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Manufacturing Industry

Over the past decades, the manufacturing industry has played an instrumental role in the economic diversification and transformation of Mauritius. Today, the manufacturing industry contributes 12,9% (2023) to our GDP, exporting 1,500 product lines to 115 countries worldwide and provides employment to nearly 62,000 persons.

Mauritius has earned a good name as a high quality and reliable supplier in different sectors such as Textile and Apparel, Seafood Processing, Jewellery and Light Engineering. Continuous innovation and adherence to international norms have contributed to position Mauritius among the Top 5 countries in Africa in the UNCTAD Productive Capacities Index (2023). The industry is currently focusing on transformation and high value addition and is engaged in developing a regional supply chain to serve the African Continent.


Mauritius is taking full advantage of its preferential market access to nearly 70% of the world to export a wide range of products. We export mainly to EU, USA and South Africa. A number of incentives have been devised to attract potential investors and position Mauritius as a Focal Point in the region and countries where Mauritius enjoys preferential market access. These incentives include a low tax regime, duty-free import and export of raw materials and 8-year tax holiday under the High-tech Scheme.


To discover Mauritian products ‘Made with Care’, kindly visit our online Virtual Exhibition Platform: MauritiusExpo

0 %
CONTRIBUTION TO GDP 2023
84900
EMPLOYMENT
300
LARGE ESTABLISHMENTS

Discover our Sectors

    • Textile & Apparel

      With more than 50 years of impressive journey and considered as the catalyst of industrialisation, the Textile & Apparel (T&A) industry remains a major contributor to the economy with Total Exports amounting to MUR 20,7 Bn in 2023. With its unique blend of expertise, innovation, ethical and sustainable practices, Mauritius is today a key exporter of Textile & Apparel products in Sub-Saharan Africa.

      With over 70% preferential market access, T&A products originating from Mauritius benefit from an impressive preferential margin of 25% to 44.1%. Furthermore, a low tax regime in Mauritius, such as 3% corporate tax on profits derived from exports, coupled with other incentives and rebates, further add to the merits of Mauritius as an attractive investment destination for Textile and Apparel.

      The Textile & Apparel Industry has earned a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality product and is supplying to renowned international fashion brands such as Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, CK, Woolworth, Truworths, Cape Union, Levis, Fabiani, amongst many others. Our portfolio includes T-shirts, denim, shirts, trousers, high-end suits, sportswear, children’s wear, pullovers, uniforms, beachwear and lingerie.

      The industry has innovated its offerings over the last five decades from a basic Cut-Make to a Full Package Production with Vertically Integrated suppliers, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and responsible practices by adhering to a wide range of international standards, such as GOTS, OEKO – TEX, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, REACH, SMETA, Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Science Based Target Initiative.

    • Investment Opportunities
      • Spinning and weaving
      • High-end sustainable garment production
      • Seamless garments
      • Fabric production (weaving and knitting)
      • Technical & Medical textiles
      • Non-woven such as sanitary towels and baby diapers
      • Other garments and non-garments (Medtech, Geotech, etc)
    • Alcoholic Beverages

      Mauritius stands out as a strong global player in beverages segment. The Island natural uniqueness results into exotic beverages and alcoholic drinks. Producers’ inspirations and recipes have transformed into novel drinks flavors such as moringa juice, non-alcoholic cocktails and herbal tea infusions.

      Mauritius produces both Agricultural Rums (distilled from fresh-cut sugar cane juice) & Traditional Rums (molasses-based rums). With such a rich seam of history and heritage to draw on, Mauritian spirits are well placed to capitalize on this trend, offering a broad range of styles and flavours. Mauritius makes some truly exceptional rums, but where it stands out from its competitors, is in its infusions. The island distillers and bottlers have innovated to bring a large spirits segment, ranging from Cane-Vodka, tropical fruits Lychee and Victoria Pineapple wines to Beer.

      In line with the vision of graduating the offering of the classic Mauritian Rums to a new level of sophistication, a large variety of infused rums has been introduced, which uses the island’s local fruits and spices, such as Queen Victoria pineapples, vanilla beans, coffee, ginger, chillies, coconut and passion fruits. As opposed to tasting like a sweet syrup, the outcome is a flavoursome, palatable spirit with hints of coffee, roasted vanilla, spicy chilli and tart passion fruit.

      Rum being part of Mauritius’ cultural heritage has been to reach out among global drink lovers. Today, we have a range of over 35 rums performing exceptionally in international tasting competitions such as London Spirits Competition, China Wine & Spirit Awards, The Spirits Business, World Rum Awards, World Spirits Awards, German Rum Awards, Ultimate Spirits Challenge and International Wine & Spirit Competition amongst others. Mauritian rums are distributed throughout Europe, Africa, US and Asia.

      This sector main attributes are:

      • Companies: 21 companies: 6 Distillers
      • Brands: +30
      • Export Destinations: +20
    • Investment Opportunities
      • Low/Zero alcoholic drinks
      • Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails
      • Distillery and Bottling plant
    • Jewellery

      Mauritius has a long history of skilled craftsmanship in jewellery that contributed to the production of high-end jewellery for both local and international brands. Today, the Jewellery Sector represents an important segment of the country’s economy, with total exports amounting to MUR 6 billion (2023). We currently export cut and polished diamond, high-quality jewellery, as well as costume jewellery to Vietnam, France, Belgium, Switzerland, USA and Germany.

      Besides traditional gold and gemstone jewellery, local manufacturers have expanded and diversified their offerings into other types of jewellery such as silver and costume jewellery to cater for different market segments.

      Mauritius is engaged in positioning itself as a hub for manufacturing and trading of diamond and high-end jewellery products. The country has historically been a popular destination for jewellery investors mainly due to its favourable business environment, access to skilled artisans and craftsmen, duty exemption, policies on import and export of precious metals and precious stones and duty-free access to around 50% of the world’s population.

    • Business Climate
      • Precious metals (gold, silver and platinum) are exempted from duties and taxes (Excise Duty, Import Duty, VAT)
      • Export duties are not applicable in Mauritius
      • Duty free access to around 50% of the world population
      • Gold importation has been liberalized
      • Regional value chain integration
      • Mauritius is a member of the Kimberley Process Certification since 2003
      • Regulated Assay Office equipped with gemmological and gold purity testing lab
    • Investment Opportunities
      • Manufacturing of high-end and luxury jewellery products
      • Cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones
      • Manufacturing of costume jewellery
      • Precious metal refining
      • Vaulting services
    • Light Engineering

      With an employment of around 13,500 persons, that represents 22% of total jobs generated in the manufacturing industry, the Light Engineering cluster exported to the tune of MUR 17 Bn in 2023.

      This cluster remains the engine of the industrial sector as it generates both primary and secondary supplies for the local and regional markets. The Light Engineering sector manufactures a substantial diversity of products ranging from basic engineering materials to high-tech. This wide portfolio includes furniture, plastic, printing & packaging, through to basic metal and chemicals up to high precision metal engineering, electronics, optical, watch parts and OEMs.

      Today, the country proudly houses a growing number of high-tech manufacturing enterprises using state-of-the-art technologies. This promising sector is expected to experience export leaps in the coming years with the rise of African industrialization, generating demand for electronic consumer goods and equipment. The Light Engineering Sector is poised to becoming an important engine for our renewable energy transition. As a small island state with an important sustainability agenda, the sector will be key to pushing for eco-friendly operations by increasing access to the supply of solar panels, electric batteries, and eco-friendly mobility.

    • Investment Opportunities

      Metal Fabrication

      • Steel construction bars
      • Die casts

      Printing and Packaging

      • Paper products
      • Flexible packaging
      • Carton boxes
      • Office stationnery
      • Books and periodicals

      Plastic products

      • Manufacturer of plastic products

       Paints and Chemicals

      • Soap and detergents
      • Pant and coatings
      • Speciality chemicals
      • Organic agricultural inputs
      • Eco-friendly cleaning products

      Recycling

      • Manufacturer of pellets, billets
      • Recycling of paper, plastic, glass, metals, oil, rubber, electronic devices
    • Seafood Processing

      Mauritius has a total maritime zone of 2.3 million square kilometers with an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.96 million square kilometers and a continental shelf of 396,000 square kilometers co-managed with the Republic of Seychelles.

      The Seafood Processing sector is growing as one of the strongest pillars of our economy with a total export value of MUR 16,1 Billion in 2023. Mauritius is amongst the topmost African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) exporters of canned tuna to the European Union (EU). Our offering includes canned tuna, pre-cooked vacuum-packed tuna loins, frozen tuna loins/steaks, frozen fish fillets, fresh chilled whole fish/fish fillets, smoked fish, salted fish, fish oil and fish meal.

      The Mauritius seafood hub has facilities for trading, transshipment, storage and warehousing, processing, distribution and re-export of fresh, chilled and frozen raw or value-added seafood products.

    • Advantages
      • Amongst topmost African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) exporters of canned tuna to the European Union (EU).
      • Preferential Market Access to Africa, China, India, Europe and Regional Markets.
      • Certification of fish and fish products for export to Member States of the European Union (EU) is available locally.
      • Support for Trade Promotion & Marketing Scheme allowing 60% refund on air freight costs incurred on exports of chilled fish to Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, the USA and Vietnam.
    • Investment Opportunities
      • Processing plants
      • Cold storage facilities
      • Value-added seafood products
      • Processing of fish wastes/feed

Attractiveness of Mauritius

Mauritius offers a number of benefits to international manufacturing companies to set up production units locally.

These benefits include :

  • 8-year income tax-holiday for companies engaged in the manufacturing of high-tech products
  • No import duties on equipment and raw materials
  • No export duties
  • VAT on raw materials is payable at customs clearance but reimbursable at exports
  • Accelerated depreciation on machinery, equipment and construction of industrial premises dedicated to manufacturing activities
  • Tax incentives for Research and Development (R&D)
  • Freight Rebate Scheme:
    • Refund of 25% of the Basic Freight Cost to a maximum of USD 300 per 20-feet container and USD 600 per 40 –feet container exported to 47 eligible ports in Africa including Madagascar and Reunion.
    • Extension of the Freight Rebate Scheme on the South African market for SMEs.
  • Support for Trade Promotion & Marketing Scheme:
    • 60% refund on air freight costs incurred on exports of all agricultural and non-agricultural products manufactured in Mauritius except for machinery, live animals and chemicals.
    • Exporting agents of locally manufactured products are eligible to the Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme.
  • Streamlined procedures for the recruitment of expatriates and foreign labour with a 10-year work permit policy for expatriates in the manufacturing sector
  • Preferential access to 70% of the World market through :
    AfCFTA, AGOA, CEPCA, COMESA, EPA, GSP, IOC, SADC, China FTA, Turkey FTA & Pakistan FTA
  • Freight Rebate Scheme
  • Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme (TPMS)
  • SME Refund Scheme
  • Africa Warehousing Scheme
  • Export Credit Guarantee Insurance Scheme

Incentives & Schemes

Through a panoply of schemes and unique incentives offered, EDB Mauritius supports the expansion and growth of business operations as a way to enhance substantive and value-added economic activities in Mauritius.

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“Medew Holdings was established to produce, process and market avocado domestically and for export. Mauritius was identified as a country which is politically and economically stable. With the strong support of the EDB and the Mauritian government, within a short timeframe, Medew Holdings Ltd has been able to successfully import avocado seeds and plants for cultivation”

Medew Holdings Ltd

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Setting up in Mauritius means joining a long list of world-class businesses that have chosen our country as their regional base of operations. These exceptional businesses include:

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