Update on Fish Processing Zone, Ile Du Port

From the 8th to 12th February 2021, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MFBE) in partnership with the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), invited through public tender, Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ). The RFPQ targeted businesses/ companies/ joint ventures, wishing to be involved in projects involving the lease and development of fish processing facilities within the Fish Processing Zone, at Ill Du Port. This was done through advertisement in the local media; TV, print and online press.

An Evaluation Committee chaired by the Principal Secretary for Fisheries, Mr. Roy Clarisse was constituted, with representatives from the Blue Economy Department, SFA, SIB and the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) to evaluate the requests. A total of 13 requests where received.

On 10th March 2021, all applicants where informed of whether they had successfully passed the RFPQ stage or not, and in accordance with Section 98 of the Public Procurement Act 2008 and Regulation 164, applicants were also informed of their right to appeal if aggrieved by the decision of the Committee. An Appeals Committee independent of the Evaluation Committee is now in effect to hear any appeals logged.

Following the above legal process, successful applicants will be informed to submit their Request for Proposal to SIB. They will have 30 working days (until 19th May 2021) to comply, following which the Evaluation Committee will evaluate the submitted projects for qualification for land allocation. The Committee is expected to conclude the final evaluation for allocation by 31st May 2021.

We expect production to start by mid-2023, and the targeted processed products will be from tuna and tuna-like species, fresh, frozen, and cooked and pre-cooked predominantly for export.