China

2020 was a terrible year for Asia but for some less than for others. Alicia Herrero Garcia outlines what’s in stock for markets in Asia in 2021

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG. UK prime minister Boris Johnson set out his ‘roadmap’ to ease current public health restrictions in England. Global trade grew by 4.0% in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the previous quarter. Trade volumes for 2020 as a whole were down 5.3%.

How is China using technology to build the technical and financial infrastructure for the ambitious BRI? Eugenio Reggianini reports on the BSN and DCEP

Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of techno-nationalism, US-China trade war, and Singapore string of frauds – just how well are the Asian markets responding to these issues?

TFG heard from BofA on the possibility of SCF’s structural shift to localisation.

Barings Bank collapse. Noble Group’s demise. The 2020 commodities scandals of Agritrade, Hin Leong, Zenrock, Sugih Energy and Hontop Energy. Will these recent commodity financial scandals shatter Singapore’s reputational armour?

TFG heard from Andreas Tesch of Atradius on the status of credit insurance market in Asia and the key initiatives taken in response to Covid-19’s impact on Asian trade.

We dive deeper into how Covid-19 impacted the shipping industry. Will the cruise liners be able to financially recover from this outbreak?

As lockdowns became the norm around the globe, governments have had to step in to support their economies due to the substantial downturn in economic activity – breaking stimulus records in the process.

TFG heard from Dr. Deborah Elms, CEO, Asian Trade Centre on the impact of COVID19 for businesses in Asia Pacific and how governments and policymakers can accelerate the economic recovery.

The magnitude and complexity of the OBOR project creates numerous policy challenges for countries in the region seeking to benefit from its implementation thus, the need for policy cooperation.

The pandemic can be an opportunity for TFTA Member States to weaponise cooperation not only for fighting against COVID-19, but also to achieve deeper integration which in the long run will boost intra-Tripartite trade.

With China receiving global backlash for alleged mishandling of Covid-19 crisis, resulting in businesses pulling out, can its neighboring counties with the latter’s emerging economies seize the opportunity, or is China irreplaceable?

“WTO economists believe the decline will likely exceed the trade slump brought on by the global financial crisis of 2008-2009″

TFG’s Ross McKenzie spoke to Singapore based Mike Walker, Finastra, discussing the relationship between banks and corporates, and a reality check on the current state of technological innovations and digitization to open up opportunities in trade and SCF.