In the context of the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023, some 30 students from the Université des Mascareignes (UDM) who participated in the Entrepreneurship Youth Boot Camp and 150 trainees who followed training at the SME Mauritius Ltd, received their certificates during an award ceremony held, today, at the SME Mauritius Ltd, in Coromandel.
The Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah; the Chief Executive of SME Mauritius Ltd, Mr Ravin Rampersad; the Representative of UDM, Dr Radhakrishna Somanah; and other personalities were present.
In his address, Minister Bholah stated that the aim behind the celebration of the week is to promote an entrepreneurship culture across the world. The theme for this year “Igniting innovative solutions for a better and brighter future” is a driver for individuals to envision, innovate and contribute to a more inclusive and progressive society, he said.
Addressing the youth who participated in the boot camp, he underlined that they have been cultivated with an entrepreneurship mindset and urged them to launch their start-ups. The number of entrepreneurs is on the rise and the award ceremony has been organised to recognise the effort of the participants, he emphasised.
Minister Bholah lauded the determination and courage of the participants. He stressed that the youth have the potential to become great entrepreneurs, and highlighted the importance for the youth to join the sector amid climate change and unprecedented challenges.
Entrepreneurship, he indicated, is the principal engine of economic growth and a strong means to curb social evils and promote sustainable environment. Government, he added, is providing several support schemes, and training to promote an entrepreneurship culture in the country.
Besides acting as a major contributor to the Mauritian economy, it is also a driving force behind innovation and technological advances, he underpinned. It is, therefore, necessary to provide a conducive environment and appropriate ecosystem that will sustain and nurture an entrepreneurship mindset, he underscored.
For his part, Mr Rampersad said that in the context of the Entrepreneurship Week, the SME Mauritius is carrying out a series of activities to celebrate entrepreneurship.
He indicated that SME Mauritius in collaboration with the UDM conducted the boot camp to encourage the youth to develop interest in entrepreneurship and opt for a career in the sector. He also congratulated the participants on their successful completion of their trainings.