Brief
Seychelles Vice President Pillay outlines UAE‑driven growth plan
Pillay says deeper UAE cooperation will underpin infrastructure, education and health projects.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In an interview with Gulf News, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay said the island nation’s partnership with the United Arab Emirates will be a cornerstone of its sustainable‑development agenda.
What happened
Pillay, a former mathematics teacher and long‑time parliamentarian, outlined a range of initiatives the government plans to pursue with Emirati support. He highlighted land‑reclamation projects aimed at expanding luxury tourism, investments in the blue economy and medical tourism, and the development of a financial‑services hub.
What the reports add
According to Gulf News, Pillay emphasized that Seychelles lacks the natural resources of many African neighbours and therefore must “tailor the economy around the resources we do have.” He noted that the bilateral relationship goes beyond diplomacy, describing it as “fraternal” with regular people‑to‑people exchanges. The interview also mentioned that the UAE’s global network can help Seychelles attract investors and that technology transfer will aid digital services, education and health.
What was said
"These roles gave me a broad understanding across sectors and a knowledge base beyond the areas in which I was originally trained," Pillay told Gulf News.
He added, "Through the UAE, we can benefit from progress in technology and digital development, which can help Seychelles improve services and strengthen our capacity to provide a more conducive environment for economic growth."
How it came about
The discussion follows a December 2025 reaffirmation of Seychelles‑UAE cooperation, building on earlier partnerships in renewable energy, education and security. Pillay’s appointment as vice president in October 2025 follows a 15‑year stint in parliament, during which he served as leader of the opposition and chaired the Finance and Public Accounts Committee.
Key facts
- Sebastien Pillay was appointed vice president of Seychelles in October 2025. (gulfnews.com)
- Seychelles and the UAE renewed their cooperation agreement in December 2025. (gulfnews.com)
- Pillay plans land‑reclamation projects to expand luxury tourism and infrastructure. (gulfnews.com)
- The UAE partnership is expected to aid digital development, education and health in Seychelles. (gulfnews.com)
- Seychelles will pursue investment in the blue economy, medical tourism and financial services. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Vice President Sebastien Pillay: How UAE ties spur Seychelles growth”
