Dev Santchurn: "The Situation Has Deteriorated to Local Entrepreneurs"

This was said Dev Santchurn, president of the Association of Mauritian Entrepreneurs (AME), after a meeting with its members. He believes that it is time to make economic diplomacy to promote Mauritius more in Africa and see which has the highest potential. 

According to him, investing in a difficult economic climate is not on the agenda of our entrepreneurs. "The seu-the source of survival is the export still remains a bit complicated.Confidence is at its lowest level. Pessimism settles, "he says. He believes that the situation is very difficult. "The situation has deteriorated and many of our members have had to reduce their workforce to keep their heads above water. It is the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are most affected in the current economic climate. SMEs do not have the power to support as large enterprises manage to continue their activities despite a fall in profitability. 

Among the most affected areas include the manufacturing sector. According Dev Santchurn, closing 'Trading Houses' for some time indicates a fall in demand. Excluding the impact of the economic situation on the Mauritian firms, he argues that the purchasing power of Mauritians also declined. Competition with imported products, the Mauritian market restricted, the indebtedness of the population and the high cost of productivity does not put per-Mauritians to buy, he said.  

"The demand fell sharply and should give more chance for small businesses instead of seeking foreign products", says the president of the MEA. He cites the example of one of the members who obtained orders over 4,000 pieces and has an order of 600 pieces at this time.However, local products, he said, are seen as there is always a pressure to produce. Lack of skilled labor Dev Santchurn pointed out that the lack of skilled labor is wreaking havoc. "There is an inade-equation between the qualifications and skills required in the labor market. We can not find qualified people with a certain skill, "he said, citing his own example. Managing director of a company specializing in 

shoemaking, Santchurn Dev says it is difficult to find qualified people. According to him, the government enforces restrictions on the importation of foreign labor. This raises the question whether the textile industry did not employ many foreigners, would it successful? "Without foreign labor, it would be difficult to compete and survive," he says. In order to support their activities, members of the AME diverse. Dev Santchurn mentions the MEA conducts missions abroad, but it is very difficult to go into a new market. "Our salvation is export. Be prepared to be able to export. "Government gives its support to companies for this purpose, but, for him, one can not speak of Europe or the United States for SMEs, but in Africa. He says it is yet difficult to export in Africa, especially with non-tariff barriers, understanding the market and how to import from the country, compliance rules, the problem of logistics and also other difficulties that exist there.