GO-EXPORT Programme launched to empower cooperatives to tap international markets

The Economic Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the National Co-operative College (NCC), launched, today in Ebène, the GO-EXPORT Programme for Cooperative Societies, aimed at strengthening the export capabilities and competitiveness of Mauritian cooperatives. Around 90 participants, mainly representatives of cooperative societies, attended the launch.

The Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Aadil Ameer Meea; the Chairman of the EDB, Mr Sanjay Bhunjun; the Director of the NCC, Mr Sanjeev Coonjobeeharry; and other personalities were present.

Held under the theme “Empowering Cooperatives, Expanding Horizons, Building an Export-Ready Mauritius”, the programme will equip cooperatives with practical knowledge and tools to access regional and international markets. It comprises eight training sessions covering export readiness, market identification, standards and certification, pricing, logistics, documentation, packaging and branding.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister Ameer Meea stated that the programme comes at an important moment as Government seeks to strengthen productive capacity, revive local production, reduce dependence on imports where economically viable and significantly increase exports, with the ambition of doubling them.

He underlined that cooperative societies have an important role to play in achieving these objectives, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, food production, honey and related activities. He emphasised the need for cooperatives to move up the value chain by improving the quality, packaging and branding of their products while ensuring that they meet international market requirements.

The Cooperatives Minister pointed out that exporting requires more than simply identifying a market, noting the importance of standards, certification, pricing, logistics, documentation, packaging, branding and consistency in production. In this context, the GO-EXPORT Programme has evolved from a single workshop into a structured capacity-building programme comprising eight dedicated training sessions, he added.

For his part, Mr Bhunjun highlighted the contribution of cooperatives to economic transformation, employment and wealth creation, and said EDB support is centred on capacity building, trade promotion and financial assistance. He cited the Freight Rebate Scheme and Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme as measures aimed at helping cooperatives improve their international competitiveness and access markets such as India and France.

As for Mr Coonjobeeharry, he said the programme would help cooperatives become export-ready by strengthening their understanding of international standards, consistent quality, packaging, branding and market requirements. He encouraged cooperatives to adopt a more business-oriented approach and look beyond the domestic market to create new economic opportunities and contribute to the growth of the cooperative sector.

31 August 2026

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Topics: Cooperatives