2014’s largest trade and commodity finance gathering in East Africa

GTR, were delighted to return to Nairobi for the 6th Annual East Africa Trade & Commodity Finance Conference, which took place at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, on the 22nd & 23rd May, 2014.

This two-day conference attracted over 220 business leaders and provided extensive networking opportunities for domestic, regional and international financial institutions; local SMEs and global corporates; policy makers; lawyers, and specialist trade finance risk analysts.

With East Africa playing a key role within regional commodities markets, the main focus of the conference was the agribusiness, energy and infrastructure sectors. Senior representatives from Gulf Energy, Renetech, Monsanto Kenya, Gulf Power, Free State Maize, Riftcot as well as Tellux gave their insights through standalone presentations, panel discussion and interactive Q&A style sessions.

As the domestic and regional economy has been rising of late, industry leaders addressed at opportunities within intra-regional trade as well as specific industry challenges. Dedicated discussions and case studies involving continental and global organisations, such as USAID, Africa Trade Insurance agency (ATI), and the Micro & Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).

“Kenya’s economy, and the wider East Africa region, has been the envy of many global regions of late with opportunities abound in many sectors,” says the producer of the conference, Paul Greetham. “This conference aims to bring 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 East Africa to create new business contacts and build relationships with the market’s main players.

“The annual East Africa 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.”