Seychelles+PNGSM

=No Chinese Companies Are Likely Involved In Seychelles Continued Search For PNGSM Deposits Because Of Recent Eastern Africa Discoveries=

Executive Summary:
There are likely no Chinese companies or government entities involved in Seychelles' recent efforts to discover PNGSM deposits. While Seychelles' efforts are just beginning, no reports of any Chinese involvement has occurred thus far. Australian energy company WHL Energy Limited, Japan's state oil firm, and Afren PLC are the only companies applying to receive exploration licenses in the Indian Ocean territory owned by Seychelles and Mauritius. Seychelles also has no strategic minerals that China would likely be interested in to feed its growing population and economy. Recently Seychelles became more interested in searching for natural resources because of other Eastern African resource discoveries.

**Analytic Confidence: **
Analytic confidence for this assessment is high. Source reliability ranges from medium to high. There is no conflict between sources. The analyst had low expertise, worked alone but collaborated with a team, and did not use structured analytic methods. The subject is moderately complex and the deadline was moderately difficult to meet.


 * Analyst**: David Bott