Industrial strategic plan 2026-2030 to drive manufacturing growth and competitiveness

Mauritius is targeting to progressively rebuild a stable manufacturing base approaching 20 per cent of GDP under the Industrial Sector Strategic Plan 2026–2030, highlighted the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea, today at the opening of a consultative workshop in Balaclava.

The workshop brought together Government officials, public and private sector representatives, experts from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and captains of industry to discuss the priorities and future direction of Mauritius’ industrial development.

Minister Ameer Meea highlighted that the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the GDP has declined from more than 20 per cent to around 13 per cent over the past decade, alongside falls in employment and domestic exports. He reiterated Government’s commitment to strengthen existing industries while promoting the development of new, higher-value activities, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, precision engineering and electronics.

The Minister also stressed the importance of modernising production processes through automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency.

He identified several challenges affecting local manufacturers, including connectivity constraints, energy and water costs, geographical isolation and the overall cost of doing business while underlining that industrial modernisation and stronger regional integration are essential to improving the competitiveness of Mauritian enterprises.

Mr Ameer Meea spoke of a new Industry Bill being drafted and the implementation of a new SME Bill as well as a separate strategic plan for non-manufacturing SMEs. He called on industry and other stakeholders to work closely with the UNIDO experts.

Also speaking, the Chief of the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development at the UNIDO, Mr Anders Isaksson, reaffirmed commitment to supporting Mauritius with a forward-looking approach to industrial development.

The green transition, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, he recalled, provide both challenges and opportunities for Mauritius to upgrade its position in global value chains. Mr Isaksson further dwelt on rising production and energy costs, skills shortages and the need to accelerate technology adoption among the challenges facing local manufacturers.

The UNIDO Industrial Policy Officer, Mr Fernando Santiago Rodriguez, made a presentation outlining the project’s objectives and the proposed direction of the strategic plan.

19 August 2026

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Topics: Industry