President Danny Faure chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 20th February, at which a number of legal and policy memoranda were considered.

Cabinet approved amendments to the Central Bank Act to strengthen legislation providing for minimum reserve requirements by banks, and for penalties for non-compliance. The amendments had been recommended by the Central Bank of Seychelles.

Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Food Act (General Labelling) Regulations 1992 and the Food Act (Contaminant) Regulations 1994 to prevent deception, ensure fair trading practices and most importantly protect and safeguard the consumers from possible health risks caused by ingredients.

Cabinet also approved for the drafting of a Regulation on Alternative Nicotine Delivery System (ANDS) which includes Electronic Cigarettes under the Tobacco Control Act 2009. The regulation will classify ANDS as tobacco products so that all provisions in the Seychelles tobacco control law will extend to the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of ANDS.

Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Custom Management (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) Regulations, 2014, to accommodate the proposed changes in regulating the importation of plastic straws.

Cabinet also approved other amendments to the Custom Management (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) Regulations, 2014, to include the specific spare parts which are deemed to require an import permit and to move cabins for trucks from the list of Prohibited Goods to the list of Restricted Goods.