To mark International Women’s Day, the Economic Development Board of Mauritius (EDB), host agency of the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub, organised a workshop entitled “She Exports: Unlocking Global Markets for Mauritian Entrepreneurs” at its Head Office on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. The workshop aimed to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Mauritian women entrepreneurs seeking to expand into regional and global markets. The event was graced by the presence of Honorable Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Abhimanu Kundasamy, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, highlighted the growing contribution of women entrepreneurs to Mauritius’ economic diversification, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, services and the creative industries. He noted that while women-led businesses are increasingly making their mark locally, accessing international markets remains a complex step for many entrepreneurs. The SheTrades Mauritius Hub, launched in 2023 in partnership with the International Trade Centre and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to support this transition through capacity building, mentorship and enhanced market access opportunities.
Mr Kundasamy also welcomed the launch of the Export House Initiative, highlighting its importance in supporting the internationalisation of women-led enterprises. He underlined the strong potential of women-owned businesses to drive innovation, diversify exports and contribute to more inclusive economic growth.
In her remarks, Dr Judith Fessehaie, Head of SheTrades at the International Trade Centre, recalled the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day — “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.” She emphasised that progress in women’s economic empowerment is measured by women’s access to real opportunities, services, networks and tools that enable them to grow their businesses.
Dr Fessehaie highlighted the significance of the Export House Initiative, noting that economic participation must also include the ability for women entrepreneurs to compete, export and benefit from international trade. She stressed the need to address persistent barriers such as access to information, finance, logistics, standards and business networks.
In her remarks, Ms Kate Thomson, Head of the Political Section at the British High Commission Mauritius, reaffirmed the commitment of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to supporting women’s economic empowerment through initiatives such as the SheTrades.
She highlighted the importance of enabling women entrepreneurs in Mauritius to access international markets, noting that strengthening women-led businesses contributes not only to economic growth but also to more inclusive and resilient economies. She welcomed the launch of the Export House Initiative, describing it as a practical step towards supporting women entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses globally.
A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the Export House Initiative, a platform by Passage export Group designed to accelerate the internationalisation of women-led enterprises. Mrs Simla Ramjuttun, Co-Founder of the Passage Export Group, provided insights into the initiative, which aims to promote and distribute authentic Mauritian cuisine across the diaspora in Australia and internationally. Mrs Ramjuttun brings over 15 years of experience and is also a member of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub.
Delivering the keynote address, Honorable Dhaneshwar Damry emphasised the critical role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and diversification in Mauritius. Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to inclusive economic development, he highlighted the importance of creating an enabling ecosystem that supports women-led businesses to thrive.
He welcomed initiatives such as the SheTrades Mauritius Hub and the newly launched Export House Initiative, noting that they provide essential tools and opportunities for women entrepreneurs to access international markets and strengthen their capacity. Drawing an analogy, he stated that the business world is like a jungle, and women entrepreneurs must lead with strength and determination, “being the lioness of our economy. They can lead to a quantum growth of our economy.”
The event also featured a panel discussion on the “Export of food products to the global diaspora and wider international markets”, bringing together industry experts and business leaders to share insights and practical experiences. The panellists included representatives from the Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, the Mauritius Standards Bureau, Velogic, Ministry of Health & Wellness and Conserverie Sarjua International Ltée. The discussion was moderated by Mrs Nirmala Jeetah, Director of Healthcare & Life Sciences at the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub within the Economic Development Board of Mauritius.
In addition, DHL, a key partner of the Hub, introduced a promotional code EDBMU32, which participants can use on the company’s website to benefit from an additional discount on shipping services. The promotional offer is valid till 31 March 2026.
Through initiatives such as the SheTrades Mauritius Hub and the Export House programme, the Economic Development Board of Mauritius reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in accessing global markets and scaling their businesses, while fostering inclusive economic growth and expanding the country’s export base.
