Host Felix Thompson gives a breakdown of the major stories in trade and trade finance news this week.

Blockchain trade finance initiative Contour has now left beta, bringing the decentralised, digital trade finance platform into full live production.

UK businesses are largely optimistic about growth prospects over the medium term, with business confidence higher now than this time last year, according to new data from Santander.

A group of major banks are hoping that a new blockchain-based registry of trade finance transactions will put a stop to the fraudulent practices that have plagued Singapore’s commodities trading sector this year.

Reporter Maddy White also explains why hundreds of thousands of seafarers are stuck at sea, and how the situation could pose significant problems for supply chains and trade.

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