Русский
Talks between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Patrick Herminie of the Republic of Seychelles have been taking place at the Kremlin and is the first-ever meeting between the two countries’ presidents.
The parties are expected to discuss pressing issues related to the development of political, trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as international and regional affairs.
The USSR was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Seychelles in 1976; the two countries established diplomatic relations on June 30, 1976.
The tourism industry is currently the focus of bilateral economic ties. Since 2015, Russian nationals have been able to enter the Seychelles visa-free for up to 30 days. Over 35,000 Russian tourists visited the country in 2024, while in 2023, the number exceeded 38,000. Russians now account for about 15% of tourist arrivals to the Seychelles, worth an estimated US$180 million in revenues to the Seychelles economy.
Bilateral trade between Russia and the Seychelles stood at US$3.3 million in 2021, according to data from Russia’s Federal Customs Service. More recent data has not been made public, however the trade mix includes Russian exports of mineral oils, machinery and equipment, while the Seychelles exports fish, seafood and spices.
The two countries also maintain humanitarian cooperation. Seychellois nationals can study in Russian universities based on a government-funded scholarship program. Russia also helps retrain Seychellois police officers and intelligence agents.
