MauBank reaffirms its commitment to supporting the next phase of SME growth in Mauritius through a dedicated panel discussion themed: Scaling Up for Sustainable Growth, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts to explore practical pathways for scaling up in an evolving economic environment.
The session brought together subject matter experts from the Bank: Koomaravel Sumooreeah, Senior Manager, Cards & Electronic Payments; Mehdi Aukbarally, Head of Credit Risk, Risk Management Division; and Eric Carver, Head of Asset Financing, alongside external practitioners from G-SUM Ventures, Uma Devi Kowlesser and Vimalah Patten Pillay. The panel discussion was moderated by Georgina Ragaven, the Director of G-SUM Ventures.
Opening the session, Bharati Rughoonauth, MauBank’s Head of SME and Area Leader, explained:
“SMEs are structured businesses, employers and innovators. Scaling up is not about growing faster at any cost, but about growing strategically and sustainably. At MauBank, we don’t see our SME clients as accounts. We see journeys, and we see the various chapters of their story. Our role is to support them and act as a strategic financial enabler.”
Declaring the session open, MauBank’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishuene Vydelingum, stated:
“Growth among Mauritian SMEs is increasingly visible, and with it comes the question of how that growth is sustained as businesses become more structured and exposed to new risks. As challenges evolve from access to scale, and from opportunity to execution, MauBank’s role, anchored in proximity and a culture of accompaniment, is to work closely with businesses and bring the banking expertise needed at this stage of their development.”
Beyond financing, the panel discussions highlighted three essential building blocks for SME growth and scale. The first centered on financial readiness, underlining the importance of proper financial records, disciplined cash-flow management and a solid credit history as the foundations of trust with lenders. From a banking perspective, SMEs are ready to scale when growth becomes consistent and demand begins to outpace capacity, supported by documented processes, clear governance and a well-structured business plan. The discussion then turned to digitalisation as an operational enabler, with a focus on how digital payments, QR solutions, mobile and internet banking can help SMEs automate transactions, improve cash-flow visibility, reduce costs and expand market reach, while strengthening transparency and credibility. Finally, the panel addressed resilience and sustainability, emphasising that long-term growth depends on financial discipline, efficient use of energy and water, continuous innovation and sound governance. In a small, open economy exposed to global shocks, these elements were presented as essential to maintaining profitability, managing risk and remaining bankable over time.
Closing the session, the Bank’s Deputy CEO, Issa Soormally, stated:
“What our experts discussed during the panel today confirms that growth is not a single decision, but a combination of mindset, tools and the right financial solution. As businesses scale, the questions they face become more operational than conceptual. At MauBank, it is our aim to support that transition with the right tools and financing structures as your financial business enabler.”
The SME panel discussion concluded with an interactive networking session, encouraging invitees to continue the conversation with MauBank’s Relationship Managers and peers. Through initiatives like this, MauBank continues to position itself as Le Partenaire de Votre Progrès, committed to empowering SMEs to scale, innovate and contribute meaningfully to Mauritius’ economic development.