Thousands of small enterprises have been working hard during the year. Many have taken loans and invested in machinery, vehicles and equipment, buildings, advertisement, emplo-ying people, etc. Despite rising costs, our entrepreneurs have persevered, motivated by the strong message conveyed by the government that it is here to promote SME empowerment.

Now that the festive season is approaching, small businesses are looking forward to a good end of year market for their products. Unfortunately, the ministry of Commerce, the very institution that is battling to promote and protect small entrepreneurs, has again allowed trade fairs to take place. Another Indo-Pak something trade fair is to be held at the Freeport. This means a handful of importers will make fast bucks in a matter of days by inundating the market and attracting huge crowds to its fair, where container loads of cheap imported products will be liquidated, without having to invest in shops, factories, permits and licences, etc. All this to the detriment of small shops, small entrepreneurs, local producers, manufacturers, artisans, cabinet makers, tailors, dress makers, handicraft makers, etc.

In other words, snatching their market and signing their death certificate! Until December, a dozen other fairs will be held with the gracious permission of the ministry of Commerce!

Who will compensate these people who have been toiling for a year in the hope of making a good business during the festive season? Why encourage them to start their own business, take loans, invest, when at the end there is no reward for effort? For how long will the ministry of Commerce tolerate these unfair fairs that are seriously affecting SMEs in Mauritius?

A disappointed entrepreneur