Luxury Indian Ocean LUXURY INDIAN OCEAN #8 EDITION 2019 | Page 72

BUSINESS
“While brands have an
extremely convincing
power in the media,
their impact is essential
in making our
destinations and their
cultural specificities
known”
CATHERINE GRIS,
Former Chief Executive of the Association of
Mauritian Manufacturers
Are there initiatives set up by companies or
governments in the Indian Ocean, advocating the
circular economy, which could inspire Mauritius?
Reducing how our lifestyle impacts on the climate and on our
resources should be our top priority, and the circular economy
is a matter of concern for EVERYONE: politicians, economic
stakeholders, consumers, NGOs, national and international
organisations. Unfortunately, a great deal of inertia should be
uprooted from our current model of linear economy, currently
consisting of "extracting raw materials, producing, making use
of the product in an ephemeral manner and disposing of it after
a short while". The key issue is therefore a radical change of
that model: we should create a bioeconomy which respects our
resources by reducing our consumption of raw materials, and
sustaining our fragile ecosystem. The Mauritian authorities, who
are willing to implement the 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle),
are considering the Waste To Energy recourse - exploiting
waste materials to produce electricity. We could draw valuable
inspiration as well from the proactive plan "Objectif Zéro déchets
2030" carried out by the Réunion Region, and identify synergies
to establish a better structure for waste management processing
sectors at a regional level.
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In your opinion, which are the sectors with a strong
growing potential in the Indian Ocean in 2019-20?
Certainly those which focus on a knowledge hub and the healthcare
industry: cosmetics and pharmaceuticals deriving from active ingredients
such as those extracted from the ocean (seaweed) and nature (essential
oils). Likewise, there is a call for new innovative manufacturing models
which can directly supply our domestic markets and export products and
services which will ostensibly evolve in the value chain. Finally, all the
activities in line with the circular economy, promoting the repair and
recycling approach, along with modern services related to digitalisation,
the blockchain, and artificial intelligence.
Why is branding important when promoting local
products and services? Do other islands in the
Indian Ocean have any examples you could name?
While brands have an extremely convincing power in the media,
their impact is essential in making our destinations and their cultural
specificities known. Like everywhere else, aren’t our visitors and consumers
looking for a unique and meaningful experience? There is no better way
to communicate with them than through our labels: Made in Moris, Nou
La Fe in Reunion Island, Malagasy Ny Antsika in Madagascar - they are
all key players in valuing our know-how and worth!