Available Schemes for SMEs | SME Mauritius

SME Mauritius provides a series of schemes to improve the competitiveness of SMEs.

These grants cover 80% of the of the approved itemised cost of the project. The Entrepreneur contributes the remaining 20%.

The value of grants is determined by the T/Over and the number of employees on CSG.

Total grants within a specific scheme or across schemes will be capped to a maximum as defined in table below.

The Entrepreneur contributes a minimum of 20% of the approved itemised and detailed project costs.

Your grant value is determined by:

Maximum Grant Available per Category:

Category A

Category B

Category C

Category D

50,000

130,000

200,000

250,000

BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SCHEME (BTS)*

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION SCHEME (TINS)

The scheme seeks to encourage SMEs to continuously invest in Technology and automated production capabilities and to create technology based integrated and sustainable SMEs..

MARKET READINESS SCHEME (MRS)

The scheme seeks to encourage SMEs to continuously invest in Technology and automated production capabilities and to create technology based integrated and sustainable SMEs..

GREENING SUPPORT SCHEME (GSS)

The scheme aims at promoting green initiatives in SMEs through investment in dedicated mechanisms and systems and implementation of international standards and norms.

AGRI-BUSINESS
SCHEME (ABS)

The scheme aims at facilitating the introduction of technics and innovative technologies with a view of promoting the development and boosting of productivity within the agri-business sector.

BUSINESS ENTITY CATEGORY

Individual /Self employed
Company registered with Corporate and Business Registration Department (CBRD)

Registered and compliant Cooperative Society

YEARS OF OPERATION

Preferably have been in operation for 6 months SMEs in operation for less than 3 months will qualify as start-ups

Annual turnover should be less than Rs 100 m

SECTOR OF ACTIVITY

Any legal value creating economic activity except pure Trading

REGISTRATION & DOCUMENTS

Be a duly registered SME
Valid trade license and other relevant permits and licenses
Business registration Card
Financial Return filed with MRA or CBRD for previous year
Compliant with CSG

GRANTS UNDER THE SCHEMES

Grants depend on
(i) Turnover and
(ii) Number of full-time Employees for whom CSG is being paid.
There are 4 categories of Grants available as follows:
Category A Category B Category C Category D
50,000 130,000 200,000 250,000
The Grant covers up to a maximum of 80% of the itemised cost allowable for that category.
The beneficiary contributes a minimum of 20% of the itemised cost.
Total grants within a specific scheme or across schemes are capped to the maximum indicated for that category.
There is a further capping on the value of components to reflect fair market value of any component covered.

OTHER CONDITIONS

A minimum of 51% shareholding by a Mauritian national is required to benefit from any scheme.
An entity having a director/shareholder with shares in another company where the turnover exceeds Rs 100 Million does not qualify for the schemes.
Any entity should not be held by another entity where the turnover exceeds Rs 100 Million.
Spouses or same directors/shareholders do not benefit twice in anyn financial year even if their applications are filed under different entities.
Only a Director/Owner can sign the grant contract on behalf of any benefiary.
A complete application means an application supported by ALL the required documents for that application.
Grants cover acquisitions made within 6 months prior to any initial application.
Components approved have to be acquired within the agreed timeline stated in the contract.
Grants under schemes do not cover basic equipment needed in the normal course of work.
Compliant Service sector SMEs may apply for grants on specialised equipment and software relevant to their services.
Any payment effected to a Supplier must be by cheque/Card or bank transfer. Cash payments are not accepted.
The effective date of transfer of funds considered is the one evidenced by the cheque/Card, the Bank statement and not the date of the invoice or receipt.
VAT is not covered under the scheme.
Compliant entities with an established involvement in Social Entrepreneurship for some 3 years may benefit from a maximum of Rs 40,000.
Cooperatives may benefit up to a maximum of Rs 40,000
Beneficiaries can ONLY re-apply after (i) a cooling off period of 9 months after date of last disbursement or (ii) if they have not reached their maximum limit for that financial year.
It is a condition that any funded component is available for inspection by SME Mauritius at any time of asking.
SME Mauritius shall not, in any way, be held responsible or liable for any act or deed to which the Applicant and/or his Service provider may be party.
SME Mauritius reserves the right to cancel any application (i) in case any Applicant fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions above (ii) in case of any false or misleading information provided by the Applicant (iii) in case of any suspected conflict of interest or connivence between Applicant and the Service provider.
SMEs favours helping a maximum of Applicants, which may entail lowering the maximum limit whenever deemed necessary.
A minimum of 10 weeks processing time is required from submission date of the complete application.
The ultimate decision on approval or rejection of applications rests on the Grant Approval Committee (GAC) and its decision shall be final.