Seychelles’ business landscape under the spotlight

Seychelles’ business landscape under the spotlight

04-July-2018
Leaders from all sectors of the economy gathered at the Eden Bleu Hotel on Eden Island yesterday for a frank and detailed examination of the business landscape in Seychelles.

This was during the first ever national business summit held under the theme ‘Towards Private Sector Led Sustainable Economic Growth’.

The guest of honour was President Danny Faure, who officially launched the summit on Monday evening at State House.

Also present were ministers Maurice Loustau-Lalanne for finance, trade, investment and economic development and Jean-Paul Adam for health.

It was the President himself who first initiated such a meeting when he made his state-of-the-nation address in March this year.

He stated …“where all principal actors will be present to share their suggestions on measures to improve the ease of doing business. It will also be a platform where the government can listen to what various sectors have to say, with the aim of better planning our economic and social development”.

The summit was organised by the department of investment in the Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB), and the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

It consisted of various presentations from relevant stakeholders like on the ease of doing business in Seychelles from SCCI; foundation for a robust economy from both the finance department and the Central Bank of Seychelles; strategies for business-led economic growth by the department of investment, to name some.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne delivered the keynote address while Arnold Chetty, a businessman from the private sector, made the opening remarks.

“The summit provides a brilliant platform for the different players from the private and public sectors, as well as civil society, to debate important issues influencing and affecting the ability with which one can do business in the country and to agree on measures to improve the state of affairs,” said Minister Loustau-Lalanne.

He added the discussions around the ease at which one can do business in the country has always been a hot topic.

“I am particularly happy that such an important and highly debated topic will be the centre piece of our focus today. It is critical that all parties debate the issues so that we may together frame a more conducive and inclusive environment where we may become either an entrepreneur or proud employees of one of these businesses,” he added.

Mr Chetty expressed the hope the summit is a good sign that the executive wants to listen to the longstanding pleas of the business community, a situation which has not existed over the last few decades.

He added the business community sincerely hopes that this is a turning point in our business and economic history and that Seychelles will enter a phase of economic prosperity characterised by the recognition that business is indeed the driver of growth and creation of wealth and finally have hope.

“Over the longest of time, our community has repeatedly stated its position on wide-ranging issues and these are commonly known but sadly, they have been ignored. These will be reiterated today in these consultations.

“What should we expect differently this time around? Our strongest wish is that the commitment we seek will be followed through with vigour and the implementation of the recommendations will open up a new era where our community will be given the confidence to invest more to benefit our country and play a dynamic role in the growth of our economy,” said Mr Chetty.

He then urged his business colleagues to use this unique opportunity to make their voices heard; be clear in what they feel they need to achieve to make Seychelles more conducive to doing business and most of all do not hold back on their ideas and opinions.
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