President James Michel visits businesses on La Digue |14 September 2015

‘Business is booming on La Digue’

Business is booming on La Digue and President James Michel could witness firsthand the rapid development in the fields of tourism, blue economy, mechanic, carpentry among others during his visit to the island at the weekend.

This was another of President Michel’s round of visits to small and medium size businesses around the country.

“I’ve visited not only businesses but also life on La Digue. Tourism is doing well and a lot of Seychellois are involved in this field and many more want to join, so it is important that we ease the processes for them to join the industry,” said the President in an interview with the local media.

Mr Michel noted that he saw a good example of one industry complementing another as the only mechanical garage on the island, Ladouceur Engineering Workshop, provides services for boats and transport on land.

“It works in close partnership with the Morin Fibre Glass Workshop which builds and repairs boats. This is a good example of one industry complementing another and this is a good thing, especially on a small island like La Digue,” explained Mr Michel.

The President also said he will take up with the Ministry of Finance, Trade and The Blue Economy aspects related to the development of the Blue economy on La Digue.

He added that discussing with young Diguois he could feel they have the energy and passion to venture into different businesses but need the right guidance.

“It has been a great visit as I have also been able to meet a number of people and share their different issues and aspirations,” said President who noted that the visit to La Digue was not the last as he will be coming over again in the coming years.

The President also said he was impressed with ‘man of the sea’ Keven Jeanne’s fish pond at Dan Goulo, the name that the local people have given to a small manmade island off the coast of Anse Reunion. The covered pond is filled with a range of species including small sharks and clams.

“This is a natural aquarium and although it is small it is very important for Seychelles as a lot of foreigners and Seychellois come to the pond to learn about the marine life of our country and get an idea of its ecology,” said Mr Michel.

Other than the Ladouceur Engineering and Morin Fibre Glass workshops as well as the Fish Pond belonging to Mr Jeanne, the President and his delegation, who included Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Minister Michael Benstrong, the principal secretary for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Marise Berlouis, the member of the National Assembly for Inner Islands Chantal Ghislain as well as senior officials in the Office of the President, visited Obi’s Construction belonging to Jeff Bibi, Sandra Popouneau’s Veuve Hair Design, Marie-Antoinette Crispin’s Tannett Guest House, Carl Mills’ Fish Trap Restaurant, Robert Labiche’s Kot Babi Guest House, Marie-Antoine Camille’s retail shop, Jules Radegonde’s café named Chez Jules, Jimmy Mellon’s Donemon Farm, and Robert Pool’s Casa De Leela self-catering guesthouse.

The accompanying photos show highlights of President Michel’s La Digue visit on which we will come back in a future issue.