2014 Pan-Latin America trade finance event held in São Paulo

GTR, the global financial industry publication, were delighted to return to São Paulo for the 4th Annual Latin America Trade & Commodity Finance Conference, which took place at the Tivoli São Paulo Mofarrej Hotel on April 9 & 10, 2014.

This two-day conference to attracted over 200 business leaders and provided extensive networking opportunities for domestic, regional and international financial institutions; local SMEs and global agribusiness companies; policy makers; lawyers, and specialist trade finance risk analysts.

With Brazil playing a key role within global commodities markets, agribusiness was a key focus of the conference. Senior representatives from Bunge, Belagricola, Volvo Group and Algar Agro spoke during roundtable discussions, detailed transaction case studies, onstage interviews and live question and answer sessions.

As domestic growth has plateaued of late, industry leaders looked at opportunities within intra-Latin America trade as well as looking further afield to Africa and the Middle East. Dedicated discussions and case studies involving continental and global organisations, such as Multibank Panama, Abu Dhabi Equity Partners and Ecobank, looked at the practicalities of entering new markets and where the most lucrative prospects are.

The impact of Chinese banks was also addressed during a live question and answer session with ICBC do Brasil Banco Multiplo. Delegates heard the key issues facing Chinese state and private banks as well as ICBC’s strategic plans for their expansion into Brazil and the wider Latina America region.

“Brazil’s economy, and the wider Latin America region, has fluctuated of late with concern growing in many sectors regarding the impact of global economic conditions,” says the producer of the conference, Paul Greetham. “This conference brought together the people that make a difference in the market to discuss new strategies, address industry concerns and to create an action plan from which the region can return to enviable growth that has been the norm in recent years.”

With so many high-level delegates in attendance, networking was a key feature throughout the day. With networking lunches, an evening drinks reception and specific networking platforms, there was ample opportunity for anyone serious about doing business in Latin America to create new business contacts and build relationships with the market’s main players.

“The annual Latin America trade and commodity 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.”