29/08/2026
NPCC Hosts Masterclass on Kaizen for Resilient Growth in Mauritius
Réduit, 27 August 2026 — The National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC), in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), today successfully hosted a Half-Day Masterclass on “Kaizen for Resilient Growth in Mauritius: Building Productivity, Competitiveness and Innovation” at the Auditorium of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation.
The Masterclass was organised against the backdrop of different challenges facing Mauritian enterprises — including labour shortages, rising operating costs, supply chain disruptions and intensifying global competition. It was designed to equip participants with practical Kaizen tools and methodologies to address these challenges head-on and build long-term organisational resilience.
The programme comprised two substantive themes: Kaizen and Mauritius’ Challenges, which explored how continuous improvement principles can be applied to overcome the pressing realities facing local enterprises; and Innovation and Digital Transformation, which examined the powerful convergence of Kaizen with Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies as accelerators of productivity improvement.
International Expertise at the Heart of the Masterclass
A highlight of the Masterclass was the presentation by Mr Kakiuchi Yasunobu, a distinguished Japanese expert in Productivity and Kaizen. Mr Kakiuchi's presentation offered participants a direct insight into world-class Japanese Kaizen practices — their foundational principles, real-world applications and their relevance to the Mauritian economic context.
Dr Vinaye Ancharaz, Executive Director of the NPCC, called on Mauritian enterprises to seize the moment and translate today’s learning into concrete action. Speaking at the opening of the Masterclass, he said: “Today is not merely an awareness session — it is a call to action. Kaizen offers a proven, cost-effective pathway to lasting productivity gains. Whether you are a small entrepreneur, a mid-market enterprise, a public sector institution or a large corporation, the principles shared today can be applied immediately and effectively within your own organisation. Mauritius cannot afford to stand still — and the NPCC stands ready to accompany every enterprise on this continuous improvement journey.”
Dr Ancharaz also highlighted the NPCC’s status as a certified Centre of Excellence in Kaizen under the Africa Kaizen Initiative, noting that this recognition positions the Council to lead, train and serve as a bridge between international best practice and local enterprise realities.
Mr Arshad Duymun, Chairman of the NPCC, underscored the universality and urgency of Kaizen for the Mauritian economy.
“Kaizen is not a methodology reserved for large manufacturers or multinational corporations. It can be applied in a small family-run enterprise, in a government department, in a hospital ward, in a classroom, or on a fishing vessel. Wherever there are processes, people and a desire to do things better, Kaizen has a role to play. The culture of continuous improvement that we are here to discuss is one that our entire economy must embrace, together,” Mr Duymun said.
Mr Duymun also paid tribute to the NPCC's partnership with the HRDC, noting that institutions that pool their expertise in service of a shared national goal multiply their impact. “The HRDC has demonstrated exactly that spirit of collaboration and on behalf of the NPCC Board and our entire team, I extend our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude,” he added.
In a statement issued for the occasion, Management of the HRDC stated:
“The HRDC’s support for this Masterclass reflects our commitment to strengthening productivity and skills within Mauritian enterprises. This Masterclass builds on the ongoing Lean Manufacturing project being implemented in collaboration with the NPCC and EDB to strengthen the productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of manufacturing SMEs and mid-market enterprises. It also provides exposure to internationally recognised Kaizen expertise and practical approaches to continuous improvement, enabling businesses to improve processes, optimise resources and enhance competitiveness.”
A Building Block for a More Productive Mauritius
The Masterclass forms part of the NPCC's broader strategy to embed a culture of productivity and continuous improvement across all sectors of the Mauritian economy, in alignment with its Strategic Plan 2025–2029 and the proposed National Productivity Master Plan. It also builds on the momentum generated by the NPCC's Lean Manufacturing programme, which generated significant interest among participating organisations.
Looking ahead, the NPCC will host the Africa Kaizen Annual Conference (AKAC) 2026 on 26 and 27 October 2026 at The Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Balaclava — a landmark event for the continent's productivity agenda and a further testament to Mauritius's growing stature as a regional Centre of Excellence in Kaizen.
