President Michel congratulates young award-winning Seychellois entrepreneur |29 September 2016

Young entrepreneur Jimmy Port-Louis, who won the special jury award with his project ‘Ocean Saviour’ in the ‘Ambition Jeune 3’ competition held in Mauritius recently, has been congratulated by President James Michel.

Jean-Paul Toulon, the other Seychellois who also took part in the competition, was also congratulated by Mr Michel.

The two young entrepreneurs on Tuesday met President Michel at State House. They were accompanied by the head of delegation at the competition, Michel Pierre, and jury member at the competition, Christine Reginald.

President Michel congratulated Mr Port-Louis on his achievement and commended the whole team for their determination in taking part in the competition which is being supported by the Indian Ocean Commission.

“I am personally happy and I congratulate you for coming up with a project that centered on the Blue economy concept. You have made Seychelles proud at this regional competition and rest assured that you as well as other young entrepreneurs who come with such remarkable projects will have my full support. The government will continue to assist and facilitate the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation so that useful projects can become a reality and bring more prosperity for the Seychellois people,” said President Michel during the meeting.

Mr Port-Louis, who is also a lecturer at the Seychelles Maritime Academy, and the delegation briefed President Michel on the two-day competition as well as the project he presented before the jury which is about investing in a state-of-the-art fishing vessel powered by solar energy that would be used for long-line fishing.

He explained that he wants to involve both old and young fishermen on the project.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with the President, Mr Port-Louis said that the next ‘Ambition Jeune’ will be held in Seychelles next year and that he wishes more young entrepreneurs join the competition.

He noted that the meeting with the president has given them encouragement to pursue their projects.

“It was a fruitful meeting and the president has shown great interest in my project as well as Mr Toulon’s. I will soon be put in communication with the Ministry of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy and my colleague Jean-Paul Toulon will be in contact with the Ministry of Health for support of our project. I would like to call on all young entrepreneurs to persevere with their projects so that they become a reality,” said Mr Port-Louis.

As the competition will be held here next year, Mr Port-Louis is also calling on local partners and businesses to come forward and give them support.

Mr Port-Louis said he is very happy with the discussion they have had with Mr Michel and they will now wait for the necessary support and funding to realise their project.

The competition brought together young entrepreneurs from five regional countries including Madagascar, Mauritius, the Comoros and Reunion.