Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

25 March 2024

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG:

  • VIDEO | Empowerment through inclusion: ADB’s mission for equitable trade
  • VIDEO | Federal Reserve: Monetary policy update, making payments instant and faster, overview of the FedNow Service®
  • The great balancing act: Making trade and payments faster, cheaper, and easier in 2024 
  • Digital Trade: From “we need standards” to “let’s drive adoption” 
  • Understanding rules of origin: Getting the details right
  • WaveBL and Federal Bank partner to streamline digital trade, announce successful transaction in India
  • SMEunited calls for clarity in EU’s proposed Late Payment Directive revision
  • CPTPP receives Royal Assent, set to become law latest this year

VIDEO | Empowerment through inclusion: ADB’s mission for equitable trade

Hear from Neha Noronha and Carmen Maria Ramirez Ortiz on the Asian Development Bank’s work to make trade a more inclusive industry! Read more →

VIDEO | Federal Reserve: Monetary policy update, making payments instant and faster, overview of the FedNow Service®

Learn about the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s FedNow Service as well as its impact on the payments industry and the way we do banking. Read more →

The great balancing act: Making trade and payments faster, cheaper, and easier in 2024 

BAFT’s inaugural 2024 International Trade and Payments Conference brought together experts to discuss the state of trade and payments. Read more →

Digital Trade: From “we need standards” to “let’s drive adoption” 

Read the monthly TFG and ICC DSI column! Hear from leading experts in trade digitalisation and keep up with all the breaking trends. Read more →

Understanding rules of origin: Getting the details right

Rules of Origin are the rules that determine where a good was obtained or manufactured (its economic nationality). Read more →

WaveBL and Federal Bank partner to streamline digital trade, announce successful transaction in India

Federal Bank partners with WaveBL to advance trade finance in India. Explore the advantages of digital trade and blockchain technology. Read more →

SMEunited calls for clarity in EU’s proposed Late Payment Directive revision

Learn about the proposed adjustments to combat late payment and the concerns of SMEunited regarding equity in commercial dealings. Read more →

CPTPP receives Royal Assent, set to become law latest this year

Learn about the UK’s membership in the CPTPP. Find out how it will expand the global economy and benefit UK goods exports. Read more →


TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 18th March 2024

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG:

  • Bridging the gap: The transformative potential of factoring in Africa
  • France’s Alexandre Holroyd brings forth proposal to boost digital trade in France
  • Advancing supplier diversity in Canada
  • International Standby Practices (ISP98): 25 years later
  • AI is here to stay: ITC and TFG launch AI in the workplace guide
  • Trade Finance in the modern era: Embracing agility
  • EBRD extends $25m facility to Ukrainian Privatbank
  • India and EFTA sign a $100b free trade agreement to boost exports and investment

Bridging the gap: The transformative potential of factoring in Africa

Factoring in Africa allows businesses to sell their accounts receivable at a discount to gain immediate cash flow, is gaining traction across the continent, buoyed by significant growth and the support of institutions like Afreximbank and FCI. Read more →

France’s Alexandre Holroyd brings forth proposal to boost digital trade in France

France has introduced a bill, aiming to substantially boost France’s digital trade and elevate the financial sector’s attractiveness. Read more →

Advancing supplier diversity in Canada

Learn how Canada’s cultural diversity can drive supplier diversity and support economic growth. Embrace inclusivity and create a more equitable economy. Read more →

International Standby Practices (ISP98): 25 years later

This year represents a remarkable milestone in the lifetime of the international rules for standby letters of credit: ISP98. Read more →

AI is here to stay: ITC and TFG launch AI in the workplace guide

ITC and TFG have partnered to produce an AI in the Workplace guide. Find out more about this guide and the future of AI. Read more →

Trade Finance in the modern era: Embracing agility

Hear from Finastra’s Iain MacLennan on the changing nature of Trade Finance. Discover the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation. Read more →

EBRD extends $25m facility to Ukrainian Privatbank

EBRD grants a $25 million trade finance facility to Privatbank to support Ukraine’s trade operations amid global banking challenges. Read more →

India and EFTA sign a $100b free trade agreement to boost exports and investment

India has finalised a free trade agreement worth $100 billion with the EFTA, comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Read more →


TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 11th March 2024

  • TFG launches Women in Trade, Treasury & Payments 2024 Digital Campaign, celebrating International Women’s Day
  • A 2024 guide to customs compliance and cross-border trade
  • International Women’s Day 2024: Breathing inclusion 
  • Enigio and Mitigram partner to enhance global digital trade
  • Allianz Trade introduces new B2B e-commerce payment solution
  • Visa and Western Union announce cross-border payment partnership
  • Despite the implementation of AfCTA, Africa represents under 3% of global trade
  • BACB report highlights African trade finance potential amid funding gap

TFG launches Women in Trade, Treasury & Payments 2024 Digital Campaign, celebrating International Women’s Day

Trade Finance Global is delighted to announce the launch of our Women in Trade, Treasury & Payments 2024 digital campaign, in honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. Read more →

A 2024 guide to customs compliance and cross-border trade

Customs compliance obligations have to be met when importing and exporting goods to ensure that the documentation related to the accompanying goods is generated in adherence with the legislation of the importing and exporting countries. Read more →

International Women’s Day 2024: Breathing inclusion 

The magic of breathing right with functional exercise empowers me to stay included in the workforce through pregnancy and parenthood. Read more →

Enigio and Mitigram partner to enhance global digital trade

Enigio and Mitigram announce a new partnership aiming to enhance global digital trade. Find out more about the partnership here! Read more →

Allianz Trade introduces new B2B e-commerce payment solution

Allianz Trade is enhancing its e-commerce credit insurance services to provide real-time protection against non-payment risks. Read more →

Visa and Western Union announce cross-border payment partnership

Today, Visa announced a partnership with Western Union, helping increase cross-border payments access 40 countries spanning five regions. Read more →

Despite the implementation of AfCTA, Africa represents under 3% of global trade

A recent report highlighted the persistent challenges in boosting Africa’s share in global trade, which despite the implementation of AfCTA, still remains under 3%. Read more →

BACB report highlights African trade finance potential amid funding gap

Learn about the challenges and opportunities of African trade finance and how a specialist bank is addressing them for safe and sustainable trade. Read more →

TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 4th March 2024

  • BAFT and TFG launch a comprehensive Letter of Credit guide
  • Progression through effort and risk taking: Absa’s Michelle Knowles discusses being a woman in the workplace
  • ECAs play a vital role in protecting international trade flows
  • AI in banking: What will it actually change?
  • Lloyds Bank and WaveBL partner to enhance digital trade operations
  • Prime Bank signs factoring agreement with FCI to support Bangladesh exports
  • Digitalising MC13: Global institutions sign pact to promote digital trade
  • International coalition outlines plastic pollution solution at MC13

BAFT and TFG launch a comprehensive Letter of Credit guide

TFG and BAFT have announced the launch of a Letter of Credit Guide. Read from leading experts on their definition, uses and intricacies! Read more →

Progression through effort and risk taking: Absa’s Michelle Knowles discusses being a woman in the workplace

To kick off TFG’s Women in Trade, Treasury & Payments 2024 campaign, TFG spoke to Absa’s Michelle Knowles about her experiences in the industry. Read more →

ECAs play a vital role in protecting international trade flows

ECAs play a critical role in promoting and shoring up international trade flows, particularly during times of upheaval and economic stress. Read more →

AI in banking: What will it actually change?

Discover how AI is transforming the banking sector. From enhanced customer experiences to streamlined operations, AI is revolutionizing the way we bank. Read more →

Lloyds Bank and WaveBL partner to enhance digital trade operations

Learn about Lloyds Bank’s collaboration with WaveBL and the benefits of digital trade documentation for global shipping and trade efficiency. Read more →

Prime Bank signs factoring agreement with FCI to support Bangladesh exports

Prime Bank has entered into an agreement with FCI in Dhaka, enabling the bank to carry out an international factoring operation with UniCredit Factoring Italy. Read more →

Digitalising MC13: Global institutions sign pact to promote digital trade

At MC13, 27 February, a group of leading international organisations forged an agreement to promote a unified goal of developing a neutral, open, non-profit, and inclusive digital platform for sharing trade data. Read more →

International coalition outlines plastic pollution solution at MC13

At MC13 coalition of World Trade Organisation (WTO) members has taken a step towards curbing the issue of plastics pollution. Read more →

TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 26th February 2024

  • Football, factoring and fraud: Kicking out the bad actors, creating rules and standards
  • Geopolitical risk and financial crime risk are interwoven, and data is key to managing both
  • Generative AI and LLMs in trade finance: Believe the hype (well, most of it)
  • Trade finance and ISO 20022: A matter of when, not if?
  • Digital trade finance gets a lifeline: Xalts to acquire Contour Network
  • The rise of hydrogen and its impact on the energy market
  • World Economic Forum to host inaugural TradeTech Forum alongside MC13
  • UAE’s non-oil trade hits record high, surpasses $952bn in 2023

Football, factoring and fraud: Kicking out the bad actors, creating rules and standards

Factoring, invoice financing, and open account methods are vital for the global economy, aiding businesses in managing cash flow & liquidity. Read more →

Geopolitical risk and financial crime risk are interwoven, and data is key to managing both

Learn why data is crucial in navigating geopolitical & sanctions risks within the payments space, ensuring compliance & financial integrity. Read more →

Generative AI and LLMs in trade finance: Believe the hype (well, most of it)

Uncover the truth behind the hype of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and its implications for trade finance. Read more →

Trade finance and ISO 20022: A matter of when, not if?

Discover how ISO 20022 can reshape the world of trade finance and what banks need to do to prepare for a global adoption. Read more →

Digital trade finance gets a lifeline: Xalts to acquire Contour Network

Singapore-based fintech start-up Xalts, has announced the acquisition of Contour Network after Contour announced bankruptcy in October. Read more →

The rise of hydrogen and its impact on the energy market

Discover the transformative role of hydrogen in the global energy sector in 2024. Explore the trends shaping the energy landscape and the potential of renewables. Read more →

World Economic Forum to host inaugural TradeTech Forum alongside MC13

The World Economic Forum is set to host the inaugural TradeTech Forum 2024, where 300 ministers, industry leaders, trade professionals, and representatives from civil society will discuss the integration of advanced technologies into trade. Read more →

UAE’s non-oil trade hits record high, surpasses $952bn in 2023

According to officials, the UAE’s non-oil trade reached $952 billion in 2023, breaking previous record highs. Read more about the news here. Read more →

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