People seeking for a grant under the Seed Capital Grant Scheme being offered by government through the department of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, will as at the end of August 2020 be able to apply now that the scheme has been reactivated following a halt at the end of March 2020 in the light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Department of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development (DOIED) wraps up the Second Edition of the School Entrepreneurship Competition entitled “Living with COVID-19: A Student’s Perspective”.

This year, the Department has received 96 submissions, which are currently being assessed by five different judges from both the private and public sector. This year however the judging method has changed and shall be done through an online platform in light of the social distancing measures being recommended by the Department of Health. The deadline for the panel of judges to assess the submissions is the 14^th August 2020.

INTERNATIONAL MSME DAY

“FIRST RESPONDERS TO SOCIETAL NEEDS”

BY VP MERITON

Excellencies,

Secretary General of UNCTAD,

Distinguished delegates.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Greetings from the Seychelles.

The International MSME Day is a dedicated day established on the 27^th June by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 6^th April. It is an event jointly organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the International Committee of Small Business (ICSB), and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations.

The aim of this virtual event was to bring together Ministers and other high-level decision makers to discuss policy measures and capacity-building efforts numerous countries have taken in order to support the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs post COVID-19.

Building a resilient MSME sector is a top priority for all countries as they play a key role in attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, achieving sustainable economic growth and productive employment amongst others.