GS1 Mauritius & MNS Celebrate 30 Yrs of Standardization & Innovation

On July 26th, GS1 Mauritius and Mauritius Network Services (MNS) celebrated three decades of impactful presence in the country, bringing together approximately one hundred prominent figures from the Mauritian industry. This event commemorated thirty years of standardization and innovation that have significantly transformed the nation’s economic landscape.

Drishtysingh Ramdenee, the Secretary General of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and CEO of GS1 Mauritius, emphasized the vital role of GS1 Mauritius in establishing a common language for businesses.

This shared framework has enabled effective communication on a global scale.

According to Ramdenee, what initially started as a tool for hypermarkets has evolved into a passport for Mauritian products in international markets.

“The impact of this standardization quickly extended beyond the retail sector,” he explained.

“Mauritian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which were once restricted to local markets, have been able to integrate into global supply chains through the adoption of GS1 standards.

Exporters have witnessed enhanced credibility and traceability for their products in foreign markets, unlocking new opportunities for growth.”

Sonny Wong, the chairman of GS1 Mauritius, highlighted this remarkable transformation with compelling statistics.

He noted that the organization’s database currently includes over 3,000 companies, while approximately 2,000 entrepreneurs have received training in barcode usage, with 83% of users being SMEs.

“These figures illustrate the story of an economy undergoing profound transformation, where standardization has served as a catalyst for growth and internationalization.”

In conjunction with GS1 Mauritius, Mauritius Network Services (MNS) has played a crucial complementary role in this transformation.

Established in 1994 under a public-private partnership model, MNS has developed the necessary technological infrastructure to maximize the benefits of the standardization introduced by GS1.

This synergy between standardization and digitization has positioned Mauritius as an innovation hub in the region.

The event also served as a platform to unveil the future vision of GS1 Mauritius. Sonny Wong announced the SUNRISE 2027 strategy, which aims to transition users to 2D barcodes.

“This transition is not merely a technological advancement; it represents an opportunity to embed more information about the quality, sustainability, and origin of our products directly into the barcode,” he explained.

“We envision a future where every Mauritian product will carry not only a unique identifier but also the story of its origin and quality.”

This initiative is part of a broader ambition to position Mauritian products on the global market under the banner “A piece of paradise.”

The goal is to leverage 2D barcode technology to convey the image of quality and sustainability associated with Mauritius, thereby adding value to local products in international markets.

Rajnish Hawabhay, CEO of MNS, reflected on the company’s inception in April 1994 as a public-private partnership aimed at facilitating trade.

He took the opportunity to introduce three innovative solutions: Track2Asset, DocuChek, and the API Mall.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled “30 Years of Innovation,” which brought together local and international experts. Discussions highlighted the global impact of GS1 standards.

Christina Sam See Moi, Senior Manager at Innodis, shared how adopting GS1 standards has allowed her company to streamline operations and gain easier access to international markets. “This is a crucial competitive advantage in an increasingly globalized world,” she asserted.

As the celebration concluded, the Secretary General of the MCCI expressed confidence that the next thirty years would witness even deeper integration of standards across all facets of the Mauritian economy, including the health sector.

Source: l’Express