PEMC hosts capacity building session for five public entities

Representatives from the Seychelles Financial Authority, Seychelles Petroleum Company, Seychelles Postal Services, the Seychelles Trading Company and Seychelles Pension Fund attended a capacity- building session yesterday under the theme: ‘Mapping Procedure of Mandates and Strategic Priorities to the NDS 2024-2028 and SDGs’. 

The mapping exercise and training session for the five public enterprises under the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade (MFNPT) was aimed at helping participants align the mandates and strategic priorities of their respective enterprises with National Development Strategies (NDS) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It was also to increase the awareness of both the NDS and SDGs and a chance for participants to share knowledge to make positive changes on their future strategic plans in line with government’s transformative agenda to make Seychelles better.

To note the NDS 2024-2028 which provides the opportunity for the country to redefine its trajectory and establish itself as a resilient, sustainable and progressive nation, was launched in April 2024. It outlines six key national priority areas: (1) a modern public service, (2) the transformative economic agenda, (3) a healthy nation, (4) a modern education system in line with future needs, (5) promotion of law and order, and (6) environmental sustainability and climate change resilience.

The session held at the STC conference room, Latanier road, was hosted by the Public Enterprises Monitoring Commission (PEMC), in collaboration with the ministry, supported by the US Department of Treasury Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was facilitated by two representatives from OTA, Jennifer Fox and Sheryl Kelly.

When launching the session, Minister Naadir Hassan said ensuring the public enterprises’ strategic plans are in alignment with the NDS 2024-2028 and the SDGs is not only a mere administrative practice but a vital step in safeguarding the country’s future.

He noted that while financial performance still remains a cornerstone of the country’s expectations, in today’s world, the lens must be broadened beyond the balance sheets to also consider the social and environmental impacts on public enterprises’ operations.

“Are your enterprise contributing to the creation of a more equitable society? Are they playing a role in preserving our environment? These are the questions that must guide our efforts as we seek to maximise stakeholder value not just in monetary terms but in the broader sense of societal value,” stated Minister Hassan.

He called on the participants to showcase their leadership, commitments, expertise and innovations to move the alignment forward to be successfully woven into the fabric of their respective enterprises for the prosperity and wellbeing of generations to come.

For his part the chairman of PEMC, William Zarine, said the alignment of the public enterprises strategic plans to the NDS 2024-2028 and the SDGs should not be seen as a bureaucratic exercise but a critical factor in ensuring the national and organisational goals are harmonised, thereby optimising their impact and resources allocation.

“As leaders and key decision-makers, it is our responsibility to ensure that our public enterprises contribute meaningfully to our national development objectives. Aligning our strategies with the NDS and the SDGs is not just a regulatory requirement but a strategic advantage that positions us as proactive contributors to sustainable development,” Mr Zarine stated.

Prior to the training session, a survey was carried out in July to assess the practical side of the different PEs’ strategic plans in relation to NDS and the SDGs for discussion and evaluation in the mapping exercise.

In an interview with the media, Meryl Pelissier Tonet, principal business analysis at PEMC, said that from the survey’s findings, the majority of the strategic plans are more or less in line with the NDS and the SDGs but the enterprises still lack some awareness, technical support and assistance to address gaps.

“They will need to go back and reflect and discuss collectively on how their respective organisation’s strategies are connected with the NDS and the SDGs and to make the necessary alignment,” said Mrs Tonet.

PEMC and MFNPT plan to host similar sessions for other public enterprises.

Also present yesterday were representatives from UNDP.

Courtesy: Nation.sc