3 Mauritius Companies Invest $2,4m in Textiles

Speaking at the buyers and sellers meeting Mauritius–Zimbabwe, Enterprise Mauritius chairperson Amedee Darga said yearly Mauritian exports to Zimbabwe used to be very high, reaching up to $8 million at one point, while Zimbabwe exports to Mauritius were also equally higher.

“At least I am glad to report that three of the companies that are present in this exhibition have concluded contracts with three partner companies in Zimbabwe, one contract of $500 000, one contact of $1,2 million and another one for $750 000 giving a total of $2,4 million,” Darga said.

He said Mauritian exports last year came down to only $750 000 and declined further to $270 000 in the first quarter of this year.

“There was then a time when Mauritians were eating butter and frozen beef from Zimbabwe and Ziscosteel was also exporting to Mauritius,” he said.

He, however, said Mauritians were currently importing beef, milk, butter, cotton and steel among many others from other countries around the world, mainly Australia and New Zealand.

Darga said Mauritius has a diversified economy with 3,7% to 4,7% growth rate, low inflation and 7% unemployment rate.

He said Mauritius had a booming clothing industry with 200 factories and a viable diamond polishing and cutting industry.

Speaking at the same event, ZimTrade chief executive officer Sithembile Pilime said: “As trade practitioners in Zimbabwe, we need to look at sectors that we are strong at, as well as look at what it is that Mauritius is importing from other parts of the world, which we can supply. There may be a need, in some cases, to improve our packaging and labelling as that is a key selling point. Once we have done this, we would also consider similar missions to Mauritius.”

She added there were plans in the early 2000s for Mauritian experts to assist Zimbabwe in developing and growing its cotton industry.

She said in September this year, Zimbabwe launched the Cotton to Clothing Strategy that will span the period 2014 to 2019 to restore capacity utilisation at textile and clothing firms.

“The strategy seeks, among other interventions, to enhance value addition through implementation of initiatives that are targeted towards improving our ginning capacity through to spinning, weaving as well as finished garments and home textiles,” she said.