Manufacturing Industry

With more than 50 years of impressive journey and considered as the catalyst of industrialisation, the Textile & Apparel (T&A) industry remains a major contributor to the economy with Total Exports amounting to MUR 24,7 Bn in 2022. With its unique blend of expertise, innovation, ethical and sustainable practices, Mauritius is today a key exporter of Textile & Apparel products in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With over 70% preferential market access, T&A products originating from Mauritius benefit from an impressive preferential margin of 25% to 44.1%. Furthermore, a low tax regime in Mauritius, such as 3% corporate tax on profits derived from exports, coupled with other incentives and rebates, further add to the merits of Mauritius as an attractive investment destination for Textile and Apparel.

The Textile & Apparel Industry has earned a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality product and is supplying to renowned international fashion brands such as Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, CK, Woolworth, Truworths, Cape Union, M&S, Fabiani, amongst many others. Our portfolio includes T-shirts, denim, shirts, trousers, high-end suits, sportswear, children’s wear, pullovers, uniforms, beachwear and lingerie.

The industry has innovated its offerings over the last five decades from a basic Cut-Make to a Full Package Production with Vertically Integrated suppliers, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and responsible practices by adhering to a wide range of international standards, such as GOTS, OEKO – TEX, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, REACH, SMETA, Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Science Based Target Initiative.

Mauritius stands out as a strong global player in beverages segment. The Island natural uniqueness results into exotic beverages and alcoholic drinks. Producers’ inspirations and recipes have transformed into novel drinks flavors such as moringa juice, non-alcoholic cocktails and herbal tea infusions.

Mauritius produces both Agricultural Rums (distilled from fresh-cut sugar cane juice) & Traditional Rums (molasses-based rums). With such a rich seam of history and heritage to draw on, Mauritian spirits are well placed to capitalize on this trend, offering a broad range of styles and flavours. Mauritius makes some truly exceptional rums, but where it stands out from its competitors, is in its infusions. The island distillers and bottlers have innovated to bring a large spirits segment, ranging from Cane-Vodka, tropical fruits Lychee and Victoria Pineapple wines to Beer.

In line with the vision of graduating the offering of the classic Mauritian Rums to a new level of sophistication, a large variety of infused rums has been introduced, which uses the island’s local fruits and spices, such as Queen Victoria pineapples, vanilla beans, coffee, ginger, chillies, coconut and passion fruits. As opposed to tasting like a sweet syrup, the outcome is a flavoursome, palatable spirit with hints of coffee, roasted vanilla, spicy chilli and tart passion fruit.

Rum being part of Mauritius’ cultural heritage has been to reach out among global drink lovers. Today, we have a range of over 35 rums performing exceptionally in international tasting competitions such as London Spirits Competition, China Wine & Spirit Awards, The Spirits Business, World Rum Awards, World Spirits Awards, German Rum Awards, Ultimate Spirits Challenge and International Wine & Spirit Competition amongst others. Mauritian rums are distributed throughout Europe, Africa, US and Asia.

This sector main attributes are:

• Exports: $26.8 Mn
• Volume: 22.3 Mn litres
• Companies: 21 companies: 6 Distillers
• Brands: +30
• Export Destinations: +20

Mauritius has a long history of skilled craftsmanship in jewellery that contributed to the production of high-end jewellery for both local and international brands. Today, the Jewellery Sector represents an important segment of the country’s economy, with total exports amounting to MUR 6 billion (2022). We currently export cut and polished diamond, high-quality jewellery, as well as costume jewellery to Vietnam, France, Belgium, Switzerland, USA and Germany.

Besides traditional gold and gemstone jewellery, local manufacturers have expanded and diversified their offerings into other types of jewellery such as silver and costume jewellery to cater for different market segments.

Mauritius is engaged in positioning itself as a hub for manufacturing and trading of diamond and high-end jewellery products. The country has historically been a popular destination for jewellery investors mainly due to its favourable business environment, access to skilled artisans and craftsmen, duty exemption, policies on import and export of precious metals and precious stones and duty-free access to around 50% of the world’s population.

With an employment of around 13,500 persons, that represents 22% of total jobs generated in the manufacturing industry, the Light Engineering cluster exported to the tune of MUR 17,2 Bn in 2022.

This cluster remains the engine of the industrial sector as it generates both primary and secondary supplies for the local and regional markets. The Light Engineering sector manufactures a substantial diversity of products ranging from basic engineering materials to high-tech. This wide portfolio includes furniture, plastic, printing & packaging, through to basic metal and chemicals up to high precision metal engineering, electronics, optical, watch parts and OEMs.

Today, the country proudly houses a growing number of high-tech manufacturing enterprises using state-of-the-art technologies. This promising sector is expected to experience export leaps in the coming years with the rise of African industrialization, generating demand for electronic consumer goods and equipment. The Light Engineering Sector is poised to becoming an important engine for our renewable energy transition. As a small island state with an important sustainability agenda, the sector will be key to pushing for eco-friendly operations by increasing access to the supply of solar panels, electric batteries, and eco-friendly mobility.

Mauritius has a total maritime zone of 2.3 million square kilometers with an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.96 million square kilometers and a continental shelf of 396,000 square kilometers co-managed with the Republic of Seychelles.

The Seafood Processing sector is growing as one of the strongest pillars of our economy with a total export value of MUR 14,9 Billion in 2022. Mauritius is amongst the topmost African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) exporters of canned tuna to the European Union (EU). Our offering includes canned tuna, pre-cooked vacuum-packed tuna loins, frozen tuna loins/steaks, frozen fish fillets, fresh chilled whole fish/fish fillets, smoked fish, salted fish, fish oil and fish meal.

The Mauritius seafood hub has facilities for trading, transshipment, storage and warehousing, processing, distribution and re-export of fresh, chilled and frozen raw or value-added seafood products.