World’s largest trade finance gathering took place in Singapore

Growth forecasts, regional commodity markets and the role of China dominated discussions at GTR Asia Trade Finance Week 2014, which took place at the Raffles City Convention Centre, Swissôtel the Stamford on September 9-11.

Organised in partnership with International Enterprise Singapore, the government body responsible for promoting international trade and facilitating the overseas growth of Singapore-based companies, the event further established its reputation as the largest trade finance gathering in the world, and welcomed attendance from senior representatives of companies such as Bunge, Cargill, Glencore, Gunvor, Louis Dreyfus, Mercuria, Noble, Olam, Stemcor, Tata, Trafigura and Vitol, among others.

Taking place over three days, having expanded the format to incorporate additional streams, break-outs, workshops and networking events, GTR Asia Trade Finance Week 2014 placed strong emphasis on the trade and export priorities of companies of all sizes, as well as highlighting opportunities across a range of emerging and frontier markets across the continent. The conference was opened by Teo Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of International Enterprise Singapore.

“Asia continues to lead the way in global trade, with hubs such as Singapore providing superb opportunities for global companies and financiers to base themselves for access to some of the world’s most potentially lucrative new markets,” said Rupert Sayer, Founder of GTR and CEO of GTR Asia. “With China expected to soon overtake the US as the world’s leading economy, we are likely to see an even greater increase in the demand for key goods and services, while the continued emphasis on south-south trade both within Asia and with markets such as Africa and Latin America is only likely to further Asia’s significance in the global marketplace.”

Topics for discussion included Asia’s role within global commodity finance (challenges faced by traders, working more closely with banks, sustainability initiatives), regulatory reforms and their impact, growing use of private credit insurance, movement towards open account trading platforms, the role of export credit agencies, sanctions/compliance, RMB trade settlement, Singapore’s developing role as an infrastructure hub, as well coverage on a diverse range of countries including China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar and Mongolia.