Chamber of Commerce looks to boost trade ties with Kenya |12 June 2014

The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) met a Kenyan delegation on Monday to discuss ways of improving economic relations.

The meeting was attended by the chairman of SCCI, Marco Francis, his Kenyan counterpart, Kiprono Kittony, and the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohamed.

“It’s imperative that Seychelles continues to strengthen its existing regional trade and investment links with neighbour countries such as Kenya,” said Mr Francis.

The talks delved into ways of increasing the bilateral trade volume between Kenya and Seychelles, which is approximately R60 million, as well as possible business initiatives in the tourism sector, the Blue Economy and in financial services.

Recognising that the lack of air and sea connectivity is a major bottleneck to trade relations, the SCCI welcomed news that Kenya Airways is considering operating daily flights from Mahé to Nairobi.

“Having seven flights a week would not only increase inbound tourism numbers from Kenya, but also increase the possibility of using the surplus cargo capacity for transferring goods,” said Mr Francis.

During the meeting, the SCCI also encouraged the Kenyan business community to take part in a hospitality fair to be held two weeks from now.

The meeting was held as a follow-up to business discussions that took place in the Kenyan capital during a visit in March by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam.