Darmen Hurkoo: “We are ready to support the new economic dynamic”

On this International Day of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd affirms that it has the necessary tools to support businesses at every stage of their development. In this interview, Darmen Hurkoo, Head of Business Banking, SME and Microfinance, explains how the bank adapts its offering to respond to market realities and the ambitions of entrepreneurs. To what extent has SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd supported SMEs to date? SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd offers entrepreneurs the financial tools necessary to start, develop and sustain their activities. Our facilities include short-term credits to support working capital, medium and long-term loans intended to finance infrastructure, equipment or capital, as well as solutions to finance imports.

Beyond our products and services, our commitment to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is also based on our strategy of proximity to entrepreneurs. This approach has also been recognized on several occasions. SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd has been named “Best SME Bank in Mauritius 2026” by Global Finance. This distinction is in addition to the “Best SME Bank in Mauritius” trophies obtained at the Asian Banker Global Middle East and Africa Awards 2023 and “Best Bank for SMEs in Mauritius” won at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence in previous years.

What weight do SMEs represent today in the bank's overall strategy? What is their contribution in terms of revenue, risks and priorities in your commercial portfolio? MSMEs constitute a key segment of our commercial portfolio, both in terms of their growth potential and their contribution to the diversification of our activities.

In order to support them in their development, we have implemented several dedicated initiatives. We also offer adapted financing solutions, such as the SBM Eco Loan and the SBM Eco Auto Lease, which are part of the SBM Group's commitment to sustainable development.

In terms of contribution, MSMEs represent an important segment and offer numerous development opportunities through financing, transactional services and tailor-made banking solutions. In terms of risks, we adopt a balanced approach based on rigorous assessment and local support in order to support their growth responsibly.

The 2026/2027 Budget places emphasis on start-ups and innovation. Are commercial banks, and in particular SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, ready to adapt their financing criteria to better support start-ups, often considered riskier? At SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, we have a Microfinance team dedicated to start-ups and entrepreneurs in the development phase.