President Danny Faure chaired the third consultative session with key representatives of Government and Private Sector stakeholders at State House this morning. The meeting follows on from sessions previously held between the two sectors regarding the economic response to COVID-19.

Members reviewed the ongoing implementation of the Financial Assistance for Job Retention programme (FA4JR) and discussed possible revisions as put forward by the private sector.

Other areas of discussion included the Private Sector Relief Scheme credit facility that has been set up by the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) in anticipation of the revenue constraints that businesses are facing, given reduced demand for certain goods and services due to the associated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives of the private sector expressed their concerns regarding the modality of the scheme, centred on its tenure, duration, security and collateral. They also urged Government to consider alternative schemes for small and medium sized businesses, also in need of financial assistance. The meeting also briefly discussed existing policies in place regarding Gainful Occupation Permits (GOPs) and the way forward. The subject will be discussed further at the next meeting.

Present for the meeting at State House, was the Minister for Finance Trade and Investment, Amb. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Miriam Telemaque, the Attorney General, Mr Frank Ally, the Principal Secretary for Employment, Mr Jules Baker, the Special Advisor for Employment, Ms Veronique Bresson, the Governor of Central Bank, Ms Caroline Abel, First Deputy Governor, Mr Christopher Edmond, the Chief Policy Analyst for Department of Employment, Ms Susan Morel, the Secretary General of SFWU, Mr Antoine Robinson, the Executive Secretary of GETUS, Mrs Tina Hoarau, the Chairperson of SHTA, Mrs Sybille Cardon, the Vice Chairperson of SHTA, Mr Allen Mason, the Chairperson of SCCI, Mr Oliver Bastienne, the Treasurer of SCCI, Ms Brenda Morin, representative of the Praslin Business Association, Mr Paul Rouillon, SCCI representative, Mr Divino Sabino, representative of the La Digue Business Association, Mr Melton Ernesta,