His Excellency Mr. Claudio caldero, UNDP Resident Representative

Mr. S. Taurkoordass Senior Chief Executive

Mr. Peter Moll, Chief Textile Unit, UNIDO

Mr. R.P Nowbuth, Permanent Secretary

Prof Edward Newton, UNDP Consultant

Distinguished members of the Academia

Distinguished Guests and participants

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to address you this morning on the occasion of the opening of the validation workshop on the consultancy report of Prof. Newton.

As you are aware, UNDP provided the Government with the services of Prof. Newton to review the existing facilities in the area of fashion and design and accordingly advise on the setting up of a fashion and design institute. During the first leg of his mission in May this year, Prof. Newton presented his preliminary findings to all the stakeholders. Today, he will make a presentation of his final report and seek the agreement of all the parties on the main recommendations contained therein before its formal submission to Government of Mauritius.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The rapid pace of globalization, technological innovation and ICT revolution have dramatically changed market conditions and competitive strategies. Business potential now depends on quality, speed, technical superiority, service, and product differentiation and most particularly on customer orientation and source compliance. In this new business environment, the sustainability of economies depends on the degree of their adaptability and resilience to the new dynamics of competition, change and innovation. In order to carve a niche in the global economy, Mauritius needs to develop a new set of competitive advantages based on high value added, creativity, innovation and best practices in management, production and marketing. In this context, the setting up of a fashion design Institute as announced in the Government programme 2005-2010 will be a step in the right direction and it will help the Textile and Clothing Industry to develop new competitive edge on basis of quality, differentiated trendy products, creativity and innovation, greater variety of products, market intelligence and shorter timescale. This is the reality.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I wish to remind you that Textile and Clothing is still the largest industry in Mauritius and employs around 54,000 direct labour. This Government firmly believe in this sector. Confidence has been restored. Already, a pledge of Rs 8 billion investment has been made. It is worthwhile to note that our competitors in the developing [world are fast integrating fashion and design in their production structures. Here we have to see how to reposition ourselves especially as our competitors no longer low cost and high volume producers. For example, last year Tunisia set up its Isntitut Superieur Des Métiers De la Mode to move up to higher designed products in the clothing industry, among others. The Tunisian Institute has adopted a four-pronged approach where the focus is on formal training for stylists and mode lists, textile designers and technicians for the clothing Industry. Tunisia is not alone to embark on the fashion and design strategy. Turkey and Morocco, which are direct competitors to Mauritius on the European markets, have embarked on similar plans where implementation has already reached an advanced stage. Mauritius cannot afford to sit back allow the erosion of its competitive advantage to go unchecked.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Throughout the world, the Mauritian textile and clothing industry is well known for its quality products. Our flagship companies have lost no time to expand the number of qualified designers in order to meet the requirements of the markets. Mauritius used to be a CMT country but it has moved from basic textile to high value added products. They have even launched dedicated training programmes in key areas to enable production of world-class products. But still there is room for improving the value addition of our products through enhanced creativity and innovation.

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is in this endeavor, that Government as a facilitator has set itself the objective to assist our industries in the area of fashion and design through the establishment of a Fashion and design Institute. For too long ‘our training institutions for the textile and clothing have been operating in isolation. This institute can provide a unique opportunity to integrate under one roof the different training facilities and at the same time, open up new horizons for our academicians. The overriding objective is to provide an integrated service to the industry. However, Iam glad to point out that so far the Textile Department of the University of Mauritius, the IVTB School of design and the TADC of Enterprise Mauritius have been playing a critical role in assisting the apparel industry through their training, academic and other progammes. The University of Mauritius, where myself I have been part of the academic staff for a long time has enabled our students to gain valuable knowledge and expertise through the various courses. The IVTB School of Design has equally played a prominent role in the endeavour to develop expertise in the area of design and fashion. The TADC is also contributing in the national effort to support our industrial sector. I wish today to pay tribute to all of them. And more than ever, we will need their continued support because they have developed certain skills. I personally recognize that there is much expertise in these institutions. What we need is to bring them together and achieve greater synergy. In this venture, there is no doubt that every one will be better off, although there will be a need to adopt a new business model. We have already prepared a draft legislation for the new institute and discussion will shortly be pursued with all the relevant stakeholders. Prof Newton will provide details of his report. On my part, I can say the draft legislation provides for appropriate professional development and academic courses, provision of consultancy services R&D activities and provision of fashion intelligence.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The institute can in addition play a vital role in developing a more positive image of the Textile and Clothing industry and will spearhead the restructuring process within the industry. It can help our enterprises to adapt to the fast changing international trading environment. We need not also forget the regional dimension that the Institute can achieve when providing training and consultancy. Not least, the institute can partner with centers of excellence in countries such as India, UK, Italy, New York, France and other fashion hubs. We have a firm commitment from University of Mauritius.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I look forward to the support of all the stakeholders, be it from the public or private sectors, to make this endeavour a success.

Before ending, I would like on behalf of the Mauritian Government to convey my thanks to UNPD for providing the services of Prof Newton in the elaboration of the project.

My thanks also go to Mr. Peter Moll of UNIDO and Prof Newton for their contribution towards the realization of this project.

Finally I wish you all fruitful discussions and look forward to the outcomes of this workshop.

I have now the pleasure to declare the workshop open.

THANK YOU