80 Join ‘Made in Moris’ Highlighting Local Industry’s Bright Future

The first information session of the year for the Made in Moris label was a vibrant affair held at Kocotes in Saint-Pierre. Almost 80 individuals attended, marking an unprecedented turnout that highlighted the escalating enthusiasm for this initiative. This record attendance at initial information session reflected growing interest.

Such sessions are regularly organised to guide local enterprises on how to join and benefit from the Made in Moris label.

Shiksha Kowal, the Communications Officer for Made in Moris, remarked: “This gathering is a strategic moment for us.

We hold three to four information sessions annually, open to all entrepreneurs and interested parties.

Our first session of 2025 has achieved remarkable attendance, significantly surpassing our initial expectations.

The presence of 80 individuals, including students, underscores the growing allure of the label.”

In front of a diverse audience, the Made in Moris team elucidated the membership process.

Attendees ranged from start-up founders and farmers to students from the Escoffier Institute and the University of Mauritius, along with entrepreneurs from sectors such as agro-food, natural cosmetics, automotive maintenance, and recycling.

“Our aim is to clarify the eligibility criteria, the membership process, and the tangible benefits of the label, while also introducing ‘En Route Vers Made in Moris,’ our complimentary skills development programme,” explained the session’s facilitators, Yann Charlotte, Anya Dundoo, and Shiksha Kowal.

The event commenced with a nostalgic overview of the Made in Moris label, which was established in 2012 by the Mauritian Manufacturers’ Association (AMM).

Presently, the label is granted across eight sectors: agro-food, agriculture, textiles, industrial, service industries, cultural and creative sectors, hospitality, and digital.

The Made in Moris label now represents over 400 brands and 3,800 certified products.

The discussion focused on the criteria for membership, specification guidelines, and the processes leading to certification.

Each entrepreneur was encouraged to undertake a preliminary self-evaluation as an initial step in the pre-selection journey.

The Audit Process:

Dayna Kistamah, Audit and Training Manager at SGS Mauritius, stressed the exacting nature of the labelling process.

She highlighted the necessity of continual improvement within businesses and strict safety and quality prerequisites.

“We provided a detailed overview of the labelling process and its various stages.

We covered the audit criteria, the specification requirements, and the overall journey from pre-visit to compliance visit, culminating in the award of the label.

This clarification is crucial to dispel the prevailing misconception that obtaining the Made in Moris label is simply an easy inspection,” she pointed out.

“In truth, this is a stringent certification that confirms a recognised level of quality.

The process requires adherence to various criteria, all needing appropriate documentation and formalisation.

The specification presentation allows participants to fully grasp the audit prerequisites.

This awareness often leads some entrepreneurs to reconsider their timelines for applying, accepting that a preparation period—ranging from six months to a year—might be essential to meet all necessary criteria.

Participants leave the session equipped with a clear understanding of objectives and steps, enabling them to devise a structured action plan towards certification,” she elaborated.

Foreseeing future developments, Anya Dundoo, Project Manager for Sustainability and Community Building, delved into the label’s commitment to sustainable practices across different areas: the circular economy, waste management, and recycling, alongside opportunities to access training on sustainability.

It’s critical to align with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12, pertaining to responsible production and consumption.

“This information session has been tremendously insightful for our university project focused on sustainable development goals,” commented Mounshika Jottee, a student at the University of Mauritius.

“We chose to study Made in Moris for its meaningful dedication to sustainability. The presentation deepened our understanding of the labelling processes and the criteria involved.

The rigour of the required standards is, in my opinion, a significant asset.

The incredible support available to businesses and the increasing interest in the label among both large corporations and SMEs left a strong impression on me,” she stated.

In her turn, Yann Charlotte, Project Manager for Operations and Business Development, introduced the “En route vers Made in Moris” programme.

Currently in its second iteration, this free initiative provides tailored support to 40 SMEs over a four-month span.

Through specialised training modules, companies can refine their processes to meet the label’s criteria.

The programme’s success was evident in 2024 when 39 businesses achieved certification.

Another prominent topic discussed was the Made in Moris Pledge, aiming to promote responsible purchasing among consumers, hoteliers, banks, and industrial stakeholders.

This sponsorship initiative presents a genuine business opportunity for Mauritian SMEs.

Participants received insights into the label’s communication strategy and promotional efforts, including social media, press relations, and the Made in Moris Magazine, which all contribute to enhancing visibility.

The session wrapped up with an interactive Q&A, allowing for further exploration of the various aspects presented.

Shirin Gunny, Chief Executive Officer of the AMM and Made in Moris, praised the positive impact of these information sessions:

“These meetings have established themselves as vital platforms for strategic exchange, welcoming diverse economic actors—individual entrepreneurs, large corporate representatives, students, and new entrants from already certified businesses.

The remarkable turnout and variety of participants illustrate the growing prominence of the label within the Mauritian economy and highlight the effectiveness of this inclusive approach in raising awareness about local production challenges.”

Participants Share Their Perspectives

Julien Gonnin, Director of Digital Go, shared, “Digital Go is a start-up operating in the local digital advertising market.

We decided to attend the information session because we see real value in pursuing certification for our services within a local context.

I’ve realised that it’s a long but well-structured process. We are keen to move forward.”

Simon d’Unienville, Director of ModiBois, expressed, “It was an engaging session filled with information and also quite complex.

As I am developing my business, I am not yet prepared for the Made in Moris label.

Nevertheless, I am genuinely interested because the label brings visibility and validates local production. I create wooden products, focusing on pens made from locally sourced wood.”

Maya Devi Yellamallo Appiah remarked, “We produce banana chips, moolkoo, cheese baguettes, and more.

We have around fifteen different product varieties. My goal is to grow my business. I seek guidance. There’s still much to do, but I aim to achieve certification.”

Amit Jokhun from Roselle Heaven added, “We specialise in the transformation of roselle, a plant related to hibiscus.

Gaining the Made in Moris label will open up new markets for us.

We discovered a different aspect of the business journey—how to get certified and standardise our operations, involving adhering to numerous criteria.

The priority is to take the necessary time to achieve this goal.”

Lastly, Aurélie Boolaky, creator of natural candles, concluded:

“I make natural candles with scents of fruits and flowers. The information shared was incredibly practical. There’s a lot of work ahead, but as an SME, navigating the procedures can be challenging. Yet it’s a motivating challenge for the future.”

Source: Le Mauricien