⤢

President Dr. Patrick Herminie today visited the Seychelles Trading Company (STC), marking the first time a President has toured the company's facilities, in several years. The visit follows his announcement that he will personally lead the STC portfolio, as part of his commitment to bring down the cost of living for Seychellois families.

The President was accompanied by the Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Mr Pierre Laporte, and the Chairperson of the STC Board, Mrs Lekha Nair. He was welcomed by the company's new management team, led by Chief Executive Ms Iouana Pillay and Deputy Chief Executive Mr Ronny Brutus.

During his tour of the sorting facility, the bakery, the Gift Shop area and several warehouses, the President met staff and saw the company's day-to-day operations first-hand. The management briefed him on its plans to make STC the leading and most competitive trader in Seychelles, while keeping the prices of essential commodities low and safeguarding national food security.

Discussions also focused on the company's ageing infrastructure, with much of its equipment and facilities more than 25 years old. The President stressed the importance of preventive maintenance, noting that regular upkeep extends the life of equipment, avoids costly breakdowns and keeps essential goods moving without disruption. In turn, the management outlined its plans to modernise and digitalise STC's services, invest in new areas of business and expand its market to the hotel sector.

Speaking to the media after the visit, President Herminie said he wants to see a new STC by 2030, and he expressed his full support for the new management. He reiterated that STC's core mandate is to anchor prices, adding that he will do everything in his power to bring down the cost of living and give citizens better value for money.

The President also encouraged the management to look beyond Seychelles and learn from the experience of other countries in the region and across the African continent.