The Mauritius government in the wake of Brexit, will be launching the Air Freight Rebate Scheme known as the 'Speed-to-Market' Scheme (STMS) for its textile and apparel segment this month after consultations with the various stakeholders.

STMS will also allow Mauritian textile and apparel exporters to become more competitive vis-à-vis other countries exporting via air freight to Europe.

Another objective is to enhance the competitiveness of Mauritian exports in the European market, especially in terms of speed of delivery while at the same provide support to the textile and apparel enterprises facing difficulties in the wake of Brexit.

The STMS which will be applicable to the textile and apparel manufacturing companies only, will among others; provide a 40 percent refund on air freight cost to exporters to Europe including UK; be time-bound for 2 years; and will be operated and managed by Enterprise Mauritius. The refund will be applicable for exports as from 1st April 2017.

The STMS scheme for textile and apparel was announced in the Budget speech 2016/17 by the minister of finance and economic development of Mauritius.

Mauritius is the largest African clothing exporter to America and Europe.