President James Michel visited small businesses in the districts of Takamaka and Baie Lazare this morning, as part of a new series of visits to various communities and businesses this year.
The President undertakes such visits in order to listen to people about their ideas and concerns in the social and economic development of their districts.
He met with two families at Bougainville who are producing various kinds of chips, including banana and breadfruit types, as well as a mechanic at Anse Forbans, who is expanding his workshop. The President then visited a farmer at Quatre Bornes as well as a farmer at Anse Gaulette, as well as two different carpentry workshops at Takamaka, a bakery at Val Mer, a fruit and vegetable seller at Quatres Bornes and a craft maker at Anse à la Mouche.
Following his visit, the President said that during his discussions with the small business owners it was clear that they did not have information on the services available to them to develop their businesses.
“People do not know enough about the facilities that the Government has put in place that can help them in their business. We need to help them and give them more information on the media, and the ministry must be more proactive in going around the country and talking to the small business people and giving them information on how to develop their business and to grow their businesses. I think there should be more consultation, more interaction so that they can receive the necessary advice,” said Mr. Michel.
The President said that he was encouraged by the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the people in the southern districts of Mahe.
“I think there is a lot of interest and some people are taking it on themselves to start a business and I think we have to promote these businesses more and also make people aware of all the opportunities that exist, the potential that exists…there’s a lot of potential. Today I have visited most of the businesses that are on land but as we turn towards the Blue Economy which is the new frontier for development, there are also opportunities that are waiting for us to tap in the ocean…I will continue to do what I can to empower the Seychellois to take ownership of the economy in every possible way,” he said.
He also noted that the small business owner complained to him about the difficulties they had in hiring people to work for them that are reliable and trustworthy, due to effects of social ills such as drugs and alcohol abuse.Mr Michel said that the country would persevere to battle the social ills which he said is an ongoing battle which the government and society at large would continue to do the best that they can to tackle.
President James Michel was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Mrs. Maryse Berlouis, District Administrator for Takamaka Mr. Paul Ernesta, District Administrator for Baie Lazare, Ms. Joyce Lepathy, the Member of the National Assembly for Takamaka, the Hon. Alderic Bristol and senior officials of the Office of the President.
Editor's note