Minister Wallace Cosgrow’s message on World Entrepreneurs’ Day 2017 |21 August 2017
‘The time is opportune to let our people flourish’
“Believe in yourselves, be innovative, come up with new ideas. We will make sure that we provide you with the right
environment for you to flourish.”
This is the gist of a message from the Minister for Industry, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Wallace Cosgrow on the occasion of World Entrepreneurs’ Day today.
The full text of Minister Cosgrow’s message reads:
“Seychelles is at a turning point and its future is dependent today more than ever before on the resourcefulness of the Seychellois people.
“The time is opportune to let our people flourish. Seychelles is today joining the rest of the world to commemorate World Entrepreneurs’ Day (WED). Let this WED be ‘the’ turning point to commit.
“With the increased emphasis on private sector development and for the private sector to be the engine for growth, our people have over the years developed an entrepreneurial culture. Today Seychelles is ready to tap the potential of Seychellois entrepreneurs and help drive home the economic advantages for the country from such a group.
“The term ‘entrepreneur’ means different things to different people, but we need everyone with talent and ability to seize the opportunities available. Small and medium enterprises in Seychelles today have the opportunity to drive the economic development of the country. With over 80% of businesses in Seychelles classified as small and medium enterprises, they create jobs, generate local economic activities and create wealth for the country. It is therefore of paramount importance that we continue to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth through various means including our educational system.
“The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation has been set up to consolidate the innovative entrepreneurship spirit of the Seychellois people. The work is one which is collaborative with the contribution from other agencies and stakeholders.
“This ministry is set to be a catalyst in industrial policy formulation to facilitate and assist businesses particularly the small and medium enterprises, in identifying opportunities for growth and to improve their capability to compete locally and internationally, while remaining environmentally conscious and socially responsible.
“As part of the collaboration this year the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development celebrated Careers’ Week under the theme ‘Building an entrepreneurial culture for enhancing youth employability’.
“Discussions are being held to include entrepreneurship education in the curricula of all educational institutions.
“On this World Entrepreneurship Day, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation is committing itself to standing by the Seychellois entrepreneurs who come out to stand together in promoting the locally made products.
“Seychelles as a country will then work to market these products. This is essential and here the tourism industry will need to work with the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation to showcase what is truly Seychelles.
“Entrepreneurs are also ‘the world of business’ and making a go in the spirit of competition that comes with it.
“On this 2017 World Entrepreneurs’ Day it is important for us to continue to touch on the point of value added. Value-addition is very important and must be encouraged in this competitive world. This is needed in agricultural products as it is in marine products and what we have as unique treasures.
“Today, I commend the business innovation spirit and creativity, the talents and passion of our entrepreneurs: I commend their commitment in their pursuit of new ideas and towards turning dreams into innovative products and services.
“Entrepreneurs who serve their country and help to strengthen our economy should be encouraged to persevere in their quest to turn their ideas into real progress and evolution.
“Believe in yourselves, be innovative, come up with new ideas. We will make sure that we provide you with the right environment for you to flourish.”