President Dr Patrick Herminie chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 9th September, during which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.

Cabinet approved the development of a modern legal framework for the governance and management of the Public Service. The Department of Public Administration, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Office, will undertake stakeholder consultations before submitting the draft Bill to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet approved the Seychelles Islands Foundation Bill, 2026, which repeals and replaces the Seychelles Islands Foundation Decree, 1979.  The modern legislative framework reflects the Foundation’s expanded mandate in the governance, management and conservation of Seychelles’ internationally significant natural heritage sites. The Bill strengthens the Foundation’s governance and administrative arrangements, clarifies its functions, powers and financial management. It also provides for updated Board and executive leadership provisions, and ensures continuity of the Foundation’s operations, assets and obligations during the transition to the new legal framework. The Bill will be gazetted and submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.

Cabinet approved the Policy Framework for the Establishment of Seychelles Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and endorsed the drafting of a new Special Economic Zones Act to repeal and replace the International Trade Zone Act, 1995. The new framework will modernise Seychelles' investment regime by establishing specialised zones for financial services, free ports, trade and industrial parks, and the blue economy. It introduces tailored governance, licensing, incentives and substance requirements for each zone. The framework aims to attract high-value investment, promote economic diversification, strengthen exports and logistics, support innovation and job creation, and align Seychelles with international best practice while ensuring compliance with international tax and regulatory standards.

Cabinet approved the establishment of the Seychelles Hydrographic Office (SHO) within the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA). The Office will serve as the national technical authority for hydrographic surveys, marine data management and maritime safety information. Cabinet also approved the creation of a National Hydrographic Committee to provide strategic direction and coordinate hydrographic activities across relevant agencies.  Cabinet also approved the proposed emblem for the SHO. These measures will strengthen navigational safety, search and rescue capabilities, marine spatial planning and blue economy initiatives, while ensuring Seychelles meets its international obligations under the SOLAS Convention and International Hydrographic Organization standards through a coordinated national hydrographic framework.

Cabinet was briefed on the Seychelles Meteorological Authority’s seasonal climate outlook for the 2026/27 El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole events and approved a series of national preparedness measures to strengthen resilience against the anticipated increase in extreme weather. Cabinet endorsed coordinated action across Government to enhance flood and coastal risk management through the inspection, maintenance and desilting of drainage infrastructure, while supporting the mobilisation of the necessary resources to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding, landslides, coastal inundation and other climate-related hazards.

Cabinet approved the holding of a high-level multi-stakeholder Digital Economic Transformation (DET) Forum to advance Seychelles’ digital transformation agenda and position the digital economy as a driver of economic diversification, resilience and sustainable growth. The Forum will bring together Government, the private sector, academia, development partners and international experts to agree on the national digital architecture, identify priority lighthouse projects, and develop a coordinated implementation roadmap. It will also support Seychelles’ ambitions to strengthen data governance, digital infrastructure, innovation and regional leadership, while leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand digital trade and investment.

Cabinet approved the re-establishment of the Blue Economy Council as the Government’s high-level coordination and oversight mechanism to guide the continued development of Seychelles’ Blue Economy. Chaired by the Vice-President, the reconstituted Council will provide strategic leadership for implementing the Seychelles Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Roadmap (2018–2030), strengthen coordination across Ministries and stakeholders, promote sustainable ocean governance, support economic diversification and innovation, accelerate the development of relevant legislation, and reinforce Seychelles’ regional and international leadership in the Blue Economy. The new Council will also have broader representation, including Principal Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and non-government stakeholders, to ensure a more inclusive and effective whole-of-government approach.

Relevant Ministries will provide details.