Global Trade Review (GTR) hosted the China Trade & Commodity Finance Conference at the JW Marriott, in Beijing on November 24.

Featuring as the country’s only trade and commodity finance focused gathering, the conference returned to Beijing for its 5th year in 2015, bringing together leading figures from across the country’s business and financial sectors to examine the current state of Chinese trade, commodities and exports, as well as its supply chains.

The one-day conference attracted close to 200 business leaders and provided extensive networking opportunities for domestic, regional and international financial institutions; local SMEs and global corporates; policy makers; lawyers, and trade finance specialists.

Nicholas Kwan, Director of Research, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) delivered the opening keynote address and provided a timely update on China’s current trade outlook, addressing issues such as the country’s economic slowdown, its intervention policy (including currency devaluation) and the impact on key trading partners. Other topics discussed included the impact of initiatives such as the AIIB, Silk Road Fund and BRICS Development Bank, the best practice in collateral management post-Qingdao, the role of trade credit insurance, growth of alternative finance, trade digitisation and RMB internationalisation.

Additional speakers representing companies such as RCMA Commodities, Tewoo, Sucden, AgRee Commodities, Enet Energy, Bomin Group and UPM also shared experiences and guidance, while dual English/Chinese translation allowed all attending delegates to fully immerse themselves in the proceedings.