GTR, the leading global financial services information provider, returned to Dubai for the 10th successive year to hold its Annual Middle East Trade & Export Finance Conference, taking place at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel as part of the Middle East Trade Finance Week on February 17-19.

Firmly established as the region’s leading trade and export finance conference, this new extended format incorporated various streams, workshops, roundtables, seminars and networking functions, further showcasing the huge significance of the GCC and wider Middle East region as a global trading hub.

Discussions centred on a range of topics, including growth forecasts for corporates and banks alike, the changing political risk environment post-Arab Spring, ongoing challenges in maintaining liquidity and optimising working capital, infrastructure and project financing requirements, as well as considering the overarching question as to whether the region’s global influence is still determined by its role as a commodity exporter.

“One of the key issues identified over the course of this event is the tremendous will and appetite for doing business, establishing the GCC as a global commodity hub and increasing business flows with thriving markets such as Asia and Africa, whilst still maintaining close ties with traditional trading partners such as Europe and the US,” says Jeff Ando, Head of Conference Production for GTR. “One of the overriding impressions we believe delegates will have taken away is the desire to drive things forward, to explore the various financing options available for maximising the region’s potential.”

The reiterated commitment to Asia and Africa was a central theme, with continued focus on Dubai as a hub from which commodities dominate trade flows, while sanctions were identified as being a major concern for a banking sector keen to avoid falling foul of compliance regulations. Meanwhile, although it was noted that local banks are filling some of the gaps left by European banks leaving the region, further funding options for the corporate sector are still required.

“One of the core benefits of hosting such a well established event is the long standing relationships enjoyed with senior market leaders, with many of the most established and internationally recognised multinationals in regular attendance,” said Peter Gubbins, Managing Director of GTR. “This combined with the outstanding support provided by the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Dubai Trade (part of Dubai World) further demonstrates the calibre of support this event enjoys.”

As a Government of Dubai authority established to drive forward the competitive advantages Dubai enjoys as a global trading hub, the DMCC has been particularly successful with its mandate to stimulate commodity flows, most recently through its central registry of commodity ownership, DMCC Tradeflow. “Our goal is to ensure sustainable regional financial and commodity markets that are both transparent and liquid. The focus is now on fostering the development and growth of trade for those expanding into new markets,” says Malcolm Wall Morris, Chief Executive Officer of DMCC. “Dubai is perfectly positioned at the crossroads of these markets.”

The event concluded with the official launch of the ICC Regional MENA Banking Commission on the afternoon of Tuesday February 19, a joint venture between the International Chamber of Commerce and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, established to extend the reach of the ICC Banking Commission within the MENA region. Key speakers included H. E Hamad Buamin, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Kah-Chye Tan, Chairman, ICC Banking Commission.