President Wavel Ramkalawan accompanied by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, Mrs. Devika Vidot led a site visit at key locations of the Providence Industrial Estate namely; Zone 19, Zone 20, and Zone 20 extension, yesterday afternoon.

The objective of the visit was to obtain a first-hand view of some of the sites and pertinent challenges being encountered by the Industrial Estates Authority (IEA) at these key locations of the Providence Industrial Estate.

During the visit, in the presence of all the relevant authorities, the President was briefed onsite of the progress of works, challenges being encountered, and collectively identified key actions required for the way forward.

Some of the key issues raised included delays being encountered for infrastructure projects, encroachments issues, illegal dumping, undeveloped plots of land as well as leases where covenants have been breached among others.

Following the visit, during a meeting chaired by the President, instructions have been given for a thorough review of all existing leases, impending or delayed works to resume, and immediate action to be taken with those in breach of their agreements. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss how all the key partners present can work together to minimize bureaucracy and fast-track some of the internal procedures hence ensuring coordination between all the relevant organisations runs in a most efficient manner. 

The Providence Industrial Estate visit ended with a tour of the new IEA Offices now located at the ‘Leve Debrouye’ Micro-Enterprise Complex at Providence Industrial Estate.