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
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