mauritius (entrepreneurship development)

7/31/2019 Mauritius (Entrepreneurship Development)

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Mark Twain:

Mauritius was made first,and then Heaven; and Heaven

was later copied afterMauritius."


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Location Situated in the South West Indian Ocean Islands within boundaries of Mauritius : Rodrigues

Agalega Islands


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Geography & Climate

Volcanic Origin

Area of1865 sqkm Highest Peak of828 m

Population:

1.2 million

(2008 est.)

Port-Louis (Capital)


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History

Discovered by Arab and Portuguese

Sailors

The Dutch settlement (1598-1710)extermination of DODO

1715 French took possession of the

Island

Colonization until 1810, slaves brought to work

1810- 1968 British has ruled


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People

Concept of Rainbow Island

Ethnic groups:

Indo-Mauritians 68%, Christians 27%,Sino-Mauritians 3%, Franco-Mauritians 2%

Religions: Hindu, Christian, Muslim

Languages: English, French, Creole (local dialect)

Education system: British education system

Work force: Manufacturing--27%; trade and tourism--19.6%;government services--11%; agriculture and fishing--9.4%; other--33%


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Economy

Currency: Rs 1 MAU= Rs 1.75 IND

Developed from low-incomemonocrop economy to middle-income

diversified economy.

Economic pillars : tourism, sugarcane plantation,textiles and financial services.


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Contd

Growing as a cyber island

Mauritius has the sixth-highest GDP per capita inAfrica

Ranks first among all countries in FDI inflows to India


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Entrepreneurship in Mauritius Followed a successful historical path

Introduction of potential of entrepreneurship in thecountrys economic dev. Strategy in 1970s

Reasons:-Severe economic recession

-unemployment rate of 20%

-large enterprises were unable to create new jobs

Need for productive employment-directing naturalresources towards small enterprise


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Development of Small-Medium

Enterprise (SME) Supported by Govt. with an enabling environment

Elements for development of SME:

-Creation of Small Scale Industrial Units (1975):

identify projects, economic &technical guidance-Setting up of Small Industries DevelopmentOrganization (1983): promotion of small-scaleindustry, feasibility studies, service & information

-Small Scale Industries Act (1988)

-Upgrading of the Act to Small and Medium IndustriesDevelopment Organization (SMIDO) Act (1993): newboost to SME


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Women in Employment Played an active role in economic development since

independence

Creation of EPZ in 1970s-large scale entry of women

into labor force 1985-2005: no. of women in full-time employment rose

by 81%

Represent 51% of the population & 35% of the labor

force


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Women Entrepreneurs in Mauritius Sopported by Govt (Ministry of Womens Rights, Child

Development and Family Welfare- MWRCDFW)

Mostly into service sector and non-manualoccupations

Acc. To a survey by MWRCDFW in 2002:

- motivating reasons for starting business: willingnessto succeed & acquire financial & personal autonomy

-50% in age group 35-45yrs-45% followed tertiary education

-Annual turnover- Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 20 millions


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International Labour Organization

(ILO) findings:

2 categories of women entrepreneurs in Mauritius:

1) Potential Group those having educational,behavioral & socio-economic profile for success as an

entrepreneur, need guidance to continue their chosenpath

2) Transition Group low level redundant workerswhose lack of basic skills & attitudes need to be

addressed before their potential as entrepreneur canbe revealed


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MWRCDFW programmes:

Women Entrepreneurship Unit offering information,advice, training, finance (through the Micro-creditScheme)

2 Market Centres to help women entrepreneurs tomarket their products

Common Facility Centre which provides equipmentfacilities as well as training programmes

National Competition of Women Entrepreneurs A guide for Women Entrepreneurs entitled Etre

Femme et Etre Entrepreneur Maurice

National Women Entrpreneur Council (NWEC)


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mauritius (entrepreneurship development)

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