Some 110 operators and support service providers are participating in the ‘Textile Forum 2010 - State of the Sector and Horizon 2010’ held since March 18, at the Hilton Resort and Spa in Wolmar. The two-day Forum, which is an Enterprise Mauritius event, is expected to come up with a set of strategies that would define the way forward for, and uphold, the local textile industry over the next three years.
The Forum aims at providing a platform for sharing information on the evolution of the global apparel sector, fashion trends and changes in consumer behaviour. Participants, among whom are representatives from small and medium enterprises as well as large companies engaged in textile and clothing sectors together with representatives of the financial and banking sectors, have the opportunity to assess the present strength and weaknesses of the Mauritian textile industry and put forth their queries as regards potential strategic responses. Presentations by industry experts from the textile, logistics and financial sectors are scheduled during the two days.
At the launching of the Forum, the Minister of Industry, Science and Research, Mr D. Gokhool, highlighted the need to address factors such as logistics as well as social and environmental compliance to enable the country to gain a competitive edge and increase its market share. The minister also called on participants to examine the means to capture niche markets and to overcome the challenges posed by the emergence of new suppliers who are in direct competition to Mauritius.
For his part, the Chairman of Enterprise Mauritius, Mr A. Darga, listed the measures taken by Enterprise Mauritius to accompany the textile and clothing sector in Mauritius in face of the economic crisis: developing new markets such as Italy and Scandinavia, marketing trip support to enable exporters to showcase their products, and promoting medium size companies to higher level of exports through an integrated support programme, among others. Mr Darga urged participants to seize the opportunity provided by the Forum to inform policy makers on how best to support the industry so that by 2015, the textile and apparel sector remains an important pillar of the economy.
It is to be noted that the textile and apparel industry accounts for 4.9% of GDP, 8.9% of the active labour force, 41.5 % of total merchandise exports and 64.9% of EOE - Export Oriented Enterprises – exports.
The Forum aims at providing a platform for sharing information on the evolution of the global apparel sector, fashion trends and changes in consumer behaviour. Participants, among whom are representatives from small and medium enterprises as well as large companies engaged in textile and clothing sectors together with representatives of the financial and banking sectors, have the opportunity to assess the present strength and weaknesses of the Mauritian textile industry and put forth their queries as regards potential strategic responses. Presentations by industry experts from the textile, logistics and financial sectors are scheduled during the two days.
At the launching of the Forum, the Minister of Industry, Science and Research, Mr D. Gokhool, highlighted the need to address factors such as logistics as well as social and environmental compliance to enable the country to gain a competitive edge and increase its market share. The minister also called on participants to examine the means to capture niche markets and to overcome the challenges posed by the emergence of new suppliers who are in direct competition to Mauritius.
For his part, the Chairman of Enterprise Mauritius, Mr A. Darga, listed the measures taken by Enterprise Mauritius to accompany the textile and clothing sector in Mauritius in face of the economic crisis: developing new markets such as Italy and Scandinavia, marketing trip support to enable exporters to showcase their products, and promoting medium size companies to higher level of exports through an integrated support programme, among others. Mr Darga urged participants to seize the opportunity provided by the Forum to inform policy makers on how best to support the industry so that by 2015, the textile and apparel sector remains an important pillar of the economy.
It is to be noted that the textile and apparel industry accounts for 4.9% of GDP, 8.9% of the active labour force, 41.5 % of total merchandise exports and 64.9% of EOE - Export Oriented Enterprises – exports.
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