The textile industry in Mauritius faces several challenges that threaten its viability. It has experienced negative growth rates over the past few years and is a major pillar of the economy. The document outlines weaknesses of the industry and proposes solutions at both the strategic industry level and company level to restructure and strengthen the textile sector in Mauritius. These include empowering small and medium enterprises, addressing challenges, and developing sustainable practices.

1. Difficulties & Challenges of the Textile Industry Presented by: RAMKELAWON Bhisham For EMPRETEC Mauritius 29/07/2010

2. Overview Overview of Industry Challenges of the Textile Industry Solutions to the Industry Concluding Note

3. Where are we now? (…) the EPZ sector, as one of the major pillars of the economy, has been going through a difficult period during these last three years. It registered negative growth rates of 6%, 6% and 6.8% respectively in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This year too, the EPZ is expected to register a negative growth of 8%. The situation is therefore not rosy at all.” Hons Rageshwar Jeetah 2005

4. Some Facts of the Textile Industry……. Textile sector represents: 42% of our total merchandise exports Rs25,7 billions foreign earnings Gross Domestic Product equals to 12,048 millions as shown in the diagram: Textile to grow by 1.0% compared to -2.9% in 2009, based on exports figures for the first five months of 2010 ( CSO Mauritius) All these figures lead to the conclusion that we need to consolidate this sector by addressing to the challenges Market Leaders: CMT, Ciel Textile Source : Mauritius Chamber of Commerce

5. Challenges of Textile Industry: Weaknesses of this Industry

6. Action Plan 1: Proposed Solutions at Strategic Level Restructure Textile Industry:-Empowe and develop more on SMEs

7. Action 2: Proposed Solutions at Company Level

8. Example of a Local Company Developing Sustainable Development

9. Concluding Note The success of the textile and clothing industry lies therefore in the capacity of all stakeholders to rapidly adapt to the changing economic environment and on their will to meet the new challenges ahead of them together.