18/09/2026
๐ ๐ฅ๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ฆ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ - ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) held a welcome ceremony for the Trainee Customs Officer I Cohort 2026 on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre (ICCC), Le Chaland Road, Plaine Magnien.
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๐๐-๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ (๐ฒ๐ด) ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐บ๐ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ were enlisted by the MRA on 3 August 2026. The cohort includes recruits from Mauritius and Rodrigues, as well as serving MRA officers, and comprises 46 male and 22 female officers.
In his keynote address, the Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister, Ministry of Finance, reaffirmed the Governmentโs commitment to placing the right person in the right role through merit-based recruitment and advancement.
He noted that opportunities should go to those who demonstrate ability, dedication, and readiness to serve, and urged the trainees to approach their careers with discipline, sustained hard work, and a strong sense of responsibility.
He also thanked the parents for the values they had instilled in their children, whose hard work and determination had enabled them to earn their place in the new cohort. He emphasised that such discipline, dedication and strong values should be encouraged, as they provide an important foundation for professional growth and responsible public service.
He congratulated the MRA on conducting such a rigorous recruitment exercise and described the Authority as an example of the Governmentโs commitment to creating merit-based employment opportunities in different institutions.
Hon. Damry also explained that the Government is accelerating its efforts to provide the human resources required in different government institutions to ensure that there is optimal utilisation of resources to deliver efficient and effective services to our citizens. He added that the Government is also encouraging employment creation in the private sector through various incentives.
Mr. Rohit Ramnawaz, Director-General of the MRA, congratulated the trainees on their enlistment and thanked them for choosing to serve the MRA. He also recognised the important contribution of their parents, whose guidance, encouragement and support had played a significant role in helping them reach this important stage of their professional journey.
He outlined the highly competitive recruitment process. Following the advertisement of vacancies in September 2025, the MRA received 4,734 applications. A written assessment was held in December 2025 at five colleges in Mauritius and one in Rodrigues, with 3,375 candidates sitting for the examination. Following the written assessment, 128 candidates who scored the highest marks in the assessment were retained for interviews conducted in May 2026. The rigorous selection process culminated in the enlistment of 68 trainees, representing about 1.4 per cent of the total applicants.
He also stressed that integrity must remain at the heart of MRA employees. He reminded the trainees that competence and effort must be matched by honesty, ethical conduct and accountability, as lasting performance and public trust cannot be achieved without integrity.
He also encouraged the trainees to remain agile, adaptable and mentally resilient in an increasingly complex operating environment. He called on them to go the extra mile, continually strengthen their capabilities and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency in responding to evolving trade and security challenges.
Mr. Rajendra Gupta Ramnarain, Director of Customs at the MRA, explained that the role of Customs has evolved considerably in response to the growth of international trade, e-commerce, digitalisation and increasingly complex security risks. Modern Customs Officers must now combine their traditional responsibilities for border protection and revenue collection with trade facilitation, risk management, technology-enabled enforcement and the prevention of illicit activities.
He added that the trainees would gain valuable local and international exposure through their training, operational duties and collaboration with partner institutions. This experience will help them develop the technical knowledge, adaptability and professional judgement required to respond to emerging challenges and contribute meaningfully to the security, economic development and international standing of Mauritius.
Mr Dhoojanaden Maunikum, Director of Human Resources and Training at the MRA, outlined the structured curriculum. He explained that the comprehensive programme combines theoretical, practical and physical training and includes modules on Customs Administration, topics such as governance, communication skills, customer care and physical training, and the trainees will undergo continuous assessments, exams and project work.
He reminded the trainees that their selection was an important achievement, but also the beginning of a new responsibility. He urged them to demonstrate through their attitude, commitment and performance that the confidence placed in them was well founded, and to approach the demanding training programme with humility, discipline and respect for the trust accompanying their duties.
Speaking on behalf of the cohort, Ms. Tchetna Devi Beedasy and Mr. Rayhaan M. Kaudeer, Trainee Customs Officers I, expressed their commitment to serving the country and to developing the knowledge, skills and professional standards required of competent, responsible and dedicated Customs Officers.
They also expressed their appreciation to the MRA for the opportunity entrusted to them and acknowledged the support of their families throughout the recruitment process. On behalf of their fellow trainees, they affirmed their determination to approach the training programme with discipline, integrity and a willingness to learn, and to contribute meaningfully to the work of the MRA and the service of Mauritius.
The recruitment and training of this new cohort form part of the MRAโs continuing investment in the skills, knowledge and professional capabilities of its people. This investment will support the delivery of efficient and effective Customs services and reinforce the protection of Mauritiusโ borders.
