The Enterprise Seychelles Agency (Esa) now has a clearer focus and role in promoting entrepreneurship, with the restructuring of the agency and parent ministry, the Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry (MIEI).
As the primary agency concerned with entrepreneurship, Esa has two main priority areas in delivering on its mandate. The agency implements policies and government strategies pertaining to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), through business development services such as capacity-building, events, promotions and services offered at its office. Furthermore, the agency is responsible for providing entrepreneurs and businesses with good and sound business intelligence, and in turn collect data to assist government in the formulation of policies based on the needs and demands of the market.
In a press conference held recently, chief executive Angelique Appoo noted that in moving forward, Esa will be engaged primarily in activities towards employment creation and revenue generation, particularly in priority sectors including tourism, fisheries, agriculture and sustainable manufacturing.
As such, the agency is placing emphasis on capacity-building on emerging industries and existing industries that need to be further developed, such as the Blue Economy.
“We want to see businesses grow from micro to small and medium enterprises, and to eventually grow into large businesses, through our collaboration with the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) division within our ministry. We will also establish a culture of innovation, through research and development. We want more innovation in businesses, and STI is here to help businesses with research and technologies, and with determining what they can adopt in their respective business,” Ms Appoo noted.
As Esa takes a more centre-stage role in entrepreneurship and industry development, a Revival Handicraft committee comprising seven experienced and knowledgeable members has been established, with the objective of re-establishing the artisanal sector, and give it its place within the economy. The committee will be engaging with seasoned artisans to facilitate exchanges with youths to ensure continuity within the industry, reviewing policies, and conducting training sessions.
In addition to supporting aspiring artisans to get started, Esa will go further in assisting them to sell products, and equipping them with the relevant knowledge and skills to do so, whether in its own Artisan Des Iles outlets, through others, and even through online platforms.
With its new vision to further develop entrepreneurship and industries locally, Esa is presently in the process of establishing a database comprising all information about businesses in Seychelles. Thus far, the exercise has started with businesses with cottage licenses. An agreement with the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA), the Office of the Registrar and Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) is expected to be signed in the near future. The database will serve as a one-stop shop for aspiring entrepreneurs, and is also expected in drafting policies that respond to the market.
Providing an update about the R1 million grant received from the Seychelles Climate Change Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) earlier this year, Ms Appoo clarified that the agency is pushing for the development of entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy. Ms Appoo unveiled that much work has been conducted, and Esa has had interactions with businesses in the sector and potential businesses. Presently, the agency is in the capacity-building phase. It hosted a workshop last Saturday on La Digue, followed by one on Praslin yesterday. Esa is engaging with other stakeholders including the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and Development Bank Seychelles (DBS).
As for the Global Entrepreneurship Week, to be observed this year from November 8 to 14 under the theme ‘Youths and Entrepreneurship’, a series of activities has been organised by the Ministry to promote entrepreneurship. On Monday November 8, there will be a special address by Minister Devika Vidot, as well as an open day at Esa where members of the public, particularly youths, are invited to share their perspectives on entrepreneurship.
Tuesday 9 will see a workshop with district administrators to inform them about entrepreneurships, functions and roles of the different entities within the ministry and the opportunities and processes, so as to be able to provide information and advise their constituents. This will be followed on Wednesday November 10 by a televised debate on recovery in the post-Covid era and the business opportunities that stemmed from the pandemic. On Thursday November 11, a stakeholder consultation on the entrepreneurship policies will be held, while on Friday November 12, leaders within the ministry will be making appearances on local media to educate public and address concerns.
Source: Seychelles Nation