The Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB), as the host agency of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, in collaboration with DHL and ITC SheTrades, officially launched the ‘Trade Beyond Borders’ Training Programme on Monday 17th March 2025. The event was graced by the Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, and H.E. Ms. Kate Chamley, Australian High Commissioner, alongside other esteemed dignitaries and stakeholders.
The ‘Trade Beyond Borders’ Training Programme is a key component of DHL’s GoTrade initiative, designed to empower women entrepreneurs with the expertise and tools needed to thrive in cross-border trade. Since its inception in 2020, GoTrade has successfully trained over 9,100 SMEs across diverse markets, including the United States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, with 74 projects implemented in 2024 alone.
This comprehensive, four-month training programme comprises eight targeted modules, equipping participants with critical skills in eCommerce, digital marketing, logistics, supply chain management, international trade, regulatory compliance, financial management, leadership, and customer experience. By integrating both logistics and business strategies, the programme ensures that women entrepreneurs are well-prepared to navigate global markets and expand their enterprises beyond borders.
In his keynote address, Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry referred to the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ which calls for swift and tangible progress in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Citing Mauritius’ ranking of 107th out of 147 countries in the Gender Gap Index, he stressed the urgent need to amplify efforts toward fostering equal opportunities and strengthening women’s participation in the economy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive economic policies, capacity-building initiatives, and measures to reduce trade costs.
Honourable Damry also highlighted the landmark agreement on currency convertibility for trade, signed during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Mauritius, as a strategic step to lower transaction costs and enhance trade efficiency with India. Additionally, he emphasized the crucial role of investment in research and development in driving economic diversification and long-term prosperity.
In his welcome address, Mr. Sanjay Bhunjun, Chairman of the Economic Development Board Mauritius, highlighted the transformative role of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, launched in 2023, as a catalyst for empowering women-led businesses. He emphasized that the Hub provides a supportive ecosystem, resources, and mentorship, serving as a gateway for women entrepreneurs to expand into global markets.
With 223 registered members, the SheTrades Mauritius Hub continues to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 8. Mr. Bhunjun stated that the partnership with DHL will further equip women entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge to navigate international trade with confidence. He was convinced that the ‘Trade Beyond Borders’ Training Programme will be a game-changer in strengthening export readiness, equipping women-led businesses with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to successfully expand into global markets.
In her remarks, Dr. Judith Fessehaie, Head of SheTrades at the International Trade Centre (ITC), pointed out the transformative impact of the Trade Beyond Borders Training Programme, a collaboration between DHL and the SheTrades Mauritius Hub.
She commended the SheTrades Mauritius Hub for its proactive leadership in championing women’s economic empowerment through trade, highlighting impactful initiatives such as trade missions to Kenya and Seychelles and recent knowledge-sharing engagements with the newly launched SheTrades India Hub. Dr. Fessehaie concluded by emphasizing the power of public-private partnerships in driving gender equality and economic progress:
This initiative between DHL and EDB exemplifies how collaboration can fuel economic transformation. When women trade, economies grow, and societies prosper.
Mr. Deepak Deepchand, Country Manager of DHL Express Mauritius, reaffirmed DHL’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, emphasizing the company’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive trade ecosystem.
He highlighted that, in partnership with the EDB, DHL is actively empowering women entrepreneurs in Mauritius and across Africa by focusing on three key pillars: Knowledge & Training, Market Access, and Sustainable Growth. He concluded with a powerful message:
DHL Express is here to support entrepreneurs every step of the way, ensuring that logistics is not a barrier but a catalyst for success in business. Break boundaries in trade and logistics.
Mrs. Lalaina Rasolomanana, Country Manager of DHL Global Forwarding, laid much emphasis on the transformative power of digital tools in simplifying customs procedures and facilitating seamless global trade. She reaffirmed DHL’s commitment to demystifying international trade and e-commerce by leveraging digital solutions and specialized training programs that empower entrepreneurs to access new markets.
She also highlighted the strategic partnerships with ITC SheTrades and EDB, affirming that DHL is bridging the gap between ambition and achievement. Through these collaborations, women entrepreneurs gain critical resources, knowledge, and support to scale their businesses and thrive in the global economy.
The event featured a dynamic panel discussion on ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Overcoming Challenges through Public-Private Partnership’, bringing together key stakeholders, including DHL, Mauritius Ports Authority, MRA Customs, Mediterranean Shipping Corporation, Silver Line Services Limited, and Velogic.
Panellists shared valuable insights on logistics solutions, trade facilitation, and digital transformation, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of available services and opportunities. Discussions highlighted how digitization and innovative platforms can enhance efficiency, while track & trace systems enable real-time monitoring of shipments. Additionally, cost analysis tools were showcased as a means to help exporters select optimal logistics solutions, streamline trade operations, and expand into new markets.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Nirmala Jeetah, Director at EDB Mauritius and responsible for ITC SheTrades Hub Mauritius urged participants to seize the invaluable opportunity presented by the Trade Beyond Borders Training Programme. She emphasized that this initiative is a game-changer for women entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and network needed to navigate global markets successfully.
She reaffirmed EDB’s commitment to fostering inclusive trade and economic empowerment, encouraging all participants to actively engage and leverage the programme’s full potential that has started on 20 March 2025.
