Last June, the MCB orchestrated a remarkable Trade Week event in St Jean. One of the standout moments during this event was a compelling panel discussion centered around the theme of “Navigating African Trade Opportunities and Challenges.” Among the distinguished speakers was Thierry Hebraud, who assumed the role of Head of CIB at MCB in October 2019. Notably, he has been selected to take the helm as the CEO of MCB Ltd, succeeding Alain Law Min, who is set to retire in November 2023. Hébraud brings with him a wealth of knowledge, boasting over 35 years of experience in Corporate and Investment Banking, during which he held pivotal positions within the Crédit Agricole Group across Eastern and Central Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
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Thierry Hébraud, Chief Executive Officer Designate at MCB Ltd, states that the growth of intra-African trade is a crucial driver for Africa’s development. As a leading financial institution in Mauritius, MCB Ltd is committed to supporting trade financing and assisting clients in overcoming various challenges in Africa. Hébraud emphasizes the importance of collaboration with partners in Africa and highlights the potential of intra-African trade as a key driver for the continent’s development. He states, “Our primary goal is to assist our clients in financing their trade and navigating through various challenges. We have explored numerous potential solutions for trade financing, but what truly matters is how we collaborate with partners in Africa. I firmly believe in the growth of intra-African trade as a crucial driver for Africa’s development and offering a pathway to independence from the geopolitical strategies of China, Europe, or the US. Why should intra-African trade be conducted in dollars, euros, or renminbi? Why can’t it be organized directly between African countries?”
Hébraud explains that Mauritius, being an International Financial Center (IFC), provides MCB with a significant advantage in supporting trade financing in Africa. The bank leverages the Mauritius IFC to address the financing needs of its clients. Importantly, MCB’s clients do not necessarily have to be based in Mauritius, as the bank has the capability to overcome various challenges faced in doing business in different African countries.
Furthermore, Hébraud states, “We are actively working on developing solutions for supplier, buyer and supply chain financing. These products are designed and offered to assist and support our clients. Additionally, we are increasingly involved in cash management, foreign exchange, and securitization, which further enhance our ability to support our clients’ trade within and outside of Africa.”
Hébraud explains that MCB’s commitment to comprehensive solutions extends beyond banking services. He says, “We have developed a global trade platform, which plays a vital role in facilitating connections, improving clients’ networks, and providing market intelligence regarding importers, exporters, quantities, and insights into different markets. This platform is a valuable offering from MCB as the bank strives to deliver holistic support to its clients.”