The Seychelles Blue Economy A Pathway to Prosperity Mr The Seychelles Blue Economy A Pathway to Prosperity Mr. Chrissant Barbe Principal Policy Analyst Blue Economy Department Vice President Office Peaceful Island Life

Outline of the presentation The Blue Economy of Seychelles The road map Existing opportunities within the Blue Economy of Seychelles

Second largest EEZ in Africa SEYCHELLES Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.37 million km2 Land area of just 455 km2, and, Population of only 94, 000 mainly concentrated on 3 islands, Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, Just a back ground on the Blue Economy of Seychelles As can be seen on the slide, it is a geographical pic the EEZ of Seychelles….. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.37 million km2 Land area of just 455 km2, and, Population of only 94, 000 mainly concentrated on 3 islands, Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, Its important to note that Sez…is Second largest EEZ in Africa Exclusive Economic Zone 1.37 million sq km Second largest EEZ in Africa

The Seychelles Blue Economy All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts. Scope includes: Activities which explore and develop ocean resources; Activities which use ocean space; Activities which protect the ocean environment; Activities which use ocean products as a main input; and Activities which provide goods and services to support ocean activities. There is no exact universal definition for BE, but for Seychelles the BE entails:

Blue Economy – A Strategic and Policy Roadmap Seychelles Cabinet approved Blue Economy Roadmap on 31st January 2018 An integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development which brings together economy, environment and society, consistent with the Sustainable Development Agenda (2030). It builds on Seychelles' laws and policies, which articulates Seychelles “Blue Economy Brand” as a unique comparative advantage, based on sustainability credentials and proposes a prioritized agenda for action and investment to 2030.

Blue Economy – Vision. Goals. Principles. “To develop an ocean based/blue economy as a means of realizing the national’s economic, social and cultural potential through innovation, knowledge based approach, being mindful of the need to conserve the integrity of Seychelles Marine Environment and heritage for present and future generations”

Blue Economy – Conceptual Strategic Policy Framework Priority 1: Creating sustainable wealth Which aims at Diversification of existing sectors: fisheries, tourism ports value adding; Exploring emerging sectors (mariculture, energy, biotechnology, digital connectivity, trade) feasibility, pilot projects. Priority 2: Sharing prosperity Which aims at creating a Business environment; local investment, innovation, SMEs, entrepreneurship Priority 3: Securing healthy and productive oceans Which aims at Protecting marine &coastal assets and threats reduction (MAPs, Marine pollution Climate resilience mitigation (Blue C, energy) and adaptation

Opportunities for the Youth Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Opportunities for the Youth Academia/ Research Employment/ Training Investment There are immense opportunities for youth that will stem from this development – mainly focused around the areas of academia/ research, employment and training and investment. Over the next few slides – we will see a general overview of the opportunities that would be made available through key sectors.

Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Job Opportunities Various Qualified Professionals on board vessels Working on oil/gas offshore drilling units Qualified professionals in Maritime Administration, Maritime Training Institution and Port Services Marine Surveyors Cargo Surveyors Lecturers Marine Pilots Working for Marine insurance Maritime Professionals would be required in a majority of the relevant sectors to the Blue Economy – be it fisheries, port development, mineral/ oil exploration, shipping and trade.. By way of example – there would be a need for (list the above) All of these would very relevant and very key aspects to the effective functioning of the Seychelles Blue Economy.

Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Fisheries Industry Processing/ Value Addition (E.g. Tuna) Development of Tuna Fishing fleet Retail/ Distribution Centre for Marine Equipment Maintenance and Repair Aquaculture/Mariculture So let’s take for example the fisheries sector – some key areas that will be require youth invovlement include

Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Development of Ports Seychelles hopes to develop into a key transhipment port and processing hub over the next few years. Renovation & Expansion of Ile Du Port Development of the Tuna Industry  Regional Tuna Industry Examples of employment opportunities: Port managers Pilots Engineers Given Seychelles’ ideal location in the Indian Ocean, one of the key aims through the Blue Economy – would be to develop into a key transshipment port and processing hub over the next few years.

Research and Academic/ Professional Training Programs Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Research and Academic/ Professional Training Programs National Institute of Science, Innovation and Technology UNISEY – Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) Scientists Students (Undergraduates, masters and PhD) Practitioners One of the key themes emanated by the Blue Economy concept is research and the development of academic and professional training opportunities stemming from the development of various industries under the umbrella of the Blue Economy concept. There are already in place a number of key educational and training institutions in place – including the University of Seychelles, the Blue Economy research institute, the Maritime training and centre amongst others. Through our current efforts, Seychelles hopes to position itself as a key research hub regionally.

Tourism Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. Eco-tourism Integrated Tourism Projects Niche Hotels Fostering cultural/ traditional experiences – e.g. Restaurants, Bazars Sports/ Recreational activities e.g. Yacht Marinas, Dive centres Tourism has and always remain a pillar of the Seychelles economy. And we will be focusing on……………………….

National Priority areas - ANHRD Blue Economy – Strategic Opportunities for Investment. National Priority areas - ANHRD Fields of Study Priority 1 Medicine, Teaching, Accounting & Finance, Tourism & Hospitality Management, Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, Fish Veterinary, Fisheries Science Priority 2 Information Technology, Dentistry, Statistics, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Food Science and Food Safety, Transport and Logistics, Environmental Science Priority 3 Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Marine Engineering, Navigation, Bio-medical Engineering/Science, Agricultural Science, Agronomy Priority 4 Pharmacy, Telecommunication, Journalism Priority 5 Architecture, Renewable Energy, Land/Quantity Surveying In fact, based upon research developed by ANHRD (Agency for National Human Resources Development), we observe that key industries related to the Blue Economy are amongst the top priority in national priority areas for youth employment and education. There is incredible scope and opportunities for the youth.

DEPARTMENT OF THE BLUE ECONOMY VICE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE Thank you DEPARTMENT OF THE BLUE ECONOMY VICE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE