The sun seems to shine on some particular textile groups. While some companies have no other choice than to dismiss employees or close their factories down, others are opening new production units. ?We have a lot of orders but we have difficulty in satisfying all of them. We need more space to operate.? This statement is from Ali Parkar, chairman of the Star Knitwear group. So purchasers have not all flown away from Mauritius and some companies are even extending their activities?

Star Knitwear is looking for a site where it could build its fourth textile factory unit in the North. The investment will be about Rs 200 million and the new building should be fully operational in about 18 months. The new unit will create about 500 new jobs.

According to Ali Parkar, the only way of surviving is to invest. ?We have been injecting Rs 70 million in the purchase of new machines for a few years now. Such investment is crucial if we want to compete with those in Europe. We are less expensive than Greece, Portugal, Italy and Turkey that are the biggest textile exporters to Europe. They are closer to their customers,? Star Knitwear?s chairman explains.

However, to be able to compete, he finds it essential that airfreight rates be reviewed downwards. If such a decision is taken then there would be no reason to fear other competitors like China or India, as he considers his products ?of higher quality than some competitors in these countries.? He makes it clear that Star Knitwear is no longer a ?T-shirt factory but a fashion house?.