In a divided political climate we increasingly see trade used as a tool of coercion to achieve strategic influence, an instrument of foreign policy rather than a by-product. In this session we hear various experts consider the implications of this trend for African markets as Rob Hersov, CEO & Founder of Invest Africa talks with Wildu du Plessis (Baker McKenzie), Talitha Bertelsmann-Scott (South African Institute of International Affairs), Elena Williams, (UK Department for International Trade) and Rupert Boyle (Gallagher), posing the question “is trade still a force for good?”

Bringing you the best in trade and export content, with highlighted discussions and insights from GTR Africa 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa on March 14-15\. If you missed the event or are looking to be involved next year be sure to visit www.gtreview/events for more information - dates for 2020’s event will be available soon!

Trade finance organisations are faced with an urgent challenge when it comes to acquiring, developing and retaining diverse talent. It’s now time to move from aspirations to actions if the industry wants to future-proof its existence.

At the recent GTR Women in Trade Finance event in Dubai, Rana Nawas gave a thought-provoking speech about why institutions should care about this issue. Rana is a keynote speaker, strategic advisor and the host of the podcast When Women Win.

With increasing unpredictability surrounding protectionist trade policies around the globe, identifying geopolitical risks has become a pressing issue for the trade community. Highlighting the potential businessrepercussions posed by increasing trade barriers, a debate-led keynotediscussion will provide contrasting perspectives on their potential impact on Nordic trade and economic growth, addressing the question: ‘How bad can a global trade war really be?’ 

**Speakers:**

**Olof Manner**, Head of Research, **Swedbank**

**Lena Sellgren**, Chief Economist, **Business Sweden**

Debate 2: Do ICOs provide a potential new source of finance  or reason for caution? 

Viewpoint 1: **Raj Uttamchandani**, Executive Director, **Trade Finance Market**

Interest in initial coin offerings (ICOs), the process of using  cryptocurrency to raise money for trade lending, is growing as companieslook for alternative ways to fund supply chains and raise capital. Simplerand faster than traditional cross-border fundraising, removing much of the complexity around different currencies, settlements and payment consolidations, ICOs help provide SMEs and start-ups in particular with greater access to a more diverse pool of potential investors, with blockchain-based screening solutions enabling quick funding and derisking of transactions. 

Viewpoint 2: **Kim Kit Ow**, Partner, **Bird & Bird**

The unregulated nature of ICOs provide inherent risks,  with concerns over sources of funds and financial crime leading to close monitoring. If the industry is seriously thinking of building ICOs up as a long-term alternative to fiat currency it needs to start working on serious and specific regulations. Companies and individuals keen to get enter theICO market need to ensure they have the right expertise in the correct jurisdiction. With ICO volumes so far miniscule when compared to themarket gap and with additional concerns over integrity, greater clarity is still needed to ensure the potential is not lost.

A new format unveiled at this year’s GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week, GTR’s Debating Chamber will incorporated a debate format whereby speakers argued their viewpoints on key issues to an engaged room of participants. This episode we hear from Alex Capri, Senior Fellow at NUS Business School & Carl Wegner, Managing Director and Head of Asia for R3 as they debate whether the future of the global digital economy is under threat.

**Debate 1: Is the future of the global digital economy  under threat? **

**Yes:** Alex Capri, Senior Fellow, NUS Business School

The decision by US regulators to block the sale of MoneyGram  to Alibaba’s Ant Financial platform was badly received in Beijing, whilst ongoing concerns around sanctions adherence by the Chinese tech giant ZTE and US investigations into Chinese violations of US intellectual property continue to heighten tensions. With the geopolitical environmentchanging considerably, many western companies looking to break into the Chinese market could get caught in the crosshairs, causing havoc for regional supply chains.

**No:** Carl Wegner, Managing Director, Head of Asia, R3

It will take more than political wrangling to slow the formidable growth  of the technology sector in Asia. China continues to be a leading force in developing blockchain for trade finance, with more developers in Beijing than any other city and with Chinese banks and companies already moving projects into the production phase. Chinese fintech companies

Today **GTR** brings you the best in trade and treasury content, with highlighted discussions and insights from [**GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week 2018**](https://www.gtreview.com/events/asia/gtr-asia-trade-treasury-week-2018/), the world’s largest gathering of its kind. The event took place at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on September 4-7.

With the past year having seen countless headlines on trade, from the ongoing spat between the US and China to the latest tariffs being imposed on commodities such as steel and aluminium, this episode will feature a high-level debate session between Tony Nash, Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Complete Intelligence and Deborah Elms, Executive Director or Asian Trade Centre as they discuss ‘How seriously should a global trade war be taken? Moderated by Alex Capri, Senior Fellow, NUS Business School.

**[GTR](https://www.linkedin.com/company/exporta/)**'s Eleanor Wragg interviews [Amit Agarwal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-agarwal-ab0a7483?originalSubdomain=sg), head of open account trade products, Global Transaction Services at DBS, about the demand for sustainable leadership in the trade finance market and supply chain finance trends in Asia.

**[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/exporta/)**

The interview took place at the annual [GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week](https://www.gtreview.com/events/asia/gtr-asia-trade-treasury-week-2018).

More links:

- [GTR Asia distilled in 6 points](https://goo.gl/EF7oP4)

- [Economists clash over impact of trade war](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glrMYqweDew&t=2s)

- [Event photos](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM7tIaUIRAnT_3SAvY3rC-b2pqybHYxna62YiGeLCNwA1NbXjTNFbS6G9BpIFfg3g?key=MF9SVWRCR0xrSFIxc3NEa1JGWHhZckhjb2xJREV3)

Nordic Region Trade and Export Finance Conference 2017 took place at the Radisson Blu in Stockholm on November 16, 2017.

The discussion highlights afternoon Stream A, titled “Exporting to emerging markets: what if all goes wrong?” and features Cristina Rooth, Legal Counsel from SEB and Victor Carstenius, Country Analyst from EKN.

Christina and Victor assess a number of hypothetical business risk scenarios and provide insights into the potential legal issues and appropriate courses of action for each case. Discussion points include:

-   What are the risks to look out for?

-   How enforceable are various contract structures (if at all)?

-   And what can exporters and financiers do to safeguard against defaults?

* Victor Carstenius, Country Analyst from EKN -http://bit.ly/2G0WRt4

* Cristina Rooth, Legal Counsel from SEB - http://bit.ly/2ExY8ep

This episode features keynote speaker Richard Duncan, Financial Analyst, Author, Economist & Consultant. Richard spoke during the GTR Asia Trade & Treasury Week 2017 at the 9.10 morning plenary keynote session ‘Understanding potential threats to trade and economic stability in Asia.’ The event took place at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on September 5-8, 2017.

Richard examines how the build-up of trade imbalances over the last few decades have proved instrumental in leaving the global economy unstable and vulnerable to severe crises.

• Richard Duncan LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2zkacwY

• 90-second update: US sanctions would destroy China's economy featuring Richard Duncan - https://goo.gl/WnR1fD