Seychellois show desire to grow their businesses

President James Michel has said that he is impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the Seychellois people and their desire to grow their businesses.
“Today, Seychellois are really starting to engage themselves in business, especially small businesses. Some businesses want to grow and expand. This is good news and it shows that there are opportunities,” President Michel said.

He was speaking after making another visit to small businesses in the Mont Fleuri and Plaisance districts as part of a series of visits to various communities and businesses with the aim of sharing views and putting emphasis on entrepreneurial activities.

“The visit confirmed to me that the economic reforms which we undertook in 2008 were not only a necessity but were also very good for Seychelles because after we had created the foundation for our economic development, we’ve seen the transformation and today we see that Seychellois are really engaging themselves in business, especially in small businesses. Some businesses want to grow and expand. This is good news. It shows that there are opportunities for them,” said the President.

He was happy to hear of the knock-on effect that some businesses have on growth opportunities for others. 
“Visiting one workshop (Aubrey Adeline’s) at Rochon, made me realise that one business generates the necessity for the creation of other businesses from which these businessmen are outsourcing. This multiplies the effect of entrepreneurship. Congratulations to all Seychellois who have responded to the call of entrepreneurship,” said President Michel.

The President ended his visit at the new Rosebelle Meat Supply Store at Plaisance which was inaugurated earlier the same afternoon (see separate story on page 5). He toured the facilities with his delegation.

“I would like to congratulate Cherubin Morin, his son Jean-Pierre Morin and their family for this magnificent initiative. Their business will benefit the development of Seychelles, its prosperity and creation of wealth,” said Mr Michel.

The President’s first stop at Mont Fleuri was at Nigel Sinon’s carpentry workshop and he wants to expand his business. Lindy Cesar has an omnibus business and is doing contract services for companies and hopes to enter the taxi business as her father and brother are both taxi drivers.

The President then visited Aubrey Adeline’s design and printing workshop – Brux Design – at Rochon, where he viewed the expansion plans of the owner who is finding the market demand is high for his products. Mr Adeline and wife Shirley are currently doing designing and printing jobs like photographs and this helps to create more business for enterprises that engage in picture framing and large format printing.

In the same area, he visited a hairdressing salon belonging to Cindy Felisie as well as Jocelyn Youpa’s tailoring workshop, and then proceeded to a house in Copolia in the Plaisance district where he met Militna Dufrene, the owner of a child-minding business.

Young Richard Felix who has a home business at Copolia with potted plants and flowers also briefed the President about his business plans. He said he wants to move to a new location as the present one has become too small.

President Michel was accompanied by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Michael Benstrong; principal secretary for Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Maryse Berlouis; district administrators for Mont Fleuri and Plaisance -- Jency Volcère and Claudette Louise respectively; members of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri and Plaisance, Begitta Jeannevol and Roma Edmond respectively; and senior officials of the Office of the President.

The accompanying photographs show President Michel and his delegation during his tour at Mont Fleuri and Plaisance on Saturday.

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