Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, officially launched the Salon des PME in Port-Mathurin, Rodrigues, on Saturday 03 December 2022. The Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, Mr Johnson Roussety, and other members of Rodrigues Regional Assembly were present at the launching ceremony.
The SME Minister also participated in a presentation of certificates at Rodrigues Prison in Pointe la Gueule to seven prisoners following the completion of a 12-week course on Start Your Business.
It is a rehabilitation programme aiming to promote entrepreneurship among prisoners as they often encounter difficulties in accessing employment after prison. The Salon des PME, organised by SME Mauritius Ltd, until 07 December 2022, brings together around 90 Rodriguan entrepreneurs.
It is providing a platform for entrepreneurs to promote local know-how, enabling them to maintain business relationships with existing customers as well as attracting new ones, thereby increasing their visibility.
The products being sold comprise, amongst others, handicrafts; food; clothing; plants; flowers; and jewelleries. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Bholah recalled that after easing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SME trade fairs regained their activities.
“In this festive period,” he underlined, “the Salon des PME offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to carry out productive sales while enhancing business activities in Rodrigues.
The Minister reaffirmed the support of the Ministry and SME Mauritius Ltd to better support Rodriguan entrepreneurs through various schemes, training programmes and access to markets.
“Around 140 young Rodriguan graduates are placed in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Rodrigues under the SME Employment Scheme,” he emphasised, adding that 83 Rodriguan companies were benefitting from support aid from SME Mauritius Ltd.
Mr Bholah further elaborated that SME Mauritius Ltd provided several courses to Rodriguans including manufacturing of eco-friendly bags, sewing, as well as product marketing and handicrafts.
Regarding the facilities being offered, he pointed out that SME Mauritius Ltd had upgraded its office in Malabar in order to avail more facilities to Rodriguan entrepreneurs.
“More modern infrastructure, including an incubator and training rooms, have been set up,” he added. Minister Bholah seized the opportunity to commend the dedication and perseverance of the entrepreneurs in the face of adversity.
He opined that Rodriguan entrepreneurs should be given the same opportunities as SMEs in Mauritius so that they participate fully in consolidating the economy. Minister Bholah also spoke about regular exchange programmes between Mauritius and Rodrigues in line to promote the culture of entrepreneurship.
“In the face of global challenges, such as geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, entrepreneurship can generate opportunities for SMEs,” he concluded.
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