VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Seychelles Trading Company (STC) officially opened a new cold store facility at Bois de Rose on Saturday, a R110 million investment built by local contractor SEYTURK Co. Ltd that positions the country to absorb shocks in international food supply chains. President Wavel Ramkalawan unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut the ribbon alongside First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Roger Mancienne, government ministers, members of the STC board and staff.
The facility has a storage capacity of 2,000 tonnes of food and is equipped with commercial-grade refrigeration gear by Cantec, one of the world’s leading brands for cold storage. A smart refrigeration control system reduces energy use, while a control centre enables remote monitoring of the chillers, which can hold temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees. The system also uses R449A refrigerant, a more environmentally sustainable gas than older alternatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, STC chief executive Ashik Hassan said the technology allows the company to double or even triple its capacity to store produce, fruit, vegetables and meat without compromising quality. He added that the facility allows STC to maintain a buffer stock of food, meaning that interruptions in the international market will no longer affect food supply as in the past. President Ramkalawan, in his address, said the new facility represents a major source of national pride, and reminded workers to maintain it well, noting that two incidents of damage, including a driver who damaged a chiller door and another who damaged a support post, had cost the company money that could have been avoided. The president also noted that the site, previously occupied by a property sold by the opposition for R17 million, was a reminder of what collective effort can achieve. The land had been leased for R50,000 per month before STC took it on at R800,000 per month over 46 months, a figure that has since drawn criticism from the opposition.
