In the second episode of our Davos special edition, Investec guests Nick Riley, head of Investment Banking, and Dhiren Mansingh, head of Business Transactional Banking, discuss a significant shift in global trade from multi-lateralism to multi-bilateralism. This evolution places less emphasis on regional agreements and more on establishing direct bilateral relationships between countries. Our experts delve into how this transition impacts trade dynamics and how countries and companies can extract growth in an ever-changing environment.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction

01:44 – What’s the sentiment on the ground in Davos?

04:18 – Is the weakest long-term growth outlook of developing economies on the agenda?

05:15 - What strategies can South African importers and exporters adopt to navigate these challenging conditions and seize potential trade opportunities?

07:17 – The risk of imported inflation

08:49 - How can South Africa attract investment in this challenging environment?

10:30 - What criteria will we use to evaluate the success of SA narrative, and how will we define what constitutes investment success?

11:51 – What is the current appetite among banks to finance these large-scale infrastructure projects in South Africa?

13:23 – What other vital investments should we consider, that will bolster South Africa’s growth?

14:26 - Are you spotting any potential opportunities for South African businesses amid trade challenges?

16:06 - What opportunities do you see for your corporate clients in this environment?

16:51 - How can technology facilitate the scaling of trade, and what specific mechanisms do you see at play?

18:24 - How is technology influencing this sector?

19:12 - Any talks or sessions you’re most looking forward to attending this week?

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Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business. Investec Focus Radio SA