President Wavel Ramkalawan, chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, Wednesday 6th December in which a number of legal memoranda were approved.

Cabinet approved for the drafting of a new regulation for import and export of food and the repeal of the Food Import (Health Certificate) Regulations.  The aim of the regulation is to increase public health protection and increase fair trade.  The regulation will cover the requirements for importation of high risk food products, exportation of food products and the related fees. 

Cabinet approved the Seychelles' Intellectual Property Legislations Review. The review will cover the Copyright Bill, Industrial Property Bill and the Plant Variety Protection Bill. Cabinet has also approved to put on hold previous decision to have an Intellectual Property Office in Seychelles.

Cabinet approved for the ratification of the Provisional Application of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States; and the Members of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States.  This new partnership agreement will take effect as of 1st January 2024 and will replace the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which will come to an end on 31st December 2023. The signing of the Agreement will allow Seychelles to continue to benefit from the ongoing EU cooperation. 

Concerned about the serious impact of alcohol abuse in the country, Cabinet approved for the drafting of regulations to regulate the advertising and promotion of alcohol.  Cabinet additionally urged State media to stop the advertising alcohol immediately.