United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines Entrepreneurship as the capacity and willingness to undertake conception, organization, and management of a productive new venture, accepting all attendant risks and seeking profit as a reward. In the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda, the attainment of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) 9 largely depends on the role of entrepreneurship development. Indirectly, Entrepreneurship also addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty), 5 (General Equality), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Seychelles relies on the policy guidance of UNCTAD namely; the Entrepreneurship Policy Hub and the Flagship Capacity Building Programme - Empretec to progress its Entrepreneurship agenda.

The below booklet and posters outline the key characteristics of an entrepreneur and how it differentiates with a Business person. A creole version of the booklet is also available for download HERE.

Entrepreneurship is valuable to Seychelles and to an individual because it (but not limited to):

Seychelles

  • Creates and distributes new wealth for an economy through new product and services
  • Generates new employment through new ventures
  • Solves country’s challenges and assists community development
  • Raises standards of living with innovative ventures
  • Nurtures a private sector that is resilient to crisis

You

  • Allows you run a business that you are passionate about
  • Helps you to change Seychelles and/or the world for the better
  • Makes you become your own boss
  • Allows you to work flexibly
  • Can help you gain competitive advantage over others and a significant profit with your uniqueness

In general, entrepreneurs are optimistic and resilient as they generate many benefits. Below is an illustrative diagram of the overall importance of entrepreneurship.

The National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (NISTI) launched its Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy and Strategy in 2017 to encourage the transition from a traditional economy lacking value-added products and services and technological innovation into a modern one with high levels of technology and skills across all sectors. As a result, it drives the innovation which is imperative for both Seychelles’ economic competitiveness and social development.

Entrepreneurship is much more than just a concept or a global trend. The essential part of Entrepreneurship constitutes a work of an individual’s intellect that merits immediate protection before presenting it to the public. This is where the Intellectual Property (IP) has an inseparable link with entrepreneurship as innovators have to safeguard the value that their creations. IP allows entrepreneurs to maintain sole ownership in a similar way they would own their house or car as well as, control their financial gains.

In Seychelles, IP is mainly governed by the Industrial Property Act 2014 and the Copyright Act 2014. However, there are other IP-related legislations including the Creative Industries and National Events Agency Act, 2016 (Act 17 of 2016), Fair Competition Act, 2009 (Act No. 18 of 2009) and the National Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation Act, 2014 (Act 6 of 2014) to name a few. They can all be found on SeyLII and on the Seychelles Trade Portal. As for registering your IP, you may contact the IP Office at the Registration Division on (+248) 4280900 for further information.

A creole version of the poster is available HERE.