The Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) has officially opened a new facility at the New Port on Friday, 28 November 2025, as part of the Port Control Programme.
The ceremony was attended by government representatives, including the Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte, and officials from the international organisations affiliated with the programme.
In her address, SRC Commissioner General Marsha Singh noted that Seychelles is the 90th country to implement the Port Control Programme, an initiative jointly run by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Mrs Singh said that 192 frontline control units have been established worldwide across seaports, airports, dry ports and land borders. She added that these units have demonstrated that coordinated cooperation among agencies can produce measurable results, including the seizure of illicit drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and hazardous waste, while supporting the smooth flow of legitimate trade.
During the ceremony, enforcement agencies including the Customs division of SRC, the Seychelles Police Force, the Seychelles Ports Authority and the Biosecurity Unit signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise their cooperation in preventing illicit trafficking through the new facility.
Over the past two years, officers from these agencies have received theoretical and practical training facilitated by UNODC and WCO experts. Training took place locally and internationally, including sessions in Kenya and Vienna. According to SRC, these capacity building efforts have equipped officers with skills in risk management, profiling and analysis.
Minister Pierre Laporte said the development reflects Seychelles’ commitment to safeguarding its borders, protecting the economy and contributing to regional and global security.