“Innovation Doesn’t Happen by Decree, It Requires Nurturing”

At the “Industry of the Future” workshop, Mrs Shirin Gunny, CEO of the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) and Made in Moris, passionately emphasized the urgency of reinvention for the local industry. She stressed that past knowledge and methods are insufficient for future growth. Mrs Shirin Gunny elaborated on the essential role of new technologies—automation, digitalization, robotics, and artificial intelligence—while underscoring that true innovation requires more than tools; it demands vision, courage, and a willingness to take calculated risks to achieve sustainable growth and success.

Addressing the audience which gathered at AVA auditorium, Ebène, to reflect on the “Industry of the Future“, the CEO of the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) and Made in Moris emphasized on the urgent need for innovation and collaboration in the local manufacturing sector. 

Mrs Shirin Gunny centered her speech on the theme of reinvention. Quoting Rishad Tobaccowala’s thought letter “The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past“, she stressed that the knowledge and methods that brought the industry to its current state would not suffice to lead it into the future. “Whether you are in the agro-food, printing, chemical, or any other sector of our local production, we all share the necessity— and I would even say the urgency —to reinvent ourselves,” she stated.

We must adopt a mind-set that accepts risk, a mind-set capable of meeting today’s and tomorrow’s challenges

Mrs Shririn Gunny elaborated on the critical role of new technologies such as automation, digitalization, robotics, and artificial intelligence, describing them not as mere buzzwords, but as essential tools for the next industrial revolution. However, she was quick to point out that these tools alone are not enough. “It takes more than technology — it requires vision, courage, boldness, and a willingness to believe… and above all, a capacity to take calculated risks,” she asserted.

Throughout her address, she highlighted that innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity for growth and survival in a rapidly changing world. She noted that “innovation does not simply improve the existing; it redefines our paradigms. It is not automatic; it does not happen by decree. It requires nurturing!” She advocated for creating environments where creativity is valued, and failure is not punished, but seen as a stepping stone to success. “We must adopt a mind-set that accepts risk, a mind-set capable of meeting today’s and tomorrow’s challenges,” she urged.

The CEO called for collaboration across industries, stating that “the future of our local industry does not rest on the isolated efforts of a few pioneers, but on massive and cross-sector collaboration. Our challenges are common; so are our opportunities!” She underscored the human element of innovation, reminding the audience that “machines can perform tasks, but only people can dream, invent, and transcend.” She therefore encouraged companies to invest in their teams’ training, foster different thinking, and empower them to realize their ideas.

She urged attendees to rethink strategies, business models, and what their companies could become. “Let us join forces to propel our local industry towards a new era of sustainable growth and collective success,” she concluded, inviting all to engage actively in the day’s discussions and explorations.

Mrs Shirin Gunny also highlighted the significance of the workshop’s venue, which she described as a symbol of innovation and boldness. She conveyed her appreciation to Vincent Lagarde, founder of the AVA group, for hosting the workshop in the first industrial park dedicated to medical devices in Mauritius. “Vincent Lagarde is a man of vision and innovation. His journey shows us that Mauritius has everything it takes to innovate,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of local pioneers in driving the country’s industrial transformation.

She also expressed gratitude to the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) for their support through the Sectoral Skills Development Scheme (SSDS), and to the MCB, the founding financial partner of Made in Moris, stating that “without their support, this day and this training journey would not have been possible.“