rty (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS
Other political or pressure groups:
trade unions; Roman Catholic Church
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Elections:
note:
presidential and legislative elections are scheduled to be held once the
new, multiparty consititution is ratified later this year
President:
last held 9-11 June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results - President
France Albert RENE reelected without opposition
People's Assembly:
last held 5 December 1987 (next to be held mid-1993); results - SPPF was the
only legal party; seats - (25 total, 23 elected) SPPF 23
Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple)
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal, Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977)

*Seychelles, Government

Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO
chancery:
(temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
(212) 687-9766
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Matthew F. MATTINGLY
embassy:
4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria
mailing address:
Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, or Box 148, Unit 62501, APO AE
09815-2501
telephone:
(248) 25256
FAX:
(248) 25189
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band
is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest

*Seychelles, Economy

Overview:
In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs
about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency
earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment
in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the
government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting
the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $350 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-4.5% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,200 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (1990 est.)
Unemployment r