The future of Seychelles belongs to its young people, and their ideas, creativity and technological ambitions will be central to the country's next phase of development. This was the message from President Dr Patrick Herminie as he welcomed representatives of Marcelin Global Holdings for a courtesy call at State House today.
The meeting with the company's founder and director, Mr Danio Marcelin, and business partner and shareholder, Mr Raj Kowlessur, focused on technological innovation, food security, economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for young Seychellois entrepreneurs to contribute to national development.
President Herminie emphasised that young people have an important place in his political party's manifesto and its vision for transforming Seychelles into a more innovative, productive and self-reliant nation.
He observed that while Seychelles enjoys a relatively high GDP per capita, this should not become a reason for complacency. The country's development must continue to evolve in response to the changing needs and aspirations of its people, with technology and innovation providing new opportunities for progress.
The President expressed his vision of a Seychelles increasingly driven by technology, where locally developed solutions can help address national challenges, improve productivity and reduce dependence on external markets.
Food security featured prominently in the discussions, particularly through Marcelin Global Holdings' proposed Terra Project, which seeks to introduce smart and autonomous farming technologies to advance agricultural production.
President Herminie expressed particular interest in agricultural technology and the potential for Seychelles to regain greater self-sufficiency in food production. He recalled that the country had previously achieved approximately 80 per cent self-sufficiency in poultry and pork production, highlighting the importance of rebuilding local productive capacity to safeguard the population against external shocks.
The discussions also explored opportunities to produce animal feed and fertiliser locally, alongside the availability of land for agricultural development.
Other proposals presented by the entrepreneurs included local production of nitrogen and oxygen, biogas technology and alternative energy solutions aimed at reducing operating costs and making better use of resources available in Seychelles.
The company also outlined a proposed tourism sector plan involving technology to monitor expenditure and support contingency planning, particularly in the event of future global disruptions such as pandemics or conflicts.
In healthcare, the entrepreneurs discussed a proposed Starlink-based entertainment initiative, beginning with a pilot project at the hospital on La Digue, with the possibility of extending the service to other locations.
Marcelin Global Holdings has already ventured into the technology market through the introduction of its locally branded MGH Core laptops, offering more affordable computing options, particularly for students and families. The initiative reflects the company's broader ambition to make technology more accessible while developing home-grown solutions.
During the exchange, the entrepreneurs also raised the possibility of grant assistance to support the development of their initiatives and sought the President's perspective on the direction of their business ambitions.
President Herminie welcomed the emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, underscoring the importance of harnessing the potential of young Seychellois to build an economy that is not only prosperous but increasingly resilient and self-sufficient.
The meeting reflected a shared interest in advancing practical, technology-driven solutions that can strengthen local production, create opportunities and contribute to the long-term transformation of Seychelles.