This statement is issued in response to public commentary and media coverage regarding imports associated with the Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.
As part of its internal review of certain activities observed by the current Administration upon assuming office, including the discovery of an unauthorized garage operation at State House and an ongoing audit of fixed assets, a formal request was made to the Seychelles Revenue Commission for records of all goods imported under the Office of the President’s Tax Identification Number over the preceding five years.
In responding to this request, the Seychelles Revenue Commission inadvertently included, alongside the records of the Seychelles Presidency, import records associated with a separate Tax Identification Number registered to the Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
The Government notes with concern the content of the information provided. This includes the volume of items recorded across all parties, as well as the nature of certain items imported under the Seychelles Presidency’s Tax Identification Number, which have raised questions that warrant further scrutiny.
Accordingly, the Government has initiated a formal investigation into the imports associated with the Office of the President of Seychelles. As this investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on its specifics at this time. The Government will communicate further findings to the public as and when it is appropriate and responsible to do so.
The Administration remains committed to transparency and to the responsible management of public resources, and will not allow irregularities of this nature to go unaddressed.