Senpa celebrates 10th anniversary |02 August 2014

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (Senpa) organised an exhibition yesterday at the Eden Plaza.

The exhibition was officially opened by Senpa’s chairperson, Marise Berlouis. During the past 10 years, Senpa has served as a firm and determined advocate for small enterprises.

The aim of the exhibition was to bring local artisans closer to the community as part of Senpa’s social networking programme.

Last year, artisans were introduced to hotels so that they could sell their products and now Eden plaza is the next step in bringing them closer to the community.

Present at the opening ceremony were the Minister for Environment and Energy Professor Rolph Payet, the Minister for Natural Resources Peter Sinon, his principal secretary Michel Nalletamby, Senpa’s chief executive Penny Belmont, the Chinese Ambassador Shi Zhongjun, deputy chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board Nathalie Didon, members of the National Assembly and other invited guests.

For the exhibition ten artisans were selected to display their work. The works presented were handicraft, pottery, wood carving, snacks and painting.

In her address, Ms Belmont said that “this anniversary is an excellent occasion to reflect on our dynamic past, the crucial success factors of our venture, and the vision we have for the future. With the kind support of the government, the other agencies, our local customer and supplier base we have, over the past 10 years, established the name Senpa as a trusted agency that stands for our innovation, creativity and passion for perfection.”

For her part, Mrs Berlouis, said that “Senpa has been seriously engaged in finding ways and means to empower the small businesses to face this new challenge through provision of training and enhancement of skills, exposure both locally and internationally as well as encouraging innovation and development of new products and services.”

“Previously Senpa organised mostly local fairs, we are now taking opportunities being offered in collaboration with other partners to organise international fairs in Seychelles,” Mrs Berlouis said, adding that most recently we saw this in the Mauritian Trade Fair organised jointly with the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

“Senpa also takes full advantage of opportunities to bring the local artisans abroad to showcase their products. Senpa engages itself to work very closely with other strategic partners such as the SCCI, government agencies such as the agricultural agency, Ministry of Tourism and Culture etc… to organise fairs and activities allowing small businesses to show and sell their products,” she added.

Over those past 10 years Senpa has provided several outlets for sale of the products of local artisans. They now have sales outlets at Camion Hall in Victoria as well as one at the departure lounge of the international airport which has proven to be very popular with departing visitors.

Senpa also owns and manages several other sales outlets leased by small businesses at affordable rates in Camion Hall and kiosks at the Esplanade on Francis Rachel Street.

When it started 10 years ago, it had some 200 registered businesses only, and 15 staff members. Today it boasts over 1,700 registered businesses and 32 staff members, some of whom are still employed by the organisation today.

At yesterday’s ceremony eight staff who have been with Senpa since its creation were rewarded. They are Nella Rachel, Sabrina Quatre, Jacqueline Mirabeau, Nella Rose, Micheline Joubert, Medgée Morgan, Cécile Hoarau and Evaline Joubert.

Speaking to the press, Ms Belmont expressed her satisfaction with the number of artisan who are registered with them but acknowledged that there is still room for improvement.  

Although satisfied, she feels that local artisans should not be shy to come forward.

“We have brought our artisans to the community because a lot of talented artisans are still afraid of coming forward,” she remarked.

Ms Belmont’s advice to all clients of Senpa is “be proactive, work hard to ensure that you have got the basic skills right, be clear about your values and your motivation and build your resilience”.

Those wishing to visit the exhibition can do so today from 10am to 6pm and tomorrow until 4pm when it will close.

Guests viewing the exhibition yesterday