President Wavel Ramkalawan chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet today, Wednesday 20th July at which a number of policy and legal memoranda were considered.

Cabinet approved the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust of Seychelles Act, 2015, was enacted to facilitate the Seychelles Debt-for-Nature-Swap Agreement. The commitments in this Agreement included having Seychelles designate, and effectively manage, 30% of its ocean territory as marine protected areas and in return Seychelles would get USD$21.6 in debt restructuring. It was through this law that the Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) was established. The aim of the amendments to the Act is to address legislative gaps, shortcomings, and ambiguity in the law.

Cabinet approved a series of works proposed to be undertaken by L’Union Estate Company Ltd with the aim of revitalizing the Estate to provide value for money to its visitors, showcase Seychelles heritage, and promote a cultural experience on the Estate.

Cabinet was updated on the status of the implementation of the Seychelles Biometric Passport project. The Biometric passport will allow the country to negotiate visa waiver agreements with other countries; and will interface better with other databases. It will also have enhanced security features. The biometric passport will be implemented from the end of November 2022.

Cabinet expressed its thanks and gratitude to the Seychellois public and all those who played a role in ensuring that the State Visit of the President Uhuru Kenyatta to Seychelles was such a great success. Cabinet expressed confidence that the Memoranda of Understanding signed during President Kenyatta’s visit would further reinforce the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Seychelles and Kenya. Cabinet wished the people of Kenya successful and peaceful elections in August, and a smooth transition in the presidency.

Further details to the media will be provided by the relevant Ministry.