39 companies selected for the 2025 edition
On Thursday, January 30, Made in Moris officially presented the 40 companies that make up the 2025 cohort of its On the Road to Made in Moris (ERVM) program. The opening ceremony took place at Kocottes in Saint-Pierre at the Made in Moris premises. This presentation was attended by Hon. Aadil Ameer Meea, Minister of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives, and Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry, Minister of Finance.
The On the Road to Made in Moris program is aimed at Mauritian SMEs and is designed to help them obtain the Made in Moris label while enhancing their competitiveness in the local market. Supported by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, this program offers free support to the selected businesses. Participants will follow workshops led by experts from the Made in Moris ecosystem.
This year, 90 companies submitted their applications for the 2025 cohort, with 39 selected based on the maturity of their business and their potential to obtain the label.
Continuing Success from the 2024 Cohort
Following the success of the first cohort in 2024, where 35 companies obtained the Made in Moris label after a rigorous process, the 2025 edition aims to replicate and amplify these results. In 2024, out of the 90 applications received, 40 companies were selected, 38 completed the training, and 35 received the label, demonstrating a strong enthusiasm for ERVM. This year, 39 Mauritian companies have been chosen out of the 90 applications.
“The success of the 2024 cohort proves that personalized guidance, combined with practical tools and training from experts and professionals, can transform the potential of SMEs into tangible results. Some of the participants in the cohort saw their sales increase, others gained access to export markets, and some saw a boost in productivity. We are excited to see this momentum continue with the new cohort. The program, which remains intensive, aims to foster collaboration among the participants over the next few months, allowing them to not only achieve the label but also find opportunities to collaborate and grow their respective SMEs. We would like to thank our quality and training partners for their contribution to the program, as well as all the entrepreneurs who have joined this journey, including those who applied. Their commitment and ambition are the driving forces behind this program. We are confident that the 2025 cohort will continue to demonstrate the excellence and innovation of Mauritian businesses,” said Yann Charlotte, Project Manager of Operations and Business Development at Made in Moris.
A Free and Intensive Program to Support Mauritian SMEs
The On the Road to Made in Moris program offers participants 65 hours of training, 4 hours of company diagnostics conducted by SGS and NPCC, 18 hours of personalized coaching, as well as masterclasses and networking events. The workshops cover essential topics such as standards, quality, operations, productivity, human resources, branding, communication, public relations, and sustainability. Additionally, two masterclasses enrich the program: Financial Literacy for SMEs (offered by Punch, MCB’s platform) and Export Readiness by the Economic Development Board. Networking events are also held to encourage synergies between local businesses.
The workshops, led by experts from the Made in Moris ecosystem, aim to provide concrete and practical tools to help local businesses overcome their structural challenges and strengthen their competitiveness in the Mauritian market.
“We expect the 2025 cohort to demonstrate as much rigor and investment as the previous one. The results and testimonials from their predecessors attest to the added value this program – and, by extension, the label – brings to the participants. With this second cohort, we also aim to highlight our labeling procedure, our specifications, and, consequently, the values upheld by Made in Moris. We are indeed a label of origin, and promoting local expertise is essential. However, we also address awareness and accountability issues in terms of partnership, innovation, and sustainability, from the source of the consumption chain (the producer) to consumer waste. This is where our work resonates at all levels of Mauritian society, and no one is better positioned to carry this message than entrepreneurs who share our vision and have chosen to take the leap,” added Charlotte Moothooveeren, Project Executive at Made in Moris.
A Promising Future for the 2025 Cohort
During the ceremony, entrepreneurs from the new cohort had the opportunity to meet with members of the Made in Morisnetwork, as well as experts and partners of the program. The event also emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and the spirit of collaboration, which are key values within the label.
Remarks by Shirin Gunny, CEO of Made in Moris and the AMM
“Today, we celebrate more than the launch of a new cohort. We affirm a belief: our ability to reinvent ourselves, build a strong ecosystem, and make our local production shine. This is not a simple transition, it’s proof. Proof of the vitality of our industrial fabric, our resilience, and our collective ambition. Last year, we had one responsibility: to lay the foundations of this program. Today, we must go even further. Made in Moris is not just a label, it’s a movement. An alliance between government, private sector, producers, distributors, institutions, and consumers. Because one pillar alone is not enough, we need connections, synergy, and shared commitment.
These 40 business leaders have chosen to invest in this journey. We have a duty: to turn this commitment into success. Strengthening our local production is not just about creating jobs. It’s about structuring a network of know-how, multiplying opportunities, producing intelligently and sustainably. It’s also about reducing our carbon footprint, strengthening our economic independence, and ensuring that every product made locally carries a part of our identity and excellence. We have a choice: unite or fade away, build or endure, choose or give up. Our manufacturing sector is a strategic investment, and today more than ever, we must defend, strengthen, and raise it to the level of our ambitions. Together, let’s make Made in Moris not just a quality brand but a driving force for transformation in our economy and future,” concluded Shirin Gunny.
Remarks by Lawrence Wong, President of the AMM
“Made in Moris is not just a label, it’s a commitment. A commitment to a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient local production. Through the On the Road to Made in Moris program, we are helping businesses structure themselves and build their skills. This initiative, supported by our partners – the government, MCB, NPCC, and SGS – is a success, strengthening our industrial fabric and valuing Mauritian know-how. But strengthening our local production is much more than creating jobs. It’s about building connections, multiplying opportunities, creating a circular economy, and producing intelligently and sustainably. It’s also about nurturing national pride, where each company is a link, each product a declaration of economic independence.
In 2025, the AMM will celebrate its 30th anniversary, 30 years of fighting to make the manufacturing sector a central pillar of our economy and a catalyst for transformation. Today, more than ever, we must emphasize the strategic importance of this sector. Last year, in 2024, the manufacturing sector represented about 12.3% of GDP in direct contribution, and when including its indirect effects, it contributed nearly 20% of GDP. This growth is remarkable: the sector has seen its contribution double in the last 20 years, reaching Rs 76.9 billion in 2024. A shining example of this resilience is the food and beverage sub-sector, whose contribution has more than quadrupled, from Rs 7.2 billion in 2004 to Rs 33.3 billion in 2024, now representing 5.5% of GDP. In terms of jobs, the manufacturing sector directly employs 90,000 people and, by extension, supports between 175,000 and 200,000 workers, or nearly 2 in 5 employees in the country. But the potential of our sector is much greater. 20 years ago, we represented just over 20% of national GDP. This means that if we had maintained our contribution, our share of the national pie would have been Rs 121 billion.
At the AMM, we are committed to placing the manufacturing sector and Made in Moris at the heart of all economic ambitions and development strategies. We fully share the government’s vision for an economy focused on productivity, innovation, and sustainability. The manufacturing sector is positioning itself as a strategic lever to transform Mauritius into a “Green and Blue Economy.”
Remarks by Hon. Aadil Ameer Meea, Minister of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives
“Made in Moris is not just a label, it’s a driver of transformation for our local industry. Through the On the Road to Made in Moris program, we have put in place a structure to help Mauritian businesses enhance their visibility and increase their competitiveness. This program, supported by the government, MCB, NPCC, and SGS, is a success that demonstrates the ability of our entrepreneurs to structure themselves and evolve towards more innovative and sustainable production. We know that strengthening our local production is much more than creating jobs. It’s about building relationships, multiplying opportunities, building a circular economy, and reducing our carbon footprint. It’s also about producing differently, intelligently, and sustainably. Every Made in Moris product is a declaration of economic independence, a commitment to local know-how, and a response to the growing competition from imports.
Today, as the AMM celebrates its 30th anniversary, we must remind everyone of the impact of the manufacturing sector on our economy. Our industry is a pillar of the country’s development. But we can and must go further. We must innovate, modernize our processes, and fully seize the opportunities offered by our regional trade agreements.
That’s why the government is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector by putting in place concrete measures, such as strengthening SME capabilities through programs like the Internal Capability Development Scheme and the Technology and Innovation Scheme, accelerating digitization and Industry 4.0, integrating artificial intelligence and IoT technologies into production, and facilitating access to financing with initiatives like the Leasing Equipment Modernization Scheme and the Modernization and Transformation Fund.
We firmly believe that the future of our industry lies in its internationalization. That’s why the government is committed to optimizing the use of existing trade agreements with COMESA, SADC, and AfCFTA to increase regional trade and position Mauritius as a manufacturing hub.
With this second cohort of the On the Road to Made in Moris program, we have a unique opportunity to transform our businesses, allowing them to innovate more, ensure their sustainability, and better compete globally. I wish every participant in this cohort a journey full of learning and success. May this adventure be a springboard towards a future where Made in Moris is not just a label, but a reference for excellence and innovation for our country.”
Remarks by Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry, Deputy Minister of Finance
“Made in Moris is much more than just a label. It’s a collective commitment, a driver of transformation for our local industry, and a symbol of national pride. It creates a strong link between the consumer and the product, encouraging Mauritians to adopt engaged consumption patterns. Each choice of a labeled product is an act of citizenship that supports local employment and boosts our economy.
But obtaining this trust badge is not enough. To succeed, we need to go further. We need to differentiate our products, retain customers, and master marketing and the value chain to capture a greater share of the added value. This is how our local businesses will become champions in their markets.
We firmly believe that the future of our industry lies in its internationalization. That’s why the government is committed to helping businesses in this process. We’ve conducted a thorough analysis of our regional agreements to identify hidden opportunities that could benefit local producers. Once this study is completed, we will share our findings to facilitate the expansion of our businesses beyond our borders.
In the meantime, the first opportunity is here, now: to come together, exchange our experiences, and better understand African markets. This is how the Association can play a catalytic role, building bridges with exporting businesses and welcoming new members. Expanding the Made in Moris network is an essential step in spreading knowledge and creating national momentum.
Together, let’s make our local production a benchmark, not just in Mauritius but internationally.”
Shavin Kissoondharry, Manager of Strategy and Product Delivery at MCB Group
“MCB firmly believes that the growth of Mauritian businesses requires a combination of tailored financing and training solutions. That’s why we are committed to supporting businesses, not only financially but also by providing them with the tools they need to grow, innovate, and adapt to market challenges.
This second edition of On the Road to Made in Moris perfectly embodies this desire to support innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. It offers a unique platform for local businesses to prepare and get involved in expanding their products while staying grounded in the authenticity and know-how that makes our island rich.
Through this program, participants have the opportunity to strengthen their skills, face real challenges, and receive quality support to transform their ideas into real successes. It’s a true journey of growth, creativity, and collaboration.
As a bank, MCB has always been dedicated to contributing to Mauritius’s economic development. For decades, we’ve supported businesses of all sizes and sectors by providing tailored financial solutions and defining growth strategies. But beyond financing, it’s this approach to training, knowledge sharing, and advice that sets us apart.
Thus, this On the Road to Made in Moris program perfectly reflects this vision: enabling our local businesses to stand out with a guarantee of quality while preserving their local identity. You are living proof that our island is full of talent capable of creating high-quality products and services, which are not only drivers of growth but also pride for our island.”
