President James Michel visited several businesses in the districts of Anse Boileau and Anse Royale today, which forms part of a series of visits to various communities and businesses with the aim of sharing views on their entrepreneurial activities.
President Michel met with a lady at Anse Boileau who has her own hairdressing salon and who wishes to expand her business as she is getting more clients. He also visited as a craft workshop. The President then visited a farm at Montagne Posee which the owner also produces traditional cassava galette. He then visited a farmer at Anse Boileau, Hermitage and a poultry and egg farm at Anse Louis Upper.
President Michel then proceeded to the Anse Royale district, where he visited a young entrepreneur at Bougainville who is producing various kinds of chips, including banana and breadfruit types. At Sweet Escott, he met with the owner of a coffee and spice packaging workshop.
At Les Cannelles, Mr. Michel met a gentleman who has a crafting workshop as well as two entrepreneurs who have flower arrangement businesses at their residence. One of them also briefed him on her plans to renovate two rooms with the aim at renting as self-catering rooms. The President then ended his district visit at a farm at Anse Royale where he was briefed on an innovative way to plant different kinds of organic vegetables.
Following his visit, the President said that he was impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the Seychellois people in both districts and their desire to grow their businesses. He also noted the constraints that some of these businesses are facing and that a lot of emphasis should be put on facilitating permissions to do business, lease agreements, access to water, swift access to cargos at Customs among other issues.
“This visit has enabled me to see progress made in entrepreneurial activities and it was an opportune time for some of these business owners to share their concerns and difficulties that have to be addressed. I am pleased to see the spirit of innovation, and their determination to expand. Nevertheless, I encourage more young people to start a small business, be innovative, and to find ways to improve the traditional ways of producing local products ,” said the President.
President James Michel was accompanied by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Mr. Michael Benstrong, Principal Secretary for Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Mrs. Maryse Berlouis, the Member of the National Assembly for Anse Boileau, the Hon. Bernard Arnephy, District Administrator for Anse Boileau, Ms. Valcy Naiken, the Member of the National Assembly for Anse Royale, the Hon. Dereck Samson, District Administrator for Anse Royale, Mr. Jim-Roy Jeannevol.
Editor's note: