Small firms on Praslin have potential to grow, says minister |28 February 2017

Small entrepreneurs on Praslin have good and unique ideas and they have the potential to expand and further develop new businesses under the SME scheme.

This was the general feeling of the Minister for Employment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Wallace Cosgrow after visiting various small enterprises on Praslin recently.

“I am satisfied with the visit and the various entrepreneurs visited. The entrepreneurs were from various domains and they have good and unique ideas. It shows that there is potential to expand their small businesses and even for further development of new businesses under the SME scheme,” Minister Cosgrow said.

Accompanied by other personnel from his ministry, Minister Cosgrow started off his visit with a tour of the Black Pearl Farm, led by general manager Anders Hennie. The delegation learned about the process of pearl production and the various end products made from these pearls.

On that day, the ‘Enterprise Management Programme’, a three-day training programme funded by the African Development Bank, was being conducted on Praslin. The programme, which is being conducted through the Ministry of Investment in partnership with Senpa (Small Enterprise Promotion Agency) and the University of Seychelles (Unisey) was taking place at the Oasis Hotel and Minister Cosgrow paid them a visit.

In his address to the participants, the minister shared his appreciation of the programme, the final session of which is expected to take place this week, benefitting 500 participants.

He encouraged them to grab all opportunities that can help them maximise their potential and business such as these trainings.

“Though starting a new business may be tough at first, with the right attitude and training you can overcome all barriers and flourish your businesses,” he told the participants.

Stephen Morgan, a young entrepreneur who bakes not only for the Praslin community but also customers on Mahé and La Digue, welcomed the minister to his new building which will house his bakery and allow him to expand his business.

Stephen will now be able to cater for more demand and divert into new products such as gluten-free or eggless cakes.

The young entrepreneur, who was also following the ‘Enterprise Management Programme’ said: “I believe the programme is very beneficial to us small entrepreneurs and I have learnt so much. My skills and training were rather in baking and I am happy to have now received some business management tips and skills. I encourage other individuals who are already in business or who wish to start a business to come follow the programme.”

The bakery is scheduled to open soon but in the meantime Stephen continues his operation at his residence.

The minister also visited Grenada Bristol, Albert Durand and Hedley Françoise. This was an opportunity for them to showcase their products and share any difficulties that they may be experiencing in their daily operations.