Global Trade Review (GTR)

US authorities have imposed sanctions on two oil traders in Hong Kong and the UAE, as well as several shipping companies across Asia, for allegedly brokering and transporting Iranian-origin fuel. The Office of Foreign Assets Control and Department of State announced this week it was cracking down on “oil brokers”, which operate outside Iran but facilitate the sale and transport of Iranian oil, largely to buyers in China and the UAE.

Standard Chartered has announced it will align its trade practices with the International Chamber of Commerce's Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance, becoming the first international bank to do so. Going forward, the bank will assess the sustainability of its trade financing based on criteria set by the ICC, as well as its own internal standards outlined in its transition finance and sustainable product frameworks.

We’re thrilled to unveil the agenda and speaker line-up for #GTRWestAfrica 2025, returning to #Lagos on April 24-25, 2025! Hailed as the premier annual gathering for engagement with influential figures in West African #trade, #supplychain, #infrastructure and #export financing, GTR West Africa will provide an exceptional platform for networking, enabling delegates to forge unique connections and develop new business relationships. Showcasing unrivalled expertise across two action-packed days, over 45 expert speakers are set to explore the latest trade trends, tackle key financing challenges, and offer business critical insights on the future market landscape. Discussion topics include: ⚔️ ‘Trade war 2.0’: The reshuffle of influence and opportunity 🚀 Boosting the export value chain with working capital 💰 Sustainable investment: Financing social infrastructure 🤖 Digitisation for local banks and corporates: Stripping out costs 🔋 Energy sector trade and investment trends 📈 The demographic dividend: Stepping up to boost small business growth View the agenda available now to gain insight into last year’s event statistics, preview the event discussions and explore the list of speakers that will be present. 👉 Register to attend (get 10% off before March 21): https://lnkd.in/dznw4n_e 📅 Add to calendar: https://lnkd.in/dEkB3EQD 🤝 Join the online event community: https://lnkd.in/eTGv5W4H #GlobalTrade #TradeFinance #ExportFinance #SupplyChainFinance #InfrastructureFinance #Digitisation #WorkingCapital

Commodity traders are increasingly leaning on strong balance sheets and sector expertise to provide pre-payment and early-stage financing to mining and energy projects, research by McKinsey finds. “Especially on the mining side, but also the oil and gas side, more and more of this financing is provided by the commodity traders… with the equity and cash that they have generated,” says Joscha Schabram, a partner at McKinsey in Zurich.

Gemcorp Capital has entered the trade finance fray with a new fund that it hopes will help fill the “middle market” gap left open by banks that have shrunk their commodity finance lending. The London-headquartered asset manager last week announced the launch of the Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund, an US Securities and Exchange Commission-listed vehicle that will lend directly to “commodity-linked” corporates and sovereigns.

The European Union’s proposed alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative is struggling to scale and requires the launch of a specialist unit coordinating export and development finance, experts say. Launched four years ago, the EU’s Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300bn in infrastructure projects globally by 2027.

Swiss energy trader Litasco has won a dispute against Banque El Amana over a US$1.8mn trade finance agreement, with a UK court rejecting the Mauritanian lender’s attempts to stay the proceedings. Litasco brought the claim after Banque El Amana refused to honour a standby letter of credit issued in early 2019, according to a High Court judgment published in mid-February.

Returning to our screens on April 15-16, David Meynell and Chintan Khanna will host the latest edition of the GTR Training: Fundamentals of Trade Finance and Emerging Trends course, with a newly developed agenda. Designed for those opting to enhance their career in #banking, #corporate and #fintech professions, this course will provide the prime opportunity to explore #trade #finance fundamentals, risks, mitigants, emerging trends and much more! Those in attendance will: 🔹 Gain 10 #CPD points 🔹 Scale up their knowledge and align it with #trade #finance industry standards 🔹 Engage in effective and highly engaging discussions 🔹 Learn expert insights, industry best practices and real-world scenarios  🔹 Gain a certification of completion to enhance their professional credentials  🔹 Connect with the trade finance community online Register today: https://lnkd.in/ed6nqzW3 #GTRTraining #TradeFinance #CPDTraining #CPDAccredited

Do you know a young exporter or young export financier who deserves recognition? The BExA-GTR Young Exporter and Finance Young Exporter of the Year Awards 2025 is now open. The successful candidates will have typically played a key role in winning or closing financing of a significant order or achieving a series of smaller orders, or in establishing a new business process which has led to increased export competitiveness. The winners will receive a cheque for £1,000 and a 1-year digital subscription to GTR and presented with their award at the BExA Spring Reception 2025 at the House of Commons on 5th June. The nominator of the winners will receive a complimentary ticket to the Reception, valued at £100. The deadline for nominations is 30th April 2025. Find out more about the Award and criteria for entry - https://lnkd.in/dyN9P4X2 #export #trade #UKexport #youngexporter

Crédit Agricole CIB has appointed Javier Sanchez-Asiain as head of international trade and transaction banking for Europe. The move comes as part of broader restructuring within the bank’s international trade and transaction banking division, which now includes a newly launched global trade and commodities unit.