With exports averaging about $450 billion per year the UK is one of Europe’s leading exporters of cars ($40 billion), refined petroleum ($28 billion) and crude petroleum ($22 billion). Top destinations for exports are the United States ($50 billion), Germany ($45 billion) and the Netherlands ($35 billion).

The greatest growth in British exports in recent years has been to China and Switzerland while Europe remains an important growing market. The UK Government has set forth an ambitious target to double exports by 2020 when they hope to reach a trillion pounds sterling.

Chart Showing GDP Growth Compared to rest of world

Trade finance is a revolving facility which alternative lenders offer – it enables businesses to buy stock supplies and can help reduce the pressure from working capital issues.

Generally, a trade financier will fund most of the cost of the product, including charges (e.g. bank charges).

Trade finance offers added advantages over more traditional bank funding like invoice finance or business loans. Trade finance provides up front funding without affecting existing bank relationships.

How does it work?
If you’re a firm importing or exporting stock around the world, then a trade finance facility would help you to fund this through offering a letter of credit or some form of cash advance.

I’m looking to import from the United Kingdom, how can Trade Finance Global help, and how does it work?
If you are looking to import stock supplies from other countries, you may require import finance, which is an agreement between yourself (the importer) and the foreign exporter. An alternative finance bank will act as the intermediary, paying the foreign exporter on your behalf until you receive the inventory and have then sold them to your buyer. Repaying the financier then happens over an agreed period.