Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

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 →

TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 19th February 2024

  • PODCAST: Absa on the trade finance distribution revolution and closing the $2.5tn gap
  • Addressing Africa’s debt dilemma: The role of ECAs and new strategies
  • The role of UCP in Standby Letters of Credit transactions
  • Expanding trade opportunities in developing economies through enhanced finance solutions
  • Finastra and Tesselate partner to enhance trade finance digitalisation
  • ICISA to host 3rd annual Surety Week
  • Global carbon permit markets reach record €881b in 2023
  • OECD: 2023 sees mixed progress in global service trade liberalisation

PODCAST: Absa on the trade finance distribution revolution and closing the $2.5tn gap

Hear from Absa about the impact of the global trade finance gap and how it relates to the originate-to-distribute model. Read more →

Addressing Africa’s debt dilemma: The role of ECAs and new strategies

Learn from ECIC about the debt crisis that African governments are facing & the need to renegotiate debts in order to avoid defaulting. Read more →

The role of UCP in Standby Letters of Credit transactions

Discover how UCP rules shape Standby Letters of Credit, making global trade smoother and more reliable for finance pros. Read more here. Read more →

Expanding trade opportunities in developing economies through enhanced finance solutions

As we sail through the choppy waters of global trade in 2024, we find ourselves in a world transformed by both financial and geopolitical shifts. Read more →

Finastra and Tesselate partner to enhance trade finance digitalisation

Finastra and Tesselate, a consultancy and integrator for digital transformation, have announced the introduction of a comprehensive, ready-to-implement service aimed at simplifying and accelerating the digitalisation of trade finance. Read more →

ICISA to host 3rd annual Surety Week

The International Credit Insurance & Surety Association (ICISA) is set to host the third edition of “ICISA Surety Week” from 19 to 22 February 2024. Read more →

Global carbon permit markets reach record €881b in 2023

The value of traded global markets for carbon dioxide (CO2) permits reached a record 881 billion euros ($948.75 billion) in 2023, marking a 2% increase on the previous year, according to analysts at LSEG. Read more →

OECD: 2023 sees mixed progress in global service trade liberalisation

In 2023, OECD’s yearly analysis reported that reforms of service trade liberalisation policies in 2023 fell short of expectations. Despite this, liberalisation policies slightly surpassed the introduction of new restrictions. Read more →

TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 12th February 2024

  • 8 takeaways from the first CBAM reporting deadline
  • FOREWORD | From coffee beans to credit lines: The ties of commodity and trade in 2024
  • Understanding Letters of Credit & The UCP 600 Rules in Nigeria
  • What is Just-in-Time delivery? The evolution and impact of JIT
  • Commerzbank AG strengthens trade finance operations with Surecomp’s DOKA-NG
  • Europe sets ambitious 2030 green technology production targets
  • Mexico overtakes China as top exporter to US; American trade deficit narrows by the most since 2009

8 takeaways from the first CBAM reporting deadline

Europe’s first carbon tariff: EU’s CBAM requirements & deadlines apply to global supply chains & manufacturers. Learn how to prepare. Read more →

FOREWORD | From coffee beans to credit lines: The ties of commodity and trade in 2024

Read the latest edition of Trade Finance Talks, “Commodities & The Economy: Is 2024 the year the industry pops?” Read more →

Understanding Letters of Credit & The UCP 600 Rules in Nigeria

Letters of credit remain a core part of documentation in international trade. Despite the ease in cross-border payments facilitated by fintech companies, letters of credit continue to present themselves as indispensable documents in trade finance. Read more →

What is Just-in-Time delivery? The evolution and impact of JIT

Discover how Just-in-Time Delivery can benefit your business & suppliers. Get insights into its core mechanics & implementation strategies. Read more →

Commerzbank AG strengthens trade finance operations with Surecomp’s DOKA-NG

Surecomp revealed that Commerzbank AG has opted to implement Surecomp’s DOKA-NG™ solution for back-office trade finance processing across various entities. Read more →

Europe sets ambitious 2030 green technology production targets

The EU is taking action to promote the production of green technology. Get the facts on the European Union’s 2030 goals. Read more →

Mexico overtakes China as top exporter to US; American trade deficit narrows by the most since 2009

In 2023, Mexico overtook China as the United States’ largest goods exporter, based on recent trade figures. Read more →