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SCCI Business Award 2017 Alfred Fourcroy scoops up entrepreneur of the year award |11 December 2017

Alfred Fourcroy, the Belgian chief executive of the International Sales and Promotion Company (ISPC), is the entrepreneur of the year 2017.

The big revelation came at the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI) Business Award ‒ now in its fifth year -- held at the Eden Bleu Hotel on Saturday night.

Head of the ISPC since 2009, Mr Fourcroy has steered the company towards new ventures such as the DIY Supplies hardware store, its range of value added fish products and the soon-to-be launched Val d’Andorre farm.

In order to compliment its catering wholesale one-stop shop, ISPC has also opened stores in various localities including Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, Victoria and on Praslin.

After collecting the event’s most coveted award from SCCI chairman Oliver Bastienne, and the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Wallace Cosgrow, Mr Fourcroy told the press:

“It [the award] goes straight to my heart. It is a recognition from the Seychelles community which I thoroughly appreciate. I’m an entrepreneur with a heart and a vision, and everywhere I’ve been I’ve had the willingness to do something innovative and contribute something to the community I'm investing in.”

In regards to his company’s plans for 2018, he said: “Next year will be the production year for the farm at Val d’Andorre so we will be able to come up with our first production of tomatoes, peppers and aromatic herbs ‒ it will be a big event for us.”

He went on to add that this initiative will respond to a rising demand for fresh local products.

Other awardees of the night were:

●                     Savoy Resort & Spa (best large tourism establishment)

●                     Augerine Guest House (best small tourism establishment)

●                     Smart Living (retailer of the year)

●                     Hospitality Supplies Ltd. (wholesaler of the year)

●                     Switch (best publicity, art designing and advertising)

●                     Roots Seychelles (artisan of the year)

●                     Penlac (best manufacturing company)

●                     Mauritius Commercial Bank Seychelles (best banking and financial services company)

●                     Ephelia Resort & Spa (best environmental sustainable company)

●                     Airtel Seychelles (most corporate social responsibility company)

●                     Air Seychelles (innovative product of the year)

●                     Amirantes Fisheries (best product in the fisheries sector)

●                     Fregate Island Resort (best eco-friendly resort)

●                     Laxmanbhai (best construction company)

●                     Danny D’Souza (young entrepreneur of the year)

 

The late Abhaye Valabhji and Marlene Lionnet were both honoured posthumously with the lifetime award, and the humanitarian and services award respectively. Renowned businessman Simon Esparon, who tragically passed away in November, also received a moment of remembrance through a toast.

Aside from the award ceremony, the gala night saw the presentation of the SCCI gold and platinum privilege member cards which are expected to be distributed early next year during the opening of SCCI’s new office located at Providence.

Although the SCCI business award is a night dedicated to celebrating the crème de la crème of the business sector, Mr Bastienne laid emphasis on the need for the private sector to become more united and engaged with each other.

His searing speech catalogued the various challenges faced by SCCI and local businesses such as the deficiency in ease of doing business and safety of members in the private sector.

“I think the legislators and government have to work in collaboration with businesses. We have to be honest with ourselves and not only acknowledge the problems but also come up with viable solutions. SCCI hopes to table these issues in a framework and bring it to the relevant stakeholders,” said Mr Bastienne.

Despite the bleak outlook, Mr Bastienne concluded by stating that SCCI is looking forward to the next year especially since the chamber has been working hard on re-establishing its credibility over the past few months.

Considered as the  Oscars of the local business sector, the SCCI Business Award has become an annual event on many companies’ calendars and aims to reward businesses and business persons who possess vision, innovation, entrepreneurial drive, leadership, individuality and tenacity.

 

 

 

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