GTR Trade Insights

In the latest episode of GTR Trade Insights, we dive into a critical and timely topic for the trade finance sector. Fraud and financial crime continue to pose significant challenges to the trade industry, impacting corporates, financial institutions, and supply chains globally. On today's show, we are joined by Barclays' Jaya Vohra, global head of trade and working capital product and client management, and Nadia Rahman, head of financial crime for the Investment Bank and UK Corporate bank. They outline the scale of the problem, uncover key challenges, and discuss innovative solutions that can help mitigate these risks effectively.

In the latest episode of GTR Trade Insights, we discuss the vibrant e-commerce market and what its evolution means from a funding perspective. On the show, we are joined by Citi’s Pauline Kontos, global head of working capital advisory, treasury and trade solutions (TTS) and Bob Petrie, director, TTS trade partnerships and innovation. They outline the markets where e-commerce activity is booming, the reasons why, and how banks are rising to the challenge of supporting this emerging segment through innovative solutions. The discussion follows an in-depth article [https://www.gtreview.com/magazine/the-digital-trade-issue-2024/adapting-to-change-the-unfolding-world-of-e-commerce-trade-finance/] examining the growing role of e-commerce finance – as featured in GTR’s Q3 magazine, the Digital Trade Issue. Episode references 1. Statista: For example, Mexico's online sales increased by almost 25% in 2023. 2. Statista: Global retail e-commerce sales are expected to surpass US$8tn in 2027.

In this episode of GTR Trade Insights, we explore how banks are developing working capital and supply chain finance (SCF) solutions to help clients manage a business environment defined by high-interest rates and inflation. Adoniro Cestari Neto, global head of trade product and structuring at Citi, explains how companies are adapting not only their physical supply chain approaches, but also their financing strategies. In the conversation, Cestari Neto outlines Citi’s broad range of trade and working capital solutions, and how technological advancements are driving the bank’s receivables finance business.   The discussion follows an in-depth article [https://www.gtreview.com/supplements/gtr-supply-chain-finance-2023/the-future-of-working-capital/] examining the future of working capital initiatives – as featured in the GTR+ SCF supplement.

In the latest episode of GTR Trade Insights, we speak with Peru’s minister of foreign trade and tourism, Juan Carlos Mathews, about the South American country’s ambitious plans to boost foreign investment in key export sectors and grow trade ties with the UK. In the interview, Mathews outlines Peru’s importance in supply chains for energy, mining and agricultural commodities, noting that the country has grown to become the UK's third-largest supplier of LNG. He also tells GTR that Peru is working to address environmental and social concerns in the mining sector, as the country positions itself as a key supplier of metals, and notes that traditionally strong export sectors such as fruits and vegetables are being bolstered by ongoing investment in port and logistics infrastructure.  GTR’s senior reporter, John Basquill, spoke with Mathews during a Peruvian government trip to London aimed at driving trade and investments ties between the South American country and the UK. To find out more about doing business with Peru, please see promperu.uk [https://promperu.uk/].

In this episode of GTR Trade Insights, we explore the future of developing technologies and digital trade and speak with Valeria Sica, the managing director and head of Citi's global trade data, partnership and innovation team.  Sica is at the forefront of trade finance innovation, and in this conversation outlines how Citi’s approach to trade transformation differs from traditional trade finance banking teams. She also provides details of successful collaborations with fintechs and highlights the role of big tech companies in disrupting the trade finance industry. The discussion follows an in-depth article [https://www.gtreview.com/magazine/the-fintech-issue-2023/the-future-of-developing-technologies-and-digital-trade] that profiles a number of Citi’s initiatives in this space – as published in the GTR Q3 issue.