The Textile and Apparel Industry

The textile industry is one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy. In order to fight unemployment, which was rampant, the government created the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in 1971. It has undergone many changes in its almost thirty years of existence. Equipped with a high skilled labour force and efficient management practices, Mauritius manufactures products of excellence like Boss, Ralph Lauren, etc. for export towards the EU and USA. Great emphasis is laid on quality control.
Mauritian textile industry enjoys a good reputation among professional textile buyers. Famous textile distributors / retailers like 3 Suisses, Galeries Lafayette, Harrods, Selfridges, Mast and the Gap source out their products from Mauritius. To face the present economic situation investments are being made in new technology with an aim of making Mauritius a centre for capital-intensive activities such as spinning, weaving, design, marketing and logistics.


Manufacturing sector

Besides textiles the Export Processing Zone has also got companies which are involved in the production of light engineering goods, jewellery, printing and publishing, electronics, high precision plastics, information technology and pharmaceutical products. Most of the goods are produced for the export market.