President Danny Faure met with the members of Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), this morning at State House.

SCCI works closely with the business community and was created to provide analysis of the business and economic environment for both its members and policymakers.

Present for the meeting from SCCI was the Chairperson, Mr Oliver Bastienne, the Vice Chairperson, Mr Divino Sabino, and Councillors; Ms Marie Cecile Esparon, Mr Pierre Quatre, Mr Dolor Ernesta, Mr Norman Webber, Mr Cyril Bonnelame, Mrs Sheila Gonzalez, Mr Nelson Renaud and Mr Tony Souffe.

During his discussions with the members present, President Faure highlighted the importance of the meeting with SCCI at the beginning of the year, whereby it allows him to have an awareness of their plans, strategies, and constraints for the year ahead. He thanked all the members for their commitment to the organisation and urged them to continue the excellent work.

The Chairperson appraised the performance of SCCI for the year 2018 and explained the Chamber’s strategic plan for 2019. The plan includes capacity building and training forums with the private sectors, the proposed construction of a new Chamber house, and developing a much stronger relationship with the government and its respective partners. The members also shared with the President some of their concerns, including funding, tender processes, and a lack of consultation from certain sectors on the formulation of policies that concern the private sector.

President Faure reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue working in close partnership with the SCCI and underlined the importance of maintaining the already excellent relations between the government and the SCCI. He urged the members to widen their modes of communication so that members of the public are aware of SCCI and the services offered.

Also present for the meeting was Minister of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Mr Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; Secretary of State for Finance, Mr Patrick Payet; and Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Ms Sitna Cesar.