Youths urged to tap into Blue Economy   By Laura Pillay   |06 September 2022

Ms Vitcheva addressing the gathering (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

A group of students from the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and professional centres yesterday had the opportunity to attend a presentation by European Commission Director General for Marine Resources and Fisheries, Charlina Vitcheva, on the various opportunities and the increasingly important role of youths in the blue economy sector.

Ms Vitcheva is presently on a mission where she will also be partaking in the first-ever Blue Invest Africa business network forum to be hosted in Seychelles from September 7 and 8, at the Eden Bleu Hotel.

The event will bring together investors and entrepreneurs in the blue economy field from numerous European Union (UN) and African countries, with the aim of showcasing  Africa’s potential in sustainable blue economy, while also fostering innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship, and promoting public-private cooperation.

Having had an opportunity to address and engage with the youngsters, Ms Vitcheva affirmed the EU’s commitment for exchanges and engagement with the youths, especially with the EU having designated this year as the year of Youths.

“I am extremely happy that on the sidelines of this visit to Seychelles, I have been able to speak to the university youth. Young, committed people, we are absolutely adamant in the EU to exchange, to engage, and work together, with the youth. As I said to the students today, it is the youth that is going to remedy what we did wrong. They will shape this enormous, exceptional asset which is the ocean, and for that, the best starting tool is knowledge. Whatever they discover today will be a business opportunity tomorrow,” Ms Vitcheva stated.

Numerous students at the UniSey are engaged in research and development of marine resources, and potential biotechnology innovations, along the same lines as the innovative business ideas to be pitched at the Blue Invest Africa event, by shortlisted candidates. Despite the fact that Seychelles did not qualify with any projects, the EU will be providing data and science to Seychellois youths, drawing on the EU’s experience and progress in the Blue Economy.

“The Blue Economy, as I relayed to the students, if we take it as a whole, or equalise it to a country, will be the seventh biggest economy in the world, and it is projected to double and triple. It not only creates solutions for adapting and mitigating climate change, it is on its own a huge business opportunity, and the ones that hold the knowledge will reap the benefits,” she added.

Ms Vitcheva was accompanied on her visit to the educational institution by Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Jean-François Ferrari, along with principal secretary for the Blue Economy Kenneth Racombo, and ministry officials.

For his part, Minister Ferrari stated that the forum is a great opportunity for Seychelles, presenting local stakeholders a good opportunity to learn from.

“We have agreed that it will sort of like a trade fair, with different stalls whereby Seychellois entrepreneurs can showcase and promote their products. What is beneficial to us though is that Ms Vitcheva has engaged us to have at least one or two applicants for next year, giving them enough time to work on their projects, and prepare themselves adequately to pitch their projects and hopefully secure some funding from investors,” Minister Ferrari stated.

The Blue Invest Forum will have around 23 pitchers and experts addressing them.

President Wavel Ramkalawan will be opening the international-scale event.