Trade Finance Global (TFG)

🇨🇳 Chinese government speaks out against Panama Canal deal, placing £18bn plan at risk 🚢 China and Hong Kong are speaking out against a planned deal to place key ports on the Panama Canal, currently held by a Chinese company, under US control. This comes amidst reports that the Chinese government would be investigating CK Hutchinson’s sale of the two key Panama ports to US investment giant BlackRock, in a deal likely partially motivated by President Trump’s plans to place the crucial waterway back under American control. ➡️ On Tuesday, 18 March, Bloomberg reported that senior Chinese government officials have instructed state agencies, including the State Administration of Market Regulation, China’s main antitrust agency, to study the sale for potential breaches of security or antitrust issues. 🛳️ The deal, announced on 4 March, involves CK Hutchinson, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, selling controlling stakes in a total of 45 ports in 23 countries, including the Balboa and Cristobal ports, to a group of investors backed by BlackRock. This would make BlackRock the world’s third-largest port operator, giving it control over 10.4% of global container traffic. 📖 Read the news with the link in the comments!

The Trade Finance Global (TFG) team had a fantastic day at City & Financial Global’s Economic Sanctions Summit 2025 filled with open conversations from an exceptional group of experts we were fortunate to hear from and connect with. 🔸 The day began with an introduction from Maurice Button, City & Financial Global. 🔸 After delivering the opening remarks, Marcus Thompson, Kirkland & Ellis, joined Satindar Dogra, Linklaters, and Nabi Abdullaev, Control Risks (Russia & CIS) in the first panel. They discussed the challenges facing the UK Government in introducing and implementing sanctions in today’s climate. 🔸 Next, Edward Pearson, White & Case LLP, moderated a panel on the impact of recent geopolitical developments on financial institutions and UK corporates. Jonathan Burke, Citi, Simon Armstrong, Barclays, and Rakesh Patel, HSBC, explored whether compliance is becoming more or less challenging. 🔸 We then heard from Maya Lester KC, Brick Court Chambers, who provided an update on the latest UK sanctions developments. 🔸 Nabi Abdullaev then returned for an engaging presentation, in which he spoke about using a report card approach to assess the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia and their impact on political, economic, and organisational behaviours. 🔸 The discussion then turned to AI in sanctions screening, moderated by Shahmeem Purdasy, Virgin Money. Thank you to the panellists for their valuable insights: Marketa Piecuchova, Swiss Re, James Grant FCA, Banking Circle, Richard Dunmall, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation – SMBC Group, and Igor Sumkovski, Euroclear UK & International. 🔸 Before heading to a networking lunch, Satindar and Michael Munk, Linklaters, shared strategies for dealing with sanctions litigation. 🔸 In the afternoon, we have already enjoyed a panel on latest enforcement trends and decisions, moderated by Marcus, featuring Satindar and Ed. 🔸 Then, Yulia Solomakhina, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LL, moderated a discussion on best practice compliance strategies for dealing with entities associated with Russia and other jurisdictions, featuring Robert McMillan, Commerzbank AG, Philip Worman, J.S. Held LLC, and Neil Whiley, Bank ABC. Looking ahead, we are excited for the final panel: 🔹 To close the day, Shruti Chandhok, Kirkland & Ellis, will lead a discussion on next steps. Chloe Cina, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Christopher Tooke, J.S.Held LLC, and Rosamund de Sybel, International Institute of Strategic Studies, will explore the impact of tensions in the Middle East, US and UK foreign policy on China, and emerging areas of conflict for multinational companies’ sanctions strategies. A huge thank you to City & Financial Global for hosting such an insightful event! Find out more about the European Sanctions Summit 2025 through the link in the comments.

▶️ VIDEO | The role of women in Africa’s trade and finance 👊 Women, particularly in emerging markets, often face unique struggles that hinder their ability to participate fully in the global economy, such as limited access to education, outdated legal systems, and restrictive inheritance laws. 🎙️ To learn more about gender issues in trade, treasury, and payments, Trade Finance Global (TFG) spoke with Gwen Mwaba, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)’s Managing Director of Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking, at the annual Women in Trade Treasury and Payments event in London. 🗣️ Mwaba said, “A woman in trade can be a leader of a big organisation, but that’s the minority. The majority of ‘women in trade’ in emerging markets would be the women selling goods in a marketplace or the women carrying cash across the border from one country to another to buy goods that are required in their country.” 📺 Watch the full video, link in the comments section below ⬇️ #TRADEFINANCETALKS #WITTP2025 #africantrade #womenintrade

💡 Back to basics: The role of embedded payments 🎯 The role of payments in business is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Once seen primarily as a cost centre, payments are now emerging as a critical revenue driver. Embedded payment solutions are enabling businesses to not only manage increasingly complex payment structures, but also to unlock new revenue streams. ✍ In this article, Marija Nakevska, PhD, Chief Product & Technology Officer - Merchant Services at Worldline, writes about the roles of embedded payments and how they can enable businesses to manage complex payment structures. 📖 Read the article with the link in comments 👇 #payments #tradefinance #revenue

📽️  NEW VIDEO | Enabling inclusion by bridging trade finance gaps at Asian Development Bank (ADB) 💰 Capital investment can be vital for driving economic development, but on its own, it is rarely enough. True development requires robust financial systems that serve all trade participants and minimise those trade finance gaps limiting opportunities for businesses in regions where liquidity remains a formidable challenge. 🗣️ To learn more about the power of financing, Trade Finance Global (TFG)'s Assistant Editor, Mahika Ravi Shankar, spoke with Ankita Pandey, a Relationship Manager with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Trade and ADB Trade & Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) at the Women in Trade, Treasury, and Payment 2025 conference in London. ➡️ A significant aspect of ADB’s trade finance initiatives involves research and data-driven advocacy. The bank’s Trade Finance Gaps, Growth, and Jobs Survey, published biannually, remains the only global analysis dedicated to quantifying the shortfall in available financing. 📺  Watch the full interview using the link in the comments! #WITPP2025 #ADB

🤝 StoneX forms Latin American payments partnership with Bamboo 💸 StoneX Group, the New York-based financial services company, has announced a strategic partnership with Bamboo Payment Systems to strengthen its cross-border payment capabilities in Latin America. 🗣️ Thiago V., global head of StoneX Payments, said the partnership would "set a new standard in global payment services" by combining the companies' respective strengths. 📖 Read the full news by clicking the link in comments 👇 #payments #financial #global

🚨 Trade Finance Global (TFG) is excited to announce our attendance at The Economic Sanctions Summit 2025 in London, this Thursday, 20 March! We’re looking forward to insightful keynotes, presentations, and discussions on topics including: 🔹 Roles and responsibilities of OFSI and OTSI in enforcement 🔹 The impact of geopolitical developments on financial institutions and UK corporates 🔹 Updates on recent developments in UK sanctions 🔹 Assessing the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia 🔹 The role of AI in sanctions screening 🔹 Tactics for sanctions litigation 🔹 The National Crime Agency’s agenda for combatting sanctions breaches 🔹 Best practice compliance strategies for dealing with entities in Russia, the US, UK, and EU 🔹 The impact of tensions in the Middle East, US and UK foreign policy towards China, and emerging conflicts on sanctions strategies for UK and multinational companies. Want to check out the full agenda or register? Follow the link in the comments to get 20% off your ticket!👇

🇮🇳 India modernises bill of lading law to align with global trade standards 🤝 The Indian government has passed a key amendment modernising the 1856 Indian Bills of Lading Act, marking a significant step in aligning the country’s maritime legislation with international trade practices. 🎯 Imran Khan, Executive Director of International Chamber of Commerce India says, “This amendment marks a critical milestone for catapulting India’s digital trade ecosystem, embedding legal certainty and modernisation into the heart of maritime commerce. It sends a clear signal that India is very committed to removing the paper trapped in global trade and harmonising with global best practices, which will benefit businesses and supply chains alike.” 🗣️ Ketan Gaikwad, CEO of Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL), said, “This development is a step ahead towards the digitization of international trade for India and a long-awaited one, considering India has made significant progress in the supply chain financing of the local supply chain via digital TReDS and other payment mechanisms.” 🗣️ “The transport & logistics space has much to gain from eBLs and UNCITRAL’s MLETR. The legislative progress achieved by India over the last decade offers an example to the world across digital payments, financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and digital trade,” said André Casterman, Board Member at ITFA. 🤝 Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister of Ports, Ministry of Ports , Shipping and Waterways (India), said, “The passing of the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, in Parliament is a significant step in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of modernising India’s legal framework, making it more relevant, modern, accessible, and free from colonial legacies that have long hindered our progress.” 📖 Read the full news by clicking the link in comments 👇 Deepesh Patel #bill #india #global

📰In case you missed last week’s news on #tradefinance, here’s your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG to catch-up ☕ 🔷 Key findings from Marsh’s 2025 political risk report 🔷 VIDEO | Uzbekistan opens the doors to $2bn factoring industry 🔷 VOXPOP | Sarah Murrow on the importance of driving diversity and inclusion in the credit insurance sector 🔷 Will treasurers come up Trumps? Top regulations to watch in 2025 🔷 Bank of Ireland to use Surecomp platform for trade finance services efficiency 🔷 Pump up the Jam: Stories about pumping for #IWD2025  🔷 Panama’s government pushes back against Trump-backed BlackRock acquisition of Panama Canal ports 🔷 UK plans to scrap Payment Systems Regulator 🔷 VOXPOP | Emmanuelle Ganne on the challenges women face when accessing international trade markets 📖 Read the full trade briefing by following the link in the comments section below ⬇️