New opportunities putting rising banking sector first

Country's leading institutions use technology to strengthen the small island nation's growing reputation as an international financial center

Mauritius' location between Asia and Africa places the island in a busy causeway of cross-border trade and activity that demands an increasingly sophisticated array of financial services.

In response, the island's banking sector is now compounding its core strengths through financial innovation, staking a claim to its role as the transcontinental conduit for investment management.

Numerous factors have merited Mauritius' rise in the world of global finance, including a squeaky-clean business reputation that distinguishes the Indian Ocean island as a upholder of law on the African continent, a fact that has led business leaders to compare it to other major finance hubs.

"I think Mauritius has the credibility and standing to become a regional financial hub for Africa," said Alain Law Min, CEO of Mauritius Commercial Bank, the country's oldest and largest domestic banking institution.

"It is an attractive and compliant jurisdiction with political stability, a bilingual workforce, strong capabilities and competencies in legal, accountancy, capital market and wealth management services," Law Min said.

He said Mauritius also leads the continent in applying new technology, having been recognized by the Global Innovation Index as the most innovative nation in Africa.

At MCB, this continent-leading aptitude is readily observable.

"Three years ago we introduced MCB Juice, our mobile payments platform, and today we have 90,000 customers that have downloaded the mobile app," Law Min said.

"Imagine, our internet banking customer base is 120,000 and that took us 20 years to reach, but in only three years we built our mobile customer base and it's not far short of that size. That's very significant growth," he added.

He noted that, financial technology, also called fintech, is finding a place as a tool not only to improve customer service, but also to mitigate financial risks. The fintech-based service is sure to get a welcome reception from prospective investors entering Africa for the first time.

"While most innovations in banking revolve around customer outreach, State Bank Mauritius also uses technology for effective management of risks and compliance," said Kee Chong Li Kwong Wing, chairman of State Bank Mauritius.

Such protective measures taken by Mauritian banks using fintech will only add to their capacity for managing cross-border transactions, according to Li Kwong Wing.

He said this historic moment for the island has been further propelled by banks such as SBM, which are preparing to bolster their continental network in turn.

"SBM is positioning itself as a gateway for global investors looking at emerging opportunities in Africa," said Li Kwong Wing.

"We are partnering with the African Export-Import Bank to tap new opportunities, and we recently acquired Fidelity Bank in Kenya," he said, adding "This will help us offer safe, secure and comprehensive services for Chinese businesses going into Africa".

(China Daily 05/24/2017 page7)