The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Mauritius organised, on Wednesday, an International Business Network where investors from South Africa as well as Local Entrepreneurs from different sectors met and discussed opportunities for business.
The Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon; the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Mauritius, Dr Hlamalani Nelly Manzini; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SME Mauritius, Mr Ravin Rampersad; and other personalities were present on the occasion.
During the networking session, some 20 Start-ups from South Africa met entrepreneurs in Mauritius to discuss and exchange opportunities for business. The South African delegation was accompanied by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), an institution supporting start-ups in South Africa.
In his keynote address, the Vice-President highlighted that this is a first Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) specific Regional Business Networking session organised at SME Mauritius dedicated exclusively to MSMEs.
Mr Boissezon lauded the courage and ingenuity of the entrepreneurs adding that worldwide MSMEs contribute massively to economic development. “The world has for two years now been under pressure of all sorts, yet, entrepreneurs have been on all fronts putting their creative efforts at the service of mankind, be it to feed nations or simply to preserve community health,” he observed.
Furthermore, the Vice-President underlined that start-ups have been growing in response to COVID-19, with products such as facemasks or even new and safer modes of food delivery.
Mr Boissezon added that this extremely competitive worldwide environment is making it difficult to work together to achieve objectives. He however pointed out that with the support of institutions such as SEDA and SME Mauritius playing key roles to support and help entrepreneurs go through these challenges, better business growth in the short to medium term will be found. “I am in no doubt that South African and Mauritian MSMEs can work together to make a better future for themselves, their respective communities and their country,” he stated.
As regards Mauritius, he indicated that the economy is taking off and with the continued effort of support institutions such as SME Mauritius, MSMEs are being included in the mainstream of economic development of our country.
Mr Boissezon commended the holding of this Networking session as, according to him, it will enhance one-to-one business collaboration and co-operation and will further cement the relationship between Mauritius and South Africa, a privileged partner for long and an economic powerhouse
As regards this networking session, she added that entrepreneurs will be sharing their experiences with their equals as well as build partnerships that will strengthen their initiatives. On this score, Dr Manzini encouraged them to strengthen their business and take it to the international level.
As for Mr Rampersad, he urged the entrepreneurs to take advantage of the forum and to learn from each other as collaborators, and not as competitors, in order to achieve their objectives. He expressed the wish for participants to acquire more knowledge as regards product development, and to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the markets in terms or packaging, quality, level of sophistication and standards.
