First toll free information helpline introduced |07 October 2015
The Seychelles Investment Board has launched its first ever information helpline after signing agreements with the four telecom service providers in the country.
The signing took place at its Caravelle House office yesterday morning.
The new helpline aims to improve consultative services provided during business start-ups and expansions by both local and foreign investors.
The agreement was signed by the chief executives of the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) Rupert Simeon, of Cable & Wireless Charles Hammond, the managing directors of Airtel Amadou Dina, of Kokonet Bernard Moutia and the chief operations officer of Intelvision Ltd Reza Jaro.
The four telecom companies also signed interconnect fee waiving agreements with one another for the purpose of implementing this project whereby customers from any of the respective telecom companies will not be charged for calls (voice and SMS) to the helpline number.
The department of information and communication technology (DICT) provided its help in deciding the telephone numbers and the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has agreed to apply the helpline stickers on its buses.
Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Minister Michael Benstrong, his principal secretary Marise Berlouis, principal secretary for the DICT Benjamin Choppy, among other distinguished guests witnessed the event.
On behalf of his ministry, SIB and the government of Seychelles, Minister Benstrong congratulated and thanked the four companies for this remarkable contribution which “just goes to show what can be achieved when the government and the private sector work together for the benefit of the local business community.”
He also urged the private sector as well as other government departments and parastatals to be more innovative and to continue to seek support from one another so that “we may realise our country’s economic development goals.”
Mr Simeon for his part remarked that a business idea can come up at any time of the day and any day of the week but the question is who to talk to and where to get the right advice.
“The SIB team decided that the best way to reach the future businessmen or women or even the existing ones is to introduce a toll free helpline where one can call during working hours from Monday to Friday or send an SMS anytime of the day and any day of the week at no cost. In this way SIB staff will get back to the caller and assist with inquiries,” he said.
In a press conference following the signing, the representatives from each company along with the minister shared more detailed information about the helpline.
The objectives and benefits of this helpline is to advise and help individuals on issues relating to the business environment, provide help to those who are unable to meet face to face with SIB, reduce the amount of time taken to obtain simple information, prevent congestion in office, answer quick questions and prevent time consuming and costly journey to the office for those living outside Mahé.
The term of the agreement is for a period of two years with the possibility for renegotiation at the end. The helpline numbers are 2615500 and 2815500. They will be operational from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.
