Speech by President Michel on the occasion of National Day June 18, 2005-'Success is there for us to see and success also lies ahead' |20 June 2005
This was an important stage in our history. It was a decisive moment, the beginning of a new phase in the development of our young nation.
All Seychellois are moved when we hear our national anthem.
All of us feel proud when we behold our national flag.
The first sentence to the preamble of our Constitution expresses our gratitude to Almighty God that we live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The following articles are equally significant. All Seychellois who have the interests of their fellow citizens at heart, who love their country, who uphold the spirit of solidarity and believe in social justice, human dignity, democracy and respect for the law … identify themselves with our Constitution and national symbols.
This is what we are celebrating today.
Our National Day brings us together to manifest the values that unite us as a nation, a nation that is proud and continually progressing.
It is heartening when all of us -- children, youths, adults and the elderly -- come together in a spirit of fraternity and unity.
Dear Seychellois, let me say how proud and happy I am that we have joined together to mark this special day in peace and harmony.
In a modern world often divided and weakened by various conflicts, our small country may serve as an example of a nation united and strengthened by our common interest and respected internationally.
On our National Day today, we are honoured by the presence of our special guest from the Republic of South Africa.
People of Seychelles, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in bidding a warm Kreol welcome to our islands to Mrs Manto Tshabala Msimang, the Special Envoy of President Thabo Mbeki to our National Day celebrations.
Madam Minister,
It is a pleasure and an honour to have you with us on our National Day. Your presence testifies to the warm ties of friendship and growing cooperation between Seychelles and South Africa. It also testifies to the importance that we attach to the values we have in common: notably social, moral and economic progress; the rule of law; social justice; the welfare of our people; and democracy…
We are part of the great continent of Africa. We also share the great African dream and the aspirations of our continent. Africa has tremendous potential, and it is claiming its rightful place in the world.
Let me reassure you that the concept of “African Renaissance”, which the Republic of South Africa has championed, is also very close to our heart here in Seychelles as we too, draw inspiration from it to bring about sustainable growth, stability, peace and equitable participation in the world economy.
Please feel at home, and let us learn from each other’s experiences.
People of Seychelles,
When I took the oath as President of our country, I said I needed your support in order to accomplish our new mission. And we have achieved a lot. When I look ahead, I see a people who are determined to defend the progress we have made together, and who are ready to face the challenges that await us. We will make it if we seize all the opportunities that come our way; if we use the resources and tools at our disposal wisely.
I also stressed that the key to our success is national unity. I say it again today – national unity remains and will continue to be the key to success and the progress of our country. It is because of national unity that we have brought people together to talk, to offer ideas and to participate in national forums. Unity has enabled us to formulate a new development programme which we are implementing for the benefit of all our people.
You will recall that I also made a pledge that my government and I will always listen to what the people have to say, and that we will engage in consultations and dialogue. I have kept my word.
I am still engaged in national consultations. Presently, I am listening to citizens at the level of their communities and districts. Government has to remain in close contact with people. Through this experience I will have a good idea of the feelings of our communities, the matters preoccupying them, the type of development they wish to see, and how they can contribute to help our country move ahead.
Every time I meet with our citizens, they show their appreciation and acknowledge we are making progress. Our citizens in the meetings have also expressed the need for us to continue on the road that we have laid out. They also expressed their worries and concerns. The issues that come out more often are: (i) the cost of living; (ii) employment; and (iii) housing. There are, of course, other problems that we have to take up, but these three are our preoccupation.
Cost of living
The world has become a global village. Because of the revolution in communications and information technology, and also trade liberalization, our world is different. We now have to face globalization.
Globalization affects all countries … big and small.
In this modern world we have to undertake reforms in order to survive. But reforms do not mean unrestrained liberalization. Such a system would bring us hardships. We always have to be conscious of the results and consequences of the changes we make. We are protecting the interests of our people, and for this our Government has their support.
When we talk about the cost of goods we have to be conscious of what is happening in the world. When the price of oil increases, for example, this has an impact on the cost of production, transportation and insurance of goods and materials we import. The situation becomes more difficult with fluctuations in exchange rates.
There are other factors that affect the cost of living here in Seychelles. There are distortions in the trading practices in our country. You know that import permits are no longer required since January 2005, except for certain restricted items such as medicines and essential commodities. Trades tax on some 250 items has been reduced, some to zero, and among the 250 items there are more than 50 which we use in our daily lives. We have also brought forward by one year trades tax reductions on many commodities.
What do we see? We have witnessed an increase in the varieties of products in the shops. There are also big differences in prices. And this is causing frustration among people. Although there are more goods in the shops people are complaining that they are expensive.
Some traders are not helping the situation. Government is reforming the economy in good faith. But in order for all people and consumers to benefit, it is important that all those concerned play their part and cooperate. One of the practices that are causing an increase in prices is over-invoicing.
It is normal that businesses make profits. It is also in the interest of all that the profit is fair and not excessive. Let us not think only of our personal gains, but also the welfare of the community and the society we are part of.
Government will continue to do its part to help reduce the cost of living. At the same time I will continue to ask the private sector to also assume its responsibility in this national effort.
Employment
Another concern is the employment situation in the country.
As a people we have to ask ourselves what is it that we have to do to improve the employment situation. We have to improve productivity in our workplaces. We have to do our work conscientiously and properly. We must have an open mind and be ready to take up opportunities available, especially when we are about to join the world of work, instead of remaining idle.
When we work we obtain a salary. All work is noble and contributes to the dignity of a human being.
The employment situation in Seychelles can be improved. And we will adopt a strategy with the following elements:
- A programme to facilitate job-seekers to take up permanent employment
- Skills development scheme
- Apprenticeship scheme
- Promotion of small businesses
- Unemployment relief scheme
- Environment maintenance in districts
- Creation of small enterprises in districts
We are targeting all people who are not in employment, who are registered as unemployed and who really want to work. The different programmes will facilitate their eventual permanent employment.
Government will provide the resources and means to ensure the success of the programmes.
We will review the apprenticeship and training schemes to better develop the competencies of our young people to prepare them for employment.
For this we will work closely with employers in the private sector.
Perhaps it should be the case that all of us – government, the private sector as well as job-seekers – must change our way of looking at things.
We have to find out why some of our people, even after training, do not want to take up a job or are facing difficulties to find employment at the same time that businesses are applying for permission to bring in expatriate labour.
All the employment opportunities available in the country today have been created for our people and we wish that we avail of these whilst government continues with its programme of investment to generate even more jobs in all sectors.
Another element of our strategy covers the two principal sectors of tourism and fishing which we want to develop further.
Our programme for the development of the tourism sector is already in place and is beginning to bear fruit.
The long-term development strategy for fisheries is being prepared in consultation with the principal stakeholders of this key industry.
New investments will generate up to 3000 additional jobs in the tourism sector in the next 2 to 3 years, and 500 jobs in the fishing industry.
We will intensify our efforts to localize as many posts as possible.
Next year some 250 young men and women will graduate from the SHTTC and steps are already being taken to facilitate their employment in the industry. For those who really want to work, there will be no shortage of jobs. Their future is in their hands.
Some 10 hotels, medium and large, are undergoing renovation or expansion or being built, over the next two years.
The Northolme is under expansion, the Barbarons is undergoing renovation, and the Banyan Tree is adding more rooms. Others are the projects at Port Launay, Petite Anse, Eden off Roche Caiman, the Transit Hotel near the International Airport, Allamanda and developments on Silhouette and the outer islands.
These projects will require many workers.
The developers of these hotel projects have made it clear that they prefer having Seychellois in the different posts because they want their clients to have an authentic experience, a Creole experience. Of course, this is what our government too wants.
I expect that all our people, especially the youth, will seize the employment opportunities. At the same time I appeal again to management in the tourism industry to ensure the right conditions to attract and retain Seychellois workers in this industry, one of the most important in our economy.
A third and important element in our strategy to generate employment and wealth in our country is the creation and promotion of small businesses.
The agency for the promotion of small enterprises, SEnPA, is playing a key role in this. The opportunity to participate in business activities and the creation of wealth today is open to all. Our aim is to develop small and medium-size businesses so that all our people may participate in the economic development of our country.
The 2005 Budget took a big step to facilitate things and made provisions to enable people who wish to do so to participate in the development of our economy.
We are promoting small economic activities in the home, what we call cottage industry.
This is suitable for people who have a certain skill or talent and see an opportunity and who prefer to work at home, to earn their livelihood or supplement their income.
It is pleasing to note that many people are availing themselves of the opportunities of cottage industries. Small businesses enable many more people to use their initiative and creativity and contribute to a more vibrant economy.
Since the promotion of cottage industries in July 2004, more than 300 activities have been registered. There are about 100 families who earn their livelihood from cottage industry activities.
Following the promotion campaign launched by SEnPA in collaboration with the national media, more people have applied to start a cottage industry activity.
Facilities for small loans have been established.
I invite people seeking employment, especially the youth, to consider the opportunities cottage industries offer.
We must develop our entrepreneurial spirit to enable us to produce more for import substitution, our own consumption and also export.
Government will continue to encourage and protect local production. At the same time there is a need to continually improve the quality of our local products and to have reasonable pricing.
Housing
After education and health, housing is the social sector in which the government invests the most.
Our government has built a lot of houses. And we will continue to build more houses, because we believe that a person should have a proper roof over his or her head and this should be based not solely on his or her ability to pay, but also on need.
We also have to realize that despite all the efforts and resources the government has invested in housing, it is not possible to meet the needs of everybody at the same time.
I am aware how many people have a housing need. I understand their situation. I want to tell our brothers and sisters who are waiting for a house of their own that their need will be addressed. Our Government remains committed to its housing policy.
In 2004, 372 families moved into new houses built by the government, 587 obtained loans to build houses on their own land, and 146 received financial assistance to build on their parents’ land.
The construction of 205 houses will be completed in 2005. Another 508 are also being built. Another project is the urgent rehabilitation or reconstruction of 235 houses which are in a poor condition.
The development on Perseverance Island and projects on Aurore will be a major boost to our housing programme.
We will pursue our efforts in housing in accordance with our means. At the same time, the tenants and owners of houses have to take their responsibilities seriously. We ask them to maintain their homes well. We also ask them to pay their rents and reimburse the loans on time. Let us give a thought to our fellow citizens who are waiting for a house. We have to bear in mind that the revenue the government collects from rent and loan repayments goes into the construction of new houses.
People of Seychelles,
We have accomplished a lot together in one year. We will achieve a lot more in the future if we continue to pull in the same direction. Your support is a great encouragement. It is your confidence that has helped me to do the things I said I would do.
From fiscal and monetary reforms; structural and administrative reforms; the introduction of incentives for agriculture, fisheries and tourism; trade liberalization; support for small businesses; reductions in trades tax and business tax; the opening of foreign exchange accounts by private individuals in banks; more transparency in government … all these are areas where we have made progress.
I will fulfill the commitments I have made. I consider this as a contract between the people and myself.
I will now say a few words on other changes taking place.
Health
In the 2005 Budget speech I said I would put in all my effort to help improve our health services.
I have made this a priority and I will continue to monitor closely what is happening in our hospitals and clinics in order to achieve the results we all wish to see.
I am encouraged and pleased with what we have done so far.
We are modernising the key units at the hospital such as the theatre area and the casualty area. The laboratory has been rebuilt and is now equipped to carry out more advanced tests. New, more advanced equipment has been installed. A second scanner will be in place before the end of the month, and will be followed by other equipment for improved diagnosis later.
The Baie Ste Anne Hospital which serves Praslin and La Digue will soon receive its own X-ray and ultra-sound equipment. It will also have the services of a full-time gynaecologist and a surgeon for minor operations.
All the health centres have received new equipment to facilitate their functions and to improve their working environment.
We have set up a child development centre at English River with a full-time doctor.
The number of cataract patients awaiting operation has been reduced from 400 to 100. By the end of 2005, all cataract cases on the waiting list will have been dealt with. The list of cases on the X-ray waiting list has been cleared.
Government will continue to improve the health service in other ways, including professional training and improved working conditions, the availability of a variety of medicines, and the introduction of new equipment in line with our aim to provide a greater range of treatment locally.
At the same time, we have to be conscious that all this costs a lot, especially for a small country with a small population. It is important that we make good use of the resources that we have, and avoid wastage. This concerns the health staff and also each and every one of us who needs that service.
I take this occasion to thank all the people who are contributing to the improvement of the health services; the doctors, nurses and all the staff in the hospitals and health centres and the Ministry in general. I also wish to thank individuals and organizations that have donated equipment.
Investment
Investment applications in our country that are either local or foreign, are handled by the Seychelles Investment Bureau. The institution is functioning well.
This is the place where Seychellois and foreigners go to facilitate all investments in the country.
We want Seychelles to become a place where it is easy to present an investment project, to start and do business. If we want to create more wealth and give the Seychellois more opportunities to do business, we also have to be resolute in our effort to render it easier to invest in Seychelles.
The Investment Bureau will next month celebrate its first year of existence.
During that period the institution has approved more than 100 development projects valued at around R1 billion. There are three major categories of investments: (i) tourism; (ii) residential and commercial projects, (iii) industrial projects. The tourism projects total some R800 million and these represent foreign direct investment (FDI), projects by Seychellois-foreign partnerships, or projects by Seychellois alone. In the other sectors of investment, the majority of promoters are Seychellois.
This amount of investment is an indicator of the high level of confidence which foreign investors and our own people have in Seychelles. It is a good sign for our economy when we see Seychellois developers taking the lead in big investments such as the Port Launay and Anse Louis projects.
I am glad that our own Seychellois are responding to the appeal I made for them to participate in major investments in our country.
I am also happy that investors are offering to sell shares to give the public the opportunity to participate in business ventures.
The Investment Bureau has also been busy with the preparation of an investment code which will be presented to the National Assembly next month. The code will provide the legal framework for investment in Seychelles. It will cover protection for investments, incentives and the procedures for dealing with disputes that may arise.
As part of its other functions, the Investment Bureau is engaged in a study aimed at clearing obstacles to investment and promoting a more investor-friendly environment.
Privatisation
The objective of our privatization programme is to enable the Seychellois to own shares in the parastatal companies, and participate actively in the economy of the country. Equally our other aim is to protect employment.
The privatization programme is being implemented as announced.
We want to continue developing our entrepreneurial spirit and encourage our population to participate more in the business opportunities that are available in our country.
The privatization programme offers these opportunities.
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