Country Report Seychelles March 2011

Outlook for 2011-12: Economic growth

Real GDP grew by an estimated 6% in 2010, ahead of expectations, because of strong growth in tourism, the largest sector, which has important links to the rest of the economy. Visitor arrivals jumped by 11% to an all-time high of 175,000 and receipts climbed even faster, pushing up domestic demand, directly and indirectly. Extra government spending and income tax cuts in October facilitated the rebound. Growth will remain fairly brisk during the forecast period, at about 4.4% in 2011 and 4.9% in 2012, although the pace of expansion will be slower than in 2010 when the economy rebounded from a contraction. Tourism, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, will remain the key growth engine in 2011-12, stimulating the wider services sector and encouraging investment in tourism projects. The improved availability of foreign exchange and investment in power and water supply will underpin expansion in manufacturing and construction. The impact of the sweeping reforms implemented since late 2008 will be felt in terms of low and steady inflation, greater currency stability and a more welcoming business environment. The debt restructuring concluded with commercial and official creditors in 2009-10 will free resources for investment and consumption in 2011-12. However, tuna canning (the main export activity) will be constrained by falling catches, and tourism will remain vulnerable to exogenous developments, including factors such as terrorism and prolonged economic weakness and lingering sovereign debt concerns in the euro zone. There is also a danger that super-luxury tourism developments will become increasingly isolated from the mainstream economy, thereby limiting the wider trickle-down effects of tourism on growth. Growth will also suffer if the government fails to stay on track with reforms.

© 2011 The Economist lntelligence Unit Ltd. All rights reserved
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