Small Business/SME

[Grandlarousse]

Cleaners’ cooperative marks 5th anniversary with exhibition

02-February-2015

The Cleaners’ Cooperative held its first open day last week on the occasion of its fifth anniversary.

This milestone was marked by a one day exhibition held in the Independence House lobby in the presence of theThe cooperative’s logo Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, principal secretary for Natural Resources Michel Nalletamby, Cleaners’ Cooperative chairperson Marie Ange Denis, chief executive of the Cleaners’ Cooperative Helene Nicette, partners, management board and staff of the cooperative and other invited guests.

The Cleaners’ Cooperative was created during the economic reforms of 2008 in a programme for outsourcing all non-core functions in government departments.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244387

[Grandlarousse]

CBS meets stakeholders to tackle ‘bounced cheques’ issue

26-February-2015


The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) yesterday met representatives of financial institutions to find best and effective ways to tackle the issue of ‘bounced cheques’ which has increased at an alarming rate.

The meeting, chaired by CBS governor Caroline Abel and other high officials of the bank, met managing directors of all banks in Seychelles, the Seychelles Credit Union and the police, the latter being an important stakeholder in dealing with the laws and offences related to ‘bounced cheques’.

Stakeholders have agreed to review the policy regarding bounced cheques established since 2012 to make it more efficient. They should come up with concrete proposals in the coming days.

Explaining the reason behind the meeting, Ms Abel said the financial system should start making a difference regarding this problem and to have a structure in place to enhance the current one so that they can tackle this issue.

She said representatives of the police were present to deal with the legal aspect of the issue and the media to create more public awareness.

“Since 2012 we have been having that ‘bounced cheques’ problem. The Central Bank together with its financial community, the commercial banks and the Seychelles Credit Union which is also a participant in the ‘clearing house’, met to take measures to put the situation under control. Because when an individual or business does not honour their payment, it makes people lose confidence in that form of payment and the economy in general loses revenue,” said Ms Abel.

She added that these cheques affect individuals who are denied their payment, businesses their revenue to re-invest and the government tax system as revenue is not collected on time for the country’s expenses.

“We at the Central Bank which looks at the economic activity in its entirety; it concerns us as we have to ensure that the different mechanisms needed for the economy to receive its revenue on time, functions,” she said.

Regarding reverting to electronic payments as a means to solve the situation, Ms Abel said unfortunately not all banks are currently equipped with such financial platform to enable e-transaction. Banks’ internal system will first have to integrate with the core banking system and it is planned this should be done by June latest.

As to falling back on cash payments, she said this will create another problem for the CBS as it will have to release more liquidity on the market which is not in the interest of the economy.

In her presentation regarding this issue, Liz Julienne, senior payments system officer at the Central Bank said ‘bounced cheques’ have cost the economy and the financial system millions of rupees.

Though the penal code exists to deal with this issue, not much impact has been felt so far.

That is why it was recommended that financial institutions review their policy and public awareness is conducted so they are reminded that ‘bounced cheques’ are a criminal offence.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244638

[Grandlarousse]

Marco Francis re-elected SCCI chairman

27-February-2015
The Seychelles business community has maintained its confidence in the chairman of its association Marco Francis.Mr Francis

Mr Francis was re-elected for a second two-year term at the annual general meeting of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) held yesterday afternoon at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).

He received more votes in his favour compared to his challenger Clifford André.

Dolor Ernesta has also retained his seat as vice-chairman while Herbert Houareau becomes the new treasurer.

Twelve ordinary members or councillors have also been elected. They are: Andrew Padayachy, France Bonté, Pierre Quatre, John Stravens, Ralph Volcère, Basil Soundy, Oliver Bastienne, Jerry Morin, Gonzague d’Offay, Rod Thorrington, Wilson Nancy and Marie-Cecile Esparon.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244643

[Grandlarousse]

Cottage industry plays key role in country’s economy

02-April-2015
Cottage industry has its place in Seychelles as it plays an important role in the economy of our country and provides employment to people.

But how many people do take up the employment opportunities presented to them? Some critics might say all people want to work to earn their living, but are all of them serious?

A visit to some small family businesses in Baie Lazare and Takamaka districts on Tuesday morning gave President James Michel the chance to see for himself the extent of the problem related to a scarcity of reliable local manpower.

Most of the entrepreneurs complained that they hesitate to employ Seychellois as they are either on drugs and consume a lot of alcohol thus missing work or just steal equipment.

Another issue that came up was access to affordable loans. Some of the entrepreneurs are not even aware of the facilities government has put in place for them.

Despite all these issues, the entrepreneurs have said they are determined to continue doing their business and want to grow and at the same time raise their level of production.

We profile some of the entrepreneurs we met on Tuesday.

Chips maker François Mondon has being running his own business for 20 years and he said he gets help from his dad.

He produces chips from banana, sweet potatoes, cassava and bread fruit, and even prepares moulouk.

The 44-year-old added that he grows some of the raw materials but still has to outsource to meet the demand.

Owner of a mechanical workshop at Anse Forbans, Keven Desaubin worked for Sacos for 14 years before opening his own workshop in 2007.

“Business is doing very well. Our only issue is a lack of serious workers. Seychellois workers are good technically but they consume too much alcohol and drugs. As we don’t have enough workers, we get too much work to do and we can’t deliver all on time. Because we do not have qualified automotive engineer locally, my objective is to look for one from overseas to work on new cars with new technology. He can also train his Seychellois colleagues. My other wish is to benefit from an affordable loan to put the finishing touches to my workshop and also buy new equipment,” said Mr Desaubin.

Farmer Marie-Noella Sanguignon does not possess a plot of land, but she grows cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, chilli and cucumbers among others on a plot at Quatre Bornes belonging to the Pigg family and it is rent-free.

“I’ve been farming this land for 15 years and I work alone. This is very fertile land and I am able to produce enough to sell to small hotels and individuals. I like what I do,” she said.

Carpenter Randy Bonne’s workshop is situated at Takamaka and he works alone, covering all areas of carpentry specialising in wardrobes, cupboards and beds.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244996

[Grandlarousse]

Wider roads to ease traffic congestion in Providence

Providence industrial zone is noted as a top congested area and drivers who are frequently bottlenecked there will get some relief now that a plan to widen the road is being worked on.

According to Industrial Estates Authority chief executive Vic Tirant, the road will be widened by 1.5 metres on each side.

“Traffic circulation at the Providence industrial zone has become a problem. With big and heavy vehicles around there is bound to have traffic congestion especially when other vehicles are parked along the roads. It becomes a hazard for all road users. We have cut down all the trees which were damaging infrastructure like buildings, walkways and drainage. We will uproot them so that we will be able to widen the roads by 1.5 metres on each side. The SLTA (Seychelles Land Transport Agency) is working on a drawing which they will present to us soon,” said Mr Tirant.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245116

[Grandlarousse]

Vingt jeunes formés en gestion d’entreprise

Un groupe de vingt jeunes entrepreneurs ont récemment été formés en gestion d’entreprise dans le cadre du Programme de Promotion de l’Entreprenariat des Jeunes (PPEJ) de la Conférence des Ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (CONFEJES).

Le programme PPEJ est administré localement par le Conseil National de la Jeunesse (SNYC).

Les jeunes entrepreneurs on reçu leur certificat des mains du président de la Commission de Promotion de l’Entreprenariat Jeunesse Olivier Bastienne lors d’une cérémonie au Centre National de la Jeunesse hier après-midi.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245115

[Grandlarousse]

President James Michel visits businesses in Mont Fleuri and Plaisance

20-April-2015
Seychellois show desire to grow their businesses

President James Michel has said that he is impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the Seychellois people and their desire to grow their businesses.
“Today, Seychellois are really starting to engage themselves in business, especially small businesses. Some businesses want to grow and expand. This is good news and it shows that there are opportunities,” President Michel said.

He was speaking after making another visit to small businesses in the Mont Fleuri and Plaisance districts as part of a series of visits to various communities and businesses with the aim of sharing views and putting emphasis on entrepreneurial activities.

“The visit confirmed to me that the economic reforms which we undertook in 2008 were not only a necessity but were also very good for Seychelles because after we had created the foundation for our economic development, we’ve seen the transformation and today we see that Seychellois are really engaging themselves in business, especially in small businesses. Some businesses want to grow and expand. This is good news. It shows that there are opportunities for them,” said the President.

He was happy to hear of the knock-on effect that some businesses have on growth opportunities for others.
“Visiting one workshop (Aubrey Adeline’s) at Rochon, made me realise that one business generates the necessity for the creation of other businesses from which these businessmen are outsourcing. This multiplies the effect of entrepreneurship. Congratulations to all Seychellois who have responded to the call of entrepreneurship,” said President Michel.

The President ended his visit at the new Rosebelle Meat Supply Store at Plaisance which was inaugurated earlier the same afternoon (see separate story on page 5). He toured the facilities with his delegation.

“I would like to congratulate Cherubin Morin, his son Jean-Pierre Morin and their family for this magnificent initiative. Their business will benefit the development of Seychelles, its prosperity and creation of wealth,” said Mr Michel.

The President’s first stop at Mont Fleuri was at Nigel Sinon’s carpentry workshop and he wants to expand his business. Lindy Cesar has an omnibus business and is doing contract services for companies and hopes to enter the taxi business as her father and brother are both taxi drivers.

The President then visited Aubrey Adeline’s design and printing workshop – Brux Design – at Rochon, where he viewed the expansion plans of the owner who is finding the market demand is high for his products. Mr Adeline and wife Shirley are currently doing designing and printing jobs like photographs and this helps to create more business for enterprises that engage in picture framing and large format printing.

In the same area, he visited a hairdressing salon belonging to Cindy Felisie as well as Jocelyn Youpa’s tailoring workshop, and then proceeded to a house in Copolia in the Plaisance district where he met Militna Dufrene, the owner of a child-minding business.

Young Richard Felix who has a home business at Copolia with potted plants and flowers also briefed the President about his business plans. He said he wants to move to a new location as the present one has become too small.

President Michel was accompanied by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Michael Benstrong; principal secretary for Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, Maryse Berlouis; district administrators for Mont Fleuri and Plaisance -- Jency Volcère and Claudette Louise respectively; members of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri and Plaisance, Begitta Jeannevol and Roma Edmond respectively; and senior officials of the Office of the President.

The accompanying photographs show President Michel and his delegation during his tour at Mont Fleuri and Plaisance on Saturday.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245153

[Grandlarousse]

Small businesses look to expand

20-April-2015
Most of the entrepreneurs President James Michel spoke to on Saturday in the districts of Mont Fleuri and Plaisance said their businesses are doing so good they want to expand.

This is a good sign as it is the private sector which is the engine of a country’s economic growth that benefits everyone. The desire to grow shows that despite the many hiccups, businesses are doing well here and this augurs well for the country’s future as the economy continues to grow.

The private sector creates jobs, increases trade, and provides goods and services to the population and generates tax revenue.

Carpenter Nigel Sinon needs a bigger workshop

Carpenter Nigel Sinon has said he needs a bigger workshop as he cannot take many orders at one time.

“Right now, I have to finish one job before taking on the next. I need a bigger workshop as I have a lot of jobs from individuals and even the Ministry of Education. I am also working in a residential area and I have to stop using all power tools and heavy machinery by 5pm. It’s at this time that I do the varnishing,” said Mr Sinon whose workshop is next to his mother’s place at Hermitage in the Mont Fleuri district.

Mr Sinon, whose father Alone Ah-Tive passed away recently, added that he was happy President Michel came to see him.

“I wanted to come and see you, but it’s even better that you have come to see me as I can show you my workshop and you can better understand my situation,” said 30-year-old Sinon who even showed the President some of his work stored on his iPad.

The 30-year-old added that the profession as a carpenter pays well and he is able to live a good life. He also employs a foreigner.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245151

[Grandlarousse]

Seychelles NATION starts own printing

18-May-2015

The National Information Services Agency is pleased to announce that last night it began printing the Seychelles NATION daily newspaper on its own state-of-the-art press facilities at Bois de Rose.

Copies of today’s issue on sale are actually the first to come out of the printing plant after the realisation of a three-year project. All the equipment, including the four-colour Speedmaster printing machine from Heidelberg, Germany, and a computer-to-plate processor, are brand new.

The facilities are primarily for the printing of the Seychelles NATION newspaper, National Information Services Agency (Nisa) chief executive, Merline Volcère, has said.
According to Ms Volcère the investment in a new machine and latest technology is a big boost to the printing industry in Seychelles.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245439

[fecas-ecsvs]

Micro-enterprise complex another major step in the growth of SMEs

The Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Michael Benstrong, has said the Providence Industrial Estate has received another asset which will go a long way in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He added the country continues to witness more and more innovative ideas as our entrepreneurs, especially our younger generation, continue to adopt and apply new technology in the way of doing business.

The minister said this during the official opening yesterday of the Micro-Enterprise Complex christened ‘Leve Debrouye’ at Providence.

Present at the opening was President James Michel; Vice-President Danny Faure; ministers Jean-Paul Adam, Mitcy Larue, Wallace Cosgrow, Alain St Ange and Christian Lionnet; the acting Chief Justice D. Karunakaran; the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, the Chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet; President of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245871