Seychelles
Business/social hints
Appointments: should be made in advance.
Attire for business meetings: men and women should wear smart casuals.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Business cards are exchanged after introduction.
Language: most executives speak English and/or French.
Laws: the minimum drinking age is 18 years.
Invitations: service charges are included in restaurant bills, therefore gratuities are not necessary.
Local time: GMT+4hrs.
Capital: Victoria.
Language: Creole, English and French.
Electricity: 240V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 248.
Driving: valid licence required.
Currency: Seychelles Rupee (SCR1 = 100 Cents)
Notes:SCR: 10, 25, 50, 100
Coins: SCR:1, 5.Cents: 5, 10, 25
Business hours
Banks: Monday-Friday 8.30am-2.30pm, Saturday 8.30am-11am.
Offices: Monday-Friday 8am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.
Shops: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-12pm.
Emergency Services
Police, Fire and Ambulance:999.
Clothing
Casual lightweights with light rainwear throughout the year.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from or travelling through infected areas or who have passed through partly or wholly endemic area within the preceding six days. Children under one year are exempt.
Weather
Tropical climate with warm and humid temperatures all year round. The year can be divided into two tradewind seasons. The southeast tradewind which blows fairly steadily from May until the end of September and the northwest tradewind from November until the end ofFebruary. The coolest period is between June and August and the hottest between December and April. Rainfall, in sudden sweeping downpours, is high and the wettest months are December andJanuary.
Victoria Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max/Min am pm (mm)
January 30 24 79 78 286
February 29 25 77 76 267
March 29 25 75 74 234
April 30 25 74 74 184
May 29 25 75 74 170
June 28 25 77 75 102
July 29 24 77 76 85
August 27 24 76 75 70
September 28 24 76 75 130
October 28 24 76 75 154
November 29 24 75 74 230
December 28 22 78 78 340
SeychellesInternational SEZ
Postal address: POBox 181, Victoria, Mahe.
Telephone: +248 373001.
Telex: 2239 DCA SZ.
Fax: +248 373222.
Transportation to citycentre: bus: fare SCR 3, journey time 20mins. Taxi: fare SCR 60.
Airport departure tax: SCR 100. Children under 12 years are exempt.
Flight information: tel 373001, available 24hrs.
Passport and Visas
Passports are required by all. Visas are required but not by nationals of the Seychelles. Other visitors must obtain a visitor’s permit which is issued on arrival and is valid for one month.
Customs
Import allowances
a) 200 cigarettes.
b) one litre of wine or spirits.
c) one small bottle of perfume.