Seychelles Carnival Brilliant Marketing Impetus!

I read the Today this week, on the occasion of Nicole Tirant's intervention on the Seychelles Carnival wherein she questioned the value of the Seychelles Carnival. She noted that there were three or four news houses that attended less then the year before. She noted rightly that there were less countries represented this year then the year before. 

All this shallow insignificant points presented  dabbled in the esoteric question: " Is The Carnival Worth It?"

The column could have been used for an article that could really get our country to focus on what matters. I agree with a lot of commentaries Nicole Tirant makes, but this one on the Seychelles Carnival is way off to Mars, out of touch with our reality. If Nicole Tirant needs a point of reference, review the Tourism arrivals under Simone Testa ex Minister of Tourism, review arrivals when Francis Savy was photographing Seychelles in black and white, when at STB, and see the numbers of Arrivals when Joseph Belmont was Minister of Tourism.

Then reflect. Carnival is not the sole means of marketing Seychelles in the digital age, but it is a key impetus to expose Seychelles internationally. 

ST. Ange is The Ultimate Man of Resourcefulness

Minister St. Ange has an un canning ability to make something out of nothing. It is a gift,well rooted in his humble beginnings on La Digue where there were no cars, there were no planes, and a Digious could not even dream of ever riding a train during his early years.

It's beaches leave much to be desired. Anse Source D'Argent, named the "Best Beach in The World", should more rightly be classified as the " Beach with the Best Rocks" In any case, St. Ange is brilliant at making lemonade from lemons while everyone else complains that we have just lemons on the table. St. Ange never complained. He took what he had to work with, and he made the most of it. This is what Seychelles Carnival does for us.

Numbers Do Not Lie!

This un canning sense of resourcefulness has resulted in a consistent 19% increase in arrivals year on year! for the last Five (5) years. Who can complain about St. Ange's strategy? No one.

Perhaps we can make suggestions on how to improve it, and tweek it here and there, but over all, his Carnival strategy has been a winner when combined with his full energy attack at trade fairs, and full energy attack on digital media. He has become famous for running press releases on anything that happens in Seychelles. In turn, Seychelles is kept in the world press, and in the hearts of the Public as a possible holiday destination. 

127 Press Houses Attend

Seychelles Carnival, brings with it a message of World Peace. Who at TODAY can argue with that? With this message, which St. Ange sound bites all year on the road, he invites all press he meets, to come to Seychelles, and experience this wonderful kaleidoscope he call his home, where what race you are is not relevant, what sex you are, is your business, not governments, what religion you are, no one will question. We are living example that tolerance, mutual respect, is a formula for enduring Peace, in paradise.

With this message, he invites hundreds of press houses. Not all turn up, but those that do, experience Seychelles, put her on the World map, all year long. The press corps comes for Carnival, but they visit Seychelles, feel her, experience what we offer and they write travel articles and freelance them around the World. Who can object?

Success Breeds Success

When Sherin Naiken was on CNN being interviewed bookings for three months soared. Now with Sky News covering Seychelles bookings will soar for another three months. Seychelles does not suffer from lack of interest, most of the world is intrigued by this fascinating island state, that is known to be the Garden of Eden ( Praslin, not La Digue), home of the Best Beaches in The World ( Anse Lazio, Praslin, Anse a Georgette, Praslin again) and the amazing records we have with Mossac- Fonseca in the offshore world. Life will go on.

What Seychelles Needs

Seychelles needs more flights inbound to cope with the demand for Seychelles. For this we need to partner with airlines to stimulate the demand. In turn higher arrivals will give us all the opportunity to have our fair share of the Tourism cake, if government makes a commitment to see that done, instead of keeping us under a modern plantation system.

Yes the Monopoly Era in Tourism must end. But it must end with empowering bona Fide Seychellois investors, not disenfranchising them. Government has a tall order, but it must deliver  or suffer the consequences of non performance.

Much has been done. Much remains to be done. Do not blame the Carnival  if things are not perfect. It is an event that celebrates us hand in hand, with the World. Guess what......it works!

Now we have to fix the points that do not work as well. This is where the focus should be .

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

James Michel Goes Door To Door Praslin

James Michel as reported on SBC has pulled his two key secretaries off their office chairs and headed to Praslin to start addressing concerns of citizens. Mr. Michel started this door to door, in the last election when he realized that Mitcy Larue and his MNA's had dropped the ball on a key island strong hold, paving the way for strong gains by the opposition in the last election.

 Congratulations Mr.  Michel!

 We must congratulate Mr. Michel for taking this bold initiative to visit the people of Praslin. Yes he has walked in the rain, yes he did only pre organized visits by some of his people sleeping on the job for years. But he did it, and we are yet to see the opposition on Praslin, except before an election. Wake up folks!

The Public of Praslin should welcome Mr. Michel. In return, Mr. Michel is the best person who can address the laziness of some of his ministers ( we will not name and shame at this time) and the lack of initiative of some of the Public servants confined to Mahe offices ( CEO Planning and Minister of Planning for example).
When the opposition turns up, they too should be welcome. But the Public must hold both Michel and the Opposition to action not mere words. Praslin has been neglected for far too long.

Praslin has been treated by offices in Mahe as some sort of colony and this mental mind set is now bound to change, given the business community will no longer tolerate apathy on Praslin issues by Mahe offices. Offices on Mahe will deal with issues and challenges Praslin faces.

Ministers Giving Praslin Time!

Minister Alain  St. Ange  has responded to our call that Praslin will not accept being sidelined when he sent the Samoa Circus to Praslin, and most recently gathered a few Carnival participants and journalists to go to Praslin. This is a positive first step. We congratulate Minister St. ange for responding to our calls for Praslin to get its fair share of activities and attention. But we want more and expect a more comprehensive program be provided next year, even a mini carnival after Mahe.

Other Ministers are giving Praslin the attention it needs, such as Minister Benstrong. Minister Bastienne has yet to advise us what he is doing on crime and drugs for our island. We look forward to hearing from him.

Praslin does not accept being left back in the 19 th Century. We want to move into the 21 st century like La Digue. Today many Praslin residents are leaving for La Digue for job opportunities. Many are moving to Mahe for better opportunities and safer waters. Captain Valmont I hope you read this and take action to insure our waters are safe.

The time for Praslin dreams, desires, aspirations to be respected is now. We are not third class citizens in this country. Read this line, then you will all read our lips if you have to if you think Praslin will be your yard dog on your beck and call at your leisure.

If the cap fits, wear it!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May. God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

La société aux Seychelles de Cahuzac

Nom : « Jérôme Cahuzac ». Qualité : « Bénéficiaire de la société Cerman Group Limited, immatriculée aux Seychelles ». Dans les « Panama papers », tout est là, du montage complexe mis en place par l’ancien ministre du budget pourdissimuler son argent aux yeux du fisc français, passant par les Seychelles, Panama et les îles Samoa… jusqu’à son numéro de compte caché à Singapour, en 2009, avec la complicité de la banque suisse Julius Baer.

Les fichiers de Mossack Fonseca livrent de précieux secrets sur l’affaire Cahuzac. De petites pièces de puzzle qui achèvent d’éclairer à la fois la chronologie et le fond de cette fraude fiscale révélée par le site d’information en ligne Mediapart. Ainsi, c’est mi-2009 que s’organise le transfert vers l’Asie des avoirs cachés de Jérôme Cahuzac en Suisse, dans la banque UBS. Ils y étaient restés dissimulés depuis le début des années 1990.

Alors en pleine ascension politique, le futur ministre socialiste ne veut pas serésoudre à dévoiler son infraction. Redoutant d’être découvert par les autorités françaises et suisses, il décide de déplacer son argent plus loin du continent européen.

Société-écran contrôlée par une coquille vide

Mandatée par un cabinet suisse, Mossack Fonseca s’occupe de la « logistique ». Le 27 octobre 2009, deux sociétés sont interposées entre Jérôme Cahuzac et son compte bancaire secret, déplacé de Suisse à Singapour grâce à l’aide de la banque Julius Baer : une société-écran immatriculée au Panama, Penderley Corp., contrôlée par une autre coquille vide aux Seychelles, Cerman Group Limited. C’est à Penderley qu’est rattaché le compte.

Jamais l’homme politique n’intervient. Les factures de Cerman sont réglées par l’ex-avocat et conseiller financier Philippe Houman, comme en attestent des courriels datés de novembre 2009.

Pour opacifier davantage le montage, Cerman est pourvu d’une gouvernancefictive : au poste de « directeur », la société Pimura Consultancy Limited, domiciliée aux Seychelles avec des ramifications au Panama et aux Samoa ; au poste d’« actionnaire », une autre coquille vide, Talway InternationalCorporation. Leurs actes de naissance figurent aussi dans les « Panama papers ».

Lorsque les autorités françaises se mettent à enquêter sur la situation de Jérôme Cahuzac, en 2013, les Seychelles s’interrogent et questionnent Mossack Fonseca. Des documents montrant que Jérôme Cahuzac est le bénéficiaire réel du compte sont alors portés à la connaissance de la firme. Le 3 mai 2013, Mossack Fonseca met fin à sa collaboration avec Cerman Group en raison de ses liens avec l’homme politique français, « personnalité politiquement exposée » à haut risque. Cerman Group Limited est fermée en janvier 2015.

Au Monde, l’avocat de l’ex-ministre, Jean Veil, fait savoir que son client réserve ses explications aux juges, pour la réouverture de son procès, prévue le 5 septembre. L’entourage de Jérôme Cahuzac a toujours fait valoir que celui-ci n’avait jamais été associé aux montages financiers conçus par ses conseillers financiers.

Source: Panama Papers

Seychelles Tax Office Flops On Praslin meeting!

Seychelles Revenue Commission held a meeting in Pension Fund a Conference Room on Friday at 2:00- 3:00 pm. By 2:00 pm, the business community 50 or so strong, were present. The officers had problems with their laptop and power point, hence delaying the meeting for not less then 30 mins.
Neither the Minister Jean Paul Adam or the Principal secretary Patrick Payet were present.
The SRC presented their new program for reduction on deduction at source payments for the most challenged on payroll: workers earning at least SCR. 5600.00 per month. Basically government was affording this group a 9.8% tax on income as opposed to 15%.
The business community was outraged over government handling of this issue in such a parochial manner.

In the last meeting in November 2015, Christopher Gill chair of SCCI Praslin, requested on behalf of business community that Mr. Adam incorporate a tax reduction on those employees earning less then SCR. 10,000.00 per month. It was expressed that these employees are facing great hardship to make ends meet, and the tax burden is too burdensome on them. The SCR.10,000.00 threshold is the official poverty line.

The budget 2016 neglected to address this. It was President James Michel who took the initiative to address this issue after the results of the presidential election and Poverty Report For Seychelles was made public and stated that 49% of the population live below the poverty line. Hence panic spread in the ruling party rank and file.

The new threshold disregards this proposal and imposes high tax burden on the most vulnerable in society. This in turn affects job performance and commitment, because workers at the end of the month, work for nothing and cannot make ends meet in expensive Seychelles, perhaps the most expensive island state in the World.

Many expressed contempt for ministry of finance new proposal. Mr. Verlaque, Anse Kerlan said the math is complicated and will encourage non compliance and direct cash payments to workers. It will encourage workers to work in silence as temporary staffers.

Adrian Uzice, a charter operator, said the proposal is discouraging because it shows government is still taking business for fools. The policy does not address the problem at hand.

The same line was expressed by Captain William Rose who said: " the government is giving the Praslinoise a very bad deal, today our people are poor, broken, government must be very careful, very careful the People of Praslin are not fools".

It was requested by business community that a meeting be schedule with Minister Adam and Principal secretary Payet on Praslin to discuss these issues further, since it appears we are listen to, but we are not heard.

Seychelles FSA To Act On Panama Papers

The Financial Services Authority has expressed its concern about the revelations regarding Mossack Fonseca and Co (Seychelles) Ltd within the leaked "Panama Papers."

The FSA commented that it is "mandated, inter alia, to supervise and regulate the financial services industry in the Seychelles. … As such, the FSA condemns any act or attempt of money laundering, financing of terrorism, corruption, any criminal activity and malpractices especially by any of its licensees, regulated persons, or clients [that use] services within the jurisdiction."

The FSA said the Seychelles has "shown its steadfast commitment and adherence to international best practices, particularly in regards to the international initiatives relating to improving transparency. One result of that commitment has been the Seychelles obtaining a largely compliant rating by the OECD's Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in 2015, which attests to the mechanisms introduced to ensure that, amongst other things, ownership and accounting information is available in Seychelles."

"In a similar vein," it added, "the Seychelles became the 85th signatory of the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters on the February 24. 2015. The Seychelles also opted for early adoption of the Common Reporting Standards, the new standards in automatic exchange of information between countries developed by the OECD."

The FSA concluded that it "is confident that there is in place a robust legal and regulatory framework, including modern anti-money laundering legislation, to which licensed service providers are subject. In cases where any non-compliance and/or malpractices are identified, the relevant authorities in the Seychelles will intervene appropriately."

It confirmed it will be "undertaking further inquiries and examinations into this matter in order to establish the course of action that it shall be undertaking to ensure that the reputation of Seychelles is safeguarded."

Panama Papers: How the Seychelles saved Syria

Against the backdrop of recent territorial gains, the cessation of hostilities and a peace process in Geneva that is rumbling along, President Bashar al-Assad seems more secure than ever after five years of conflict in Syria.

When people ask how he managed to stay in power despite the country having its economy collapse in half, hundreds of thousands killed, one in two Syrians being forced from their homes and the conflict dragging in four of the five UN P5 members of the Security Council, you wouldn't necessarily think about the Seychelles.

Yet as the Panama Papers, the biggest leak in global history, has shown, the idyllic archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa has played its part in keeping Assad in the Presidential Palace in Damascus.

Inside Panama Papers: How the rich hide their money

What this demonstrates is that what appears from a distance to be an insular, authoritarian regime far more proficient in the tools of medieval warfare than modern capitalism, has actually used the levers of globalisation well to protect its interests.

Evasion of sanctions 

What the 11.5 million leaked documents reveal is that three Syrian companies close to the government - Maxima Middle East Trading, Morgan Additives Manufacturing and Pangates International - used the already infamous Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca to create shadow or shell companies in the Seychelles to avoid the increasing pressure of global sanctions.

Considering how near the regime was to collapse before the Russian intervention, this evasion of sanctions is fairly significant. The Panama Papers suggest it paid for fuel that kept Syria's Air Force helicopters and airplanes in the air.

Tsunami of PL Defectors Ready To Jump Ship on Captain Michel!

After 100 days self anointed grace period to resolve outstanding issues and change policy to make life what it should be in the " richest country in Africa", things do not look good for PL and Mr. Michel' s Administration.
Instead of building support in rank and file of the opposition, Mr. Michel now faces a Tsunami of defectors from Le Pep who are looking for a way out of the irrational policies, irradict vision.

MNA Defectors

The first group threatening to defect to the opposition are the same MNA's forced to vote themselves out of a pension for life. These individuals numbering 12 have said they were forced to vote for the pension slash in order to crush the monthly revenues for the SNP ex MNA's that stand behind Ramkalawan.

The hazing policy is not rooted in fairness as the PL state in their papers, but rather a vindictive and revengeful purpose deeply rooted in the Presidents character.
It is this personal sense of revenge, vendetta, that makes them despair under desperation for change under James Michel. One source said: " President Rene would never treat people this way, good or bad, we have served our country, a reduction in pensions would be fair, but a total cancellation shows us how mean spirited James Michel can be".

MLUH Fiasco Again and Again!

The other wing of defectors is brewing under the housing scheme that reduces repayment and payments by 25%. The residents are frustrated by Le Pep using them as election pawns, treating them like chickens in a cage as the creole proverb describes. The focus of this complaint is this: Sheikh Khalifa gave Le Pep all the money for 1000 houses, roads, infrastructure for Ile Preservans. It has been a gift. If Le Pep loves us, and cares for us, why do they charge us money for a gift from Sheikh Khalifa?
Note: Ile Preservans was a shock to Le Pep in the election results.

Ministers Ready To Jump !

Four Ministers appear ready to abandon ship and take their chances on the high seas in the Taunami wave ahead, that will finish the political legacy of James Michel. Still waters run deep they say. The handling or mishandling of the last two elections, waste of money, favoritism in the ranks has left its mark on the Consul of Ministers forever.

James Michel has insisted on protecting and keeping his pet ministers in spite of the their ability to get the job done without excuses- 1. Christian Lionnet, 2. Mitcy Larue 3. Eddith Alexander ( still in training so everyone has to put up with her failures).

Moral could not be lower. The bad energy could not be worse. The cracks are spreading into valleys to the point of no return as the fault lines widen and politically there is no return as the Tsunami of Defectors build up against Captain Michel.

I advise ministers joining the Tsunami of defectors, lay low, build up the energy, give Michel until June 5 th, 2016 to do the following:

1. Remove Christian Lionnet;

2. Remove Mitcy Larue;

3. Remove Zomn Lib from town;

4. Michel must create a National Reconciliation Committee;

5. Michel must order his Ministers to address and handle, reduce, resolve all cases of victimization under their ministeries in the next 100 days.

Ramkalawan Factor

Le Pep defectors are ready to jump Captain Michel's reef hardened ship . But they do not want Ramkalawan.
My advise to them is this: No one wants Ramkalawan. I will be the first to raise my hand in protest over Ramkalawan. His brothers and sisters do not want him. They caught him defrauding them. Based on his actions, he will likely defraud the people. We will deal with him.

In the meantime, he is not the cause of the suffering of the People, while foreigners frolick in our country like it is a Disneyland without charges and fees, and we Seychellois must live a life enslaved with pay as you go policies that threaten the well being of our children.

Mr. Michel, change your ways or Father Time will clock you!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Seychelles Gets Chaotic!

Our endeared country and people are under the grip of chaos. Each week the plot thickens, the ruling party makes a move, to release the pressure valves. Each week the pressure builds up the chaos gets worse, and sound decision making lacking on key desks, make small problems grow into mega - pressure problems.

Minister of Health Rental Fiasco

The Minister of Health Mitcy Larue went on Extra, Extra to announce that her offices will be moving into a SCR 12 Million per year rental office. Her new offices out did Eddith Alexander's offices at Oliaji Trade Center. There was an uproar in social media. PL was thinking no one is watching. The whole country today, is watching every move. It has been that way for some time. But PL have been late to understand the new dynamics of the power of social media. It is now transparency galore for PL. James Michel in reaction, immediately cancelled the decision by Cabinet order according to a press release. Then came the drugs in the family as NDEA harnessed a group of heroin peddlers which included ONE of Ministers sons. How could the week get more chaotic for the Minister?

Panama Papers Expose Seychelles
A hacker unwind the secrecy of Fonseka Offshore based in  Panama. They have a office in  Seychelles, right next to the USA Consular Offices, at Oliaji Trade Center. No doubt they must be paying the rent on time in these bad times. On CNN it was announced that over 1000 companies had links to  Seychelles and a hoard of money transactions were initiated in Seychelles. Among the client base is Seven persons of interest to the Seychelles General public.
The seams of Seychelles society and her culture of secrecy is coming apart. With it, offshore industry will die over night on this revelation. Offshore facilitators in PL and the opposition alike, will have to run for cover. I hate saying this, but here it goes:" I told you so".

Danny Faure Amends Constitution to Two Terms

The Vice President of Seychelles Danny Faure presented a Bill to National Assembly to amend the Constitution to limit the term of the President to Two terms of Five years. The timing is dubious. Faure limits his own term in future. The amendment precludes the Courts from ordering Michel to stand in a 3 rd round, if the 2 nd round being contested is determined not to be Free, Fair, Credible. It means James Michel will not stand a 3 rd round. He will sit it out. Faure will run.
All in all, it looks as if we will see a early retirement of Mr. Michel. Regardless, no one really ever had an issue with the 3 rd Term. The problem has been the victimization and corruption along with inept ideas in the 1 st and 2 nd term. The problem has been reducing our people to 3 rd class citizens in the 1 st and 2 nd term. This is the problem.

Opposition Name Calling Internal Fighting Over Money

The opposition under Ramkalawan typical after every election is fighting internally, calling each other names, closing Facebook pages, opening new ones, accusing leaders of stealing money ,taking money in the millions for the election and not sharing.

SNP people do not complain that their leaders take money from PL agents or key players. They complain that leaders did not share the money with them.

This is taking the term " Freedom Fighter" to new levels: " Male Whores" in my opinion.

A word of advise: none of you are freedom fighters. Freedom Fighters do not just talk, they act. Prepare yourselves to get serious about dialogue with PL and each other to address the issues facing us as a people. We need a change of mind set to move forward.

We must accept, our leaders have failed us grossly. It is time to wash up the smudges and clean up our act and take politics of our Nation seriously. We cannot do this if we are bickering over who stole what money in the last elections and who took what from whom. Suffice to say, it is a total disgrace.

As Chaos Sets In.......
As the chaos sets in on all sides, remember a few wise words. It is better to forgive then to hold a grudge all your life. The power to forgive allows us all to live for another day as individuals and as a Nation.
Those who breach the trust of the people, simply need to step aside, move on. Get a real job! It is at that time, that you will appreciate the work of Seychelles Chamber,and you will understand fully the gravity of our situation.

When failure has rooted itself deeply, we have in effect condemned the next generation, our children, to facing the reality of toiling in a country worse then when we came. Today, 40% of the population lives in poverty. Today, 39 % of the population goes to sleep at night without a balanced meal. Today, we have over 1,000 men in prison, and remand inmates who have not been convicted, are shot to death while in custody. Our children are failing in education,they leave unprepared for the real world. We have 4000 drug addicts of heroin,which too bad for us is now cheap on the international markets. We import 25% of our labor force, sucking SCR. 1.2 Billion per year in national revenue, for repatriated salaries over seas.

If you all think we are on the right track, then I believe you have all lost your mind.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom loving Seychellois!
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