 Mauritian Textile: first in Africa |
For the past 25 years the textile industry has been playing a
significant role in the economy of Mauritius. Today, Mauritius is the world’s third
largest exporter of knitwear. « We are the first textile manufacturer
and exporter in Africa and with this know how and experience we think that we can develop
further the textile business in those African countries which are neighbours of Mauritius.
An example is what have been done in Madagascar, we are now looking at Mozambique,
Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and all those countries which have high
unemployement and which America wants to help by trade» said Mr. Maurice Vigier de La Tour, the chairman of the Mauritius Export
Processing Zone Association (MEPZA) and one of the directors of Floreal Knitwear, which is of the
main textile firm on the island.
From its traditional European market through the Lomé Convention,
Mauritius is diversifying its textile exports toward the United States. «Today Europe
still represents between 80 and 85% of our total exports but the US represents over 15%
and is reaching 20%».
Mr François Woo, Managing
Director of Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile Ltee
(CMT) which is another modern textile firm said « we strongly believe in
investment. We have not only invested in technology or machines but in our people as well.
Last year we took an important decision increasing by two-folds our production capacity.
We were producing 1.2 million pieces of garments per month and at present we have
increased our capacity to 1.8 million pieces. Our goal is to achieve a production of 2.3
to 2.5 million pieces per month. We had to invest 35 million USD in our existing field of
activities». Giving an explanation on the role of the MEPZA, Mrs
Danielle Wong said that the association is here to lobby for their members defend
their interest namely in legal aspect,national budget and labour rules and regulations within the industry. | « Since 1992, we
have set up a National Quality Award to emphasise the importance of quality to our
members, as quality remains a key ingredient to the export sector in order to be
competitive. In 1995 we raised the standard of the National Quality Award to International
norms so as to have a more holistic approach on the world market. We also provide
intensive training and we organise seminars for the people of the association. We have
just created a Business Ethics Award where we encouraged our members to be corruption free
and abide by the rules of Transparency International to remain a sound industry within the
economy.»
The Export Processing Zone Development Authority (EPZDA) headed by Mr. Nikhil Treebhoohun has been set up as a support institution in order to help the textile industry to upgrade its technology, to follow closely the trend fashion in Europe and the US markets, to develop a Mauritian style. Last year there was the opening of the Clothing Technology Centre and the organisation of Trend Forum Autumn/ Winter 1999-2000 in order that Mauritian textile production reflects the trend of its markets. It has been suggested that Mauritius should develop something from the sugar cane fibre and designers and technologists are working on it at the Clothing Technology Centre of the EPZDA. |
