US embassy promotes e-Commerce among women entrepreneurs in Seychelles |30 September 2020

The United States (US) embassy, in collaboration with the Seychelles Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning and Enterprise Seychelles Agency (Esa), has launched a series of three Facebook Live sessions on Women in e-Commerce from 2pm to 3:30pm from September 29 to October 1.

It can be viewed at : https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.portlouis

This will be followed by one-on-one virtual consultations for ten Seychellois women entrepreneurs with an American e-Commerce expert, Dr Theresa Carrington. Dr. Carrington is the Founder and chief executive of Ten by Three, a non-profit that helps women artisans in developing countries sell their products in over 275 retail stores in the United States as well as through e-Commerce platforms. Her organisation works with almost 3,000 artisans in Bangladesh, Ghana, Togo, Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

A half-day working session on how to create an enabling e-Commerce environment in Seychelles has also been planned with key stakeholders for October 6 at the Eden Bleu Hotel.

The International Economics Consulting Ltd based in Mauritius will virtually lead the working session and submit a report with recommendations on the way forward to the Seychelles Ministry of Finance.

These activities have been funded by the Department of State, through the Economic Bureau’s initiative – Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise – or, POWER.

The long-term effectiveness of women’s economic empowerment efforts depends on strong, active professional female networks. Through U.S. diplomatic missions, POWER works with the private sector to help establish and strengthen these networks and elevate relevant policy issues to support women expanding their businesses and overcoming barriers in the formal economy.

The importance of eCommerce has never been more apparent than it is right now, as enterprises find new ways to do business. The success of global economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic depends on our ability to include all citizens in the economy, especially women. This series of Facebook Live sessions aims to support the development of the e-Commerce sector in Seychelles and promote women’s participation in the digital economy.

Press release from the US embassy, Port Louis