GTR, the global financial services information provider, was delighted to return to São Paulo for the 3rd Annual Brazil & Latin America Trade & Export Finance Conference, which took place at the Tivoli São Paulo – Mofarrej Hotel on April 23-24, 2013.

This two-day conference opened with a keynote address by Mr Marcelo Nascimento, Deputy Managing Director, Economic Research Division at the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), with discussion centred on the role of commodities in shaping the region’s macroeconomic trade landscape.

As the biggest trade and export finance gathering in Brazil and Latin America, the conference brought together decision makers from some of the country’s biggest corporate players to give their unique market insights. The event attracted many local and international delegates from the banking and financial services sectors to discuss liquidity challenges, corporate demand for capital, opportunities and challenges within the commodities markets, the impact of changing global trade flows and specific industry case studies.

“Brazil’s economy continues to attract attention, despite significant global challenges, with opportunities abound in many sectors,” says the conference producer, Paul Greetham. “With international trade flows developing at an unprecedented rate, the conference was well timed to tackle key market issues and illustrate the latest commodity market trends.”

Mr. Eddy Leiber-Faller, Head of Latin America for Structured Metals & Energy Finance at ING, further explains, “The market has been quite volatile lately in Brazil, with a relatively quiet 2012 vintage on the syndication front and difficulties linked with changing regulations. 2013 is starting in a much more promising fashion, with higher financing requirements from many players in the commodity world, and a relatively more stable banking landscape with European banks back in the game and newcomers consolidating their positions.” Leiber-Faller adds: “The conference was a great opportunity to catch up with local and international financiers, as well as representatives from the corporate world, to take a pulse of the market and get a feel for where it is going.”

With so many high-level delegates in attendance, networking was a key feature throughout the event. With numerous networking breaks and an evening drinks reception, there was ample opportunity for anyone serious about doing business in Latin America to create new business contacts and build relationships with the foremost market actors.

“The annual Brazil & Latin America Trade & Export Finance Conference has rightly become a flagship event within the GTR calendar,” says Peter Gubbins, Managing Director of GTR. “Many delegates and supporters return year after year and have helped develop this key industry gathering into a hotbed of contemporary discussion and unrivalled networking. We look forward to facilitating business in the region for many years to come.”

The conference welcomed support from leading institutions, such as ING, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, FIMBank, Ecobank, Ace Global Markets, JLT Specialty, ABC International Bank, London Forfaiting and Codix. The event was proud to have institutional partnerships with the IFC, ATFA, IADB, the Brazilian Council of Exporters and Importers Trading Enterprises (CECIEx), and the Brazilian Foreign Trade Association (AEB).