a strategic part of the current boom. As the gateway to the island, it is the avenue most business people and tourists take to arrive in paradise.

When it opened in 1972, the airport consisted of a 3-kilometer runway and a control tower. In 1980 a passenger terminal was added, and there have been phased developments ever since to cope with the increased demand.

In 2006, the Civil Aviation Authority Act was passed to corporatize the directorate of Civil Aviation to Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. Gilbert Faure, CEO, has been running the SCAA for 17 years and is delighted to see that the vision he had for the airport all those years ago continues to come to fruition.

"We are autonomous and have made massive improvements in airport infrastructure, airport security, service levels and navigation systems in recent years," he says. "Now we want to negotiate as many bilateral services as possible in order to facilitate the development of transport.

"In line with the government's vision, we want to become a mini hub. The economic climate was not good before, but is now slowly falling into place in line with the investment the government is promoting. Tourists with different types of budgets can enjoy our sights and stay with the Seychellois family.

"If you have the money and you want peace and quiet, you can stay at the five-star resorts, but those who want to appreciate how Seychellois live can go to a village and stay in a small guesthouse."

Faure and his team believe in an open market and welcome the impact that the increased competition for airlines will have on lowering airfares to the islands. "You have to be competitive to survive," he says.

It is also important to be proactive in attracting new customers, and SCAA has worked in partnership with Seychelles Tourism Board to host the Routes Africa event on July 8-10 in Seychelles' capital Victoria.

The SCAA is eager to see additional carriers coming to Seychelles. A key advantage he touches on is that, unlike other islands in the region, Seychelles does not suffer from the threat of cyclones, and the airport is more than equipped to handle increased traffic.

Faure's master plan for long-term development of the airport terminal and runway expansion extends over the next 20 years and his sights are set on Chinese investors to help finance the developments.

"We've been collaborating with the Chinese for some time now. China has donated aircraft and shown an interest in the airport's development. We signed a service agreement with China in 2004, and can operate seven flights a week with any type of aircraft … it is now just a case of the getting the ball rolling on this.

"There has been a huge effort from all parties to see more Chinese visitors come here and enjoy themselves. We have world-heritage sites, some of the world's best beaches, very friendly people … so why not come to Seychelles?"