Mauritius is one of the largest fully fashioned knitwear producer, the thirdlargest exporter of pure new wool products, and Europes fourth largestsupplier of T-shirts. In the EU, which takes almost two-thirds of exports,Mauritian textile and apparel producers have enjoyed duty- and quota-freeaccess for 37 years under the Lom Convention and later the Cotonou Agreement.Mauritian textiles and apparel companies started to enjoy similar access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, thesebenefits depend on the use of materials made in Sub-Saharan Africa or in the USA. Also they do not cover knit-to-shape apparel.


Mauritius now faces growing competition from lower cost suppliers elsewhere inthe region and from Asian producers, especially since abolition of quotas. Somefirms are responding by moving their operations offshore, including to nearby Madagascar. Others are diversifying from basic knitted and woven shirts, trousers, jeansand fully fashioned knitwear to items of higher added value. For its part, thegovernment sees a wider role for Mauritius as a "Hong Kong or Singapore ofAfrica"- a centre for sourcing products from reliable andquality-conscious suppliers.


Key figures on the Mauritian Textile and GarmentIndustry


Number of employees (2005) 



No. of Employees

Export Processing Zone (Total)

            65 888

Of  Which : Textile and Garment Companies

            49 968


Over 75% of workers in the EPZ sector are employed intextile and garment manufacturing companies

Number of companies (2005)


Type of Company

Number of Units

Export Processing Zone (Total)

497

Of Which  : Garment Manufacturing

216

                 : Textile Yarn and Fabrics

41


ExportsMarkets                                      


The textile and garment sector contributes to nearly 80% of total EPZ exports.Revenue generated from this sector amounted to US $ 892 million worth ofgarments. Traditionally, the main export markets for apparel have been Europeand the USA.


Categories of Products Exported


At present, exports of garments are concentrated in four main categories, i.e.pullovers, T-Shirts, shirts and trousers (which represent over 90% of totalgarment production). However, in recent years, there has been a diversificationinto other product ranges such as childrens wear, beachwear, lingerie, suitsetc.


Product

Value ($) million

T-Shirts/ Polos

318

Trousers

72

Pullovers

82

Shirts

152

Other

155


 

Strengths of the Mauritian Textile and Garment Industry


Even though other sourcing destinations, which offer garments at lower cost, exist, buyers continue to source garments from Mauritius for various reasons. 


  • The industry has evolved from the production of basic garments on a CMT basis, to a modern one producing high value-added garments. International buyers can source garments, which are fashionable and design-led, from Mauritius. Local manufacturers can produce according to buyers specifications or can propose collections. They work in close collaboration with international fashion houses and with local designers.
  • Mauritius has a well-developed Freeport sector which offers logistics facilities such as consolidation of shipments, quality control and shipment services.
  • There are regular sea and air connections to main markets.
  • Leading companies have expanded operations to neighboring countries like Madagascar and Mozambique. Mauritius can thus supply garments at different price points.
  • Expansion into the region has turned Mauritius into the textile hub of excellence in Southern Africa.


Mauritius Trade links with India


Mauritius has a special significance to India for historical, cultural and political reasons. Mauritius enjoys a strategic location in the South-Western Indian Ocean. 68% of its population is of Indian origin. India and Mauritius have very close and unique relations which encompass virtually all aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations characterized by common kinship, culture, religion and interests. Since Independence in 1968, Mauritius has enjoyed close political links with India.


The two sides have maintained a high momentum of bilateral high-level exchanges in line with the excellent bilateral relations. This, in turn, has helped in further consolidation and diversification of bilateral relations.


Bilateral trade between India and Mauritius has increased in recent years and Indian exports have been growing, making India the one of the largest supplier of goods to Mauritius. Indian exports to Mauritius in 2006-07 amounted to US$ 736.53 million while Mauritian exports to India were US$ 15.51Million.


Bilateral Trade between India & Mauritius               

(Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata)


MAURITIUS

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

Volume

180.49

210.56

265.39

206.76

751.04

Total export to country

164.36

203.02

258.2

199.43

736.53

Total Import From country

16.13

7.54

7.19

7.33

14.51

Trade Surplus for India

148.23

195.48

251.01

192.1

722.02


 

Mauritius RMG Import from India


India's RMG export to Mauritius

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

Values in US$ Million

8.72

9.29

10.78

21.41

%Growth

3.44

6.54

16.04

98.61

India's Total export of RMG

6243.12

6573.97

8626.63

8901.82

%Share of Mauritius in RMG export

0.14

0.14

0.12

0.24

Total export to country

203.02

258.20

199.43

736.53

%Growth

23.52

27.18

-22.76

269.31

%Share of RMG in total export to country

4.30

3.60

5.41

2.91


Trade Statistics

(Source: comtrade.com)


Mauritius's Global Import                                         Value in US $ Mn


HS Code

Description

2004

2005

2006

61

Knitted Apparel

6.764

8.320

7.190

62

Woven Apparel

22.047

27.405

25.377


Mauritius's Import from India                                      Value in US $ Mn


HS Code

Description

2004

2005

2006

61

Knitted Apparel

0.615

1.024

0.564

62

Woven Apparel

8.023

10.354

9.419


Mauritius's Import from India                                      Value in US $ Mn


HS Code

Description

India's % share in Mauritiuss global Import

% Growth in India's export to Mauritius  2006/2005

61

Knitted Apparel

0.37

-44.89

62

Woven Apparel

7.006

-9.03




Source: AEPC newsletter