President James Michel visited several businesses in the districts of English River and Mont Buxton today, which forms part of a series of visits to various communities and businesses planned this year.

President Michel met with a lady at Castor Road, English River, who has her own bakery. She shared with the President her experience, accomplishments and future intentions. Mr. Michel also visited a gentleman in that same district who has a swimming pool accessories business at his home who wishes to have new premises to run and expand his business. The President then visited a residence at Union Vale where the owner is running a garage business in a residential area.

President Michel then proceeded to the Mont Buxton district, where he visited a lady who is running a small guesthouse at her residence. He then met a young contractor who was presently on site in that district cleaning and maintaining the area. She briefed the President on the different constraints she was having in order get a loan for her business. Mr. Michel also visited garage whose owner is doing well but having difficulties to find long term workers.

At La Rue Hangard, the President met a lady who runs a child-minding business and ended his visit at an entrepreneur's home who has a snack and catering business.

Following his visit, the President said that he is encouraged with the entrepreneurial spirit of the people in both districts and their desire to grow their businesses. He called upon the respective Ministries to review the different structures available to facilitate access to loans. President Michel also noted the constraints of employing long term local workforce and said that a lot of emphasis should be put in educating and encouraging Seychellois to stay longer in their profession.

"This visit confirmed to me how the Seychellois entrepreneurs in English River and Mont Buxton really want to expand their small businesses. You can see that they have the determination and they want to grow... It is for this reason that institutions which lend money should review their different procedures and facilitate the access to loans, so that those small entrepreneurs can also benefit," said Mr. Michel.

President James Michel was accompanied by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Mr. Michael Benstrong, Special Adviser to the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development & Business Innovation, Dr Steve Fanny, the Member of the National Assembly for English River, the Hon. Kevin Vidot, the Member of the National Assembly for Mont Buxton, the Hon. Sheryl  Vengadasamy as well as senior officials in the Office of the President.

Editor's note:
• Photo caption: President Michel speaking to Ms. Moise; the owner of Virgo's Bakery at Castor Road, English River.