Micro-enterprise complex another major step in the growth of SMEs |27 June 2015

The Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Michael Benstrong, has said the Providence Industrial Estate has received another asset which will go a long way in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He added the country continues to witness more and more innovative ideas as our entrepreneurs, especially our younger generation, continue to adopt and apply new technology in the way of doing business.

The minister said this during the official opening yesterday of the Micro-Enterprise Complex christened ‘Leve Debrouye’ at Providence.

Present at the opening was President James Michel; Vice-President Danny Faure; ministers Jean-Paul Adam, Mitcy Larue, Wallace Cosgrow, Alain St Ange and Christian Lionnet; the acting Chief Justice D. Karunakaran; the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, the Chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet; President of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.

It was President Michel himself who unveiled the plaque and sculpture marking the inauguration of the complex.

“This ‘Micro-Enterprise Complex” under the theme ‘Leve Debrouye’ marks another big step forward in our progress towards the development of small and medium emterpises in our country,” said Minister Benstrong.

He also noted the obstacles of beginning a business like access to credit or financial assistance, rental in the private sector which is exorbitant.

He described the ‘Micro-Enterprise Complex’ as concrete evidence that the government, under the leadership of the president, has recognised the concerns and calls of the small businesses and has responded to them.

The project to construct the building started in 2013 and has been financed by the Social Security Fund (now the Welfare Protection Agency). It has cost a total of R40 million and has 59 workshops and offices. These will be rented out to small businesses in such activities as craft, tailoring, equipment repair like air conditioning, solar panels, small scale food preparation and offices that provide professional services.

He said the government has plans to construct other such buildings. They will be on Ile du Port and at Anse Boileau as was revealed in a demonstration by Yves Choppy, principal secretary for project planning and implementation in the Ministry of Land Use and Housing.

Praslin and La Digue will also benefit and parcels of land have already been identified there.

“The support given to small businesses is to make sure that the country creates more wealth. It is for this reason that my ministry is putting emphasis on relooking at factors that are affecting the development of small and medium businesses,” said the minister, while urging the small businesses to seize the opportunity being offered by the government and make the most of it.

Yesterday’s ceremony started with a welcoming remark by the chief executive of the Providence Industrial Estate Vic Tirant, who said the building, which will be managed by the authority, will go a long way towards assisting a number of local SMEs who find it difficult to get affordable renting premises.

He said the businesses which will occupy the premises are engaged in manufacturing, tailoring, local craft, small scale food production to name some.

He remarked that the project forms part of President Michel’s relentless efforts to provide better facilities and environment for small local businesses and described the day as a special one in the development of small businesses.

He then urged all tenants to work hard and make a success of their enterprise.

Father David Alcindor and Reverend Danny Elizabeth from the Catholic and Anglican churches respectively then blessed the building.

A young entrepreneur, Iwana Pillay, had a vote of thanks for the occasion for all entrepreneurs especially the young ones.

She also announced the launch of the Young Entrepreneurs Association next month.

The ceremony was also highlighted by reading of poems based on the national theme ‘I Love Seychelles’ by students from Praslin secondary school;  a song entitled ‘GLOW” by Ashley Barallon urging all concerned to strive in their business and entertainment by artists Antoinette Dodin and Reuben in the song ‘Leve Debrouye’.