6th Annual Africa Trade & Export Finance Conference

Description

Building on its continuing presence on the continent and strong support from key local and regional institutions, Exporta returns to Africa for its showcase trade event for the sub-Saharan region, the 6th Annual Africa Trade & Export Finance Conference.

Set in Cape Town, South Africa on March 8-9, the conference will bring together senior decision makers from the corporate and banking sectors to discuss Africa’s continuing importance within the global trade market and the key challenges faced as the continent’s process of economic and social development provides ever more increasing opportunities for discussion and debate.

Over the course of the conference a number of key themes will be discussed including:
•Changing corporate financing priorities: Can the local banking sector meet the current need for trade finance?
•Expanding networks and increasing intra-regional trade lines across the continent
•Highlighting recent market syndications and benefits provided for capex financing
•The role of multilaterals in providing finance mechanisms to facilitate bilateral cooperation
•Showcasing the strength of Chinese institutional commitment to financing African growth
•Outlining specific opportunities available in emerging markets such as Zambia and Angola
•Assessing key challenges faced in currency settlement when trading with other emerging markets
•Risk profiling: What new markets have moved to the forefront as a result of political and social changes?
•The need for improved logistical networks in light of Africa’s key role in the global supply chain
•Debating the impact of fluctuating commodity prices across key industries such as metals, mining, energy and agriculture
•Are sufficient pre-export financing facilities available for Africa to maximise its commodity potential?
•Is South Africa still considered the primary trade entry point into Africa?

“The conference was very enlightening and good for building contacts and networking”
Dolapo Ogundimu, Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana

“An exceptional occasion for actors to meet and share experiences for self improvement”
Abdel Zampelegre, Bank of Africa, Burkina Faso

“The conference is excellent for meeting the people that matter in African trade finance”
Jorim Schraven, FMO

Natural resources, both within the oil and metals markets and the buoyant agriculture sector continue to dominate the African landscape, but it is perhaps the processes through which such resources are utilised, both in the facilitating of international and intra-regional trade and establishment of a suitable environment to conduct business which remains the key challenge.

Who should attend?
•Local and international banks
•Multinationals and SMEs
•Indepdendent financiers
•Commodity brokers and traders
•Insurance brokers and underwriters
•Export credit agencies
•Lawyers and consultants
•Solution providers
•Multilaterals
•Market analysts and policy advisors

As with all Exporta events, strong focus will be placed on the importance of networking, with a special evening reception planned on the close of Day One in the beautiful setting of Cape Town, providing delegates with the chance to network informally long into the evening.

Brochure

Programme

Day One

09.00 Chairman’s opening remarks
Ebenezer Essoka, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank South Africa

09.10 Keynote: Keeping trade finance flowing
Michael Kagwa, Divisional Executive, International Finance, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
• Assessing the present cost of trade finance and impact on regional and global companies
• What are the likely implications of Basel III for the African market?
• Assessing difficulties faced in obtaining credit and dangers posed for export initiatives
• How local companies are under threat as primary users of letters of credit
• The growing use of credit ratings and need for greater transparency

09.35 Panel discussion: Trade and export finance priorities and concerns across the continent
Moderator: Heinz Noeding, Global Head of Structured Export Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
Gergely Abraham, Structured Finance, Middle East & Africa, Nokia Siemens Networks
Vernon Darko, President, Equipxp Construction
Paul Levy, Group Sales Director, Bridge Group
Bart Ellermeijer, Chief Financial Officer, Royal Duyvis Wiener
Sinan Ozcan, Trade Finance Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey, CNH
• Contrasting the perceived risk appetite from different sources of financing (international, regional, local, multilateral)
• Providing the corporate view on the critical differences from available sources (pricing, tenor, terms)
• Expediency and economic trade-off for various financing structures (vendor financing vs bank financing vs project financing)
• Considering the increasing use of select credit enhancement structures
• Addressing logistical challenges faced when looking to get goods into the market and impact on demand
• Predictions for 2012: What are the primary concerns in terms of market disruption?


10.25 Networking break

11.05 Case study: Innovative financing within the telecommunications sector
Gabriel Buck, Head of Capex Financing Solutions, Barclays Capital
Robin Coode, Group Executive, Specialised Financial Services, Telkom
• Highlighting recent transactions and benefits provided for capex financing
• Providing a benchmark for future financings under specific frameworks
• Benefits provided by including a broad range of financial institutions in the transaction
• Showcasing the strength of Chinese institution commitment to financing growth in Africa
• How such transactions can provide a cheaper source of funding compared to the bank/bond markets
• Supporting strong corporate governance in both procurement and financing processes

11.45 The Sub-Saharan political and economic climate in 2012
Nick Robson, Deputy Chairman, Financial Risks Division, Jardine Lloyd Thompson
• Consequences for funding trade and investment in Africa arising from the Euro crisis and Basel III
• The impact of the Arab Spring on investor and lender sentiment to exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Political risk trends and the impact of elections on political violence and contractual risk
• The 2012 calendar of country risk in Sub-Saharan Africa: Predictable threats and emerging crises
• Who are the buyers for Sub-Saharan credit and political risk and how should you engage them?

12.10 Panel discussion: Has South Africa’s goal of greater African integration fallen by the wayside?
Moderator: Shannon Manders, Deputy Editor & Supplements Editor, Global Trade Review (GTR)
Gregory Havermahl, Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities, Structured Trade & Commodity Finance, Rand Merchant Bank
Sekete Mokgehle, Head of Global Structured Trade & Commodity Finance, Nedbank Capital
Rupert Cutler, Managing Director, Financial and Political Risk, Newman Martin & Buchan
Megan McDonald, Director, Head of Structured Trade Finance, Standard Bank
Jorim Schraven, Manager, Financial Institutions, FMO
• Can South Africa maintain / reclaim its status as the gateway to the continent?
• Is it doing enough to take advantage of available trade opportunities?
• How successful has the country been in forging new trade links on its own continent?
• How are South African banks looking to develop their intra-Africa trade lines?
• Where are the new frontier markets? South Sudan? Zimbabwe? Angola?
• What are the implications on the types of trade deals that are being closed?


13.00 Lunch

Stream A: Export and ECA and multilateral finance (14.15-16.50)

Chairman: Farrukh Siddiqui, Managing Director, Head of Trade Middle East & Africa, J.P. Morgan

14.10 Export finance: Enjoying a boom?
Moderator: Andreas Klasen, Partner, Head of Export Credit Guarantees, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Philna Potgieter, Head of Export Credit Finance, Nedbank Capital
Okey Oramah, Executive Vice-President, Afreximbank
Faruq Muhammad, Regional Head, Middle East & Africa, Structured Export Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
Chris Mitman, Specialised Finance, Capital Markets, Investec Bank
• How banks and ECAs are working together to close more capital equipment financing transactions
• Tracking the strong export finance growth in sectors such as energy and telecoms
• The role of ECAs in spearheading the return of international capital for trade deals
• Highlighting the latest offerings being provided by ECAs and their primary role in longer term financing
• Is group-lending the solution for the bigger and riskier deals?

15.05 Corporate loan syndication activity and impact on export finance
Pamela Green, Director, Syndications, Standard Chartered Bank
• What transactions are proving most popular in what market at present?
• Is the current trend primarily for local or international bank lending?
• Discussing the significance of ECAs and DFIs in providing support for larger transactions
• Should South Africa still be regarded as the dominant influence in the African syndications market?

15.30 Networking break

16.00 Panel discussion: Multilaterals and their role in facilitating regional exports
Moderator: Victor Kgomoeswana, Associate Director, Accounts and Business Development - Africa Business Centre, Ernst & Young
Michael Kagwa, Divisional Executive, International Finance, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
Mandisi Nkuhlu, Chief Operating Officer, Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC)
Thokoane Tsolo, Head, Africa Unit, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter, Chief Director, Africa Multilaterals, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Examining credit line facilities being undertaken to fund reconstruction and development
• Highlighting opportunities provided for African exporters in fulfilling regional project needs
• Debating whether such initiatives demonstrate a political will to improve intra-regional trade flows
• How can multilaterals and ECAs provide support structures for financing infrastructure development?
• Establishing more formal business structures to boost trade and investment

16.50 Close of Day One followed by networking reception

Stream B: Commodity and supply chain finance (14.15-16.50)

Chairman: Denys Denya, Executive Vice President, Afreximbank

14.10 Panel discussion: How are banks and corporates collaborating to achieve maximum efficiency in the supply chain?
Moderator: Denis Kruger, Regional Account Manager, Africa South, EMEA Region, Swift
Michelle Knowles, Product Head, Supply Chain Finance, First National Bank of South Africa
Bob Blower, Global Head of Payments, Cash Management & Trade Products, Standard Bank
• Enhancing process visibility to improve efficiency in working capital optimisation
• Adopting a common language for exchanging data across regions and industries
• Building the same confidence in open account business as for documentary trade
• Addressing the challenges of managing the financial supply chain in Africa

15.00 Automating payables financing programmes
Digby Bennett, Regional Director, Middle East, Africa & Australia, China Systems
• Assessing the importance of real-life visibility and invoice data integrity in SCF
• With a plethora of systems being used by buyers and suppliers, how can you ensure a successful solution?
• Are light processing requirements the measure of success?
• What's happening with ERP vendors, X.12 and data standards?

15.30 Networking break

16.00 Panel discussion: Does Africa still provide the best opportunities for commodity trade?
Moderator: Lodewyk Meyer, Director, Banking & Finance, Norton Rose South Africa
Lyndon Kevan Skinner, Vice-President, Trade & Commodity Finance, KfW IPEX-Bank
Bharat Kulkarni, Chief Executive Officer, Tanzania Commodity Exchange
Herve Aimone, Partner, Cofarco Commodity Finance & Risk
Anne-Marie Woolley, Director & Head of Trade Finance, Africa, Standard Bank
• Considering where market leaders see the primary opportunities coming from at present
• The impact of pricing on market appetite and balancing opportunities against costs
• How structured finance lends itself to the African market in terms of risk mitigation
• Changing priorities for key stakeholders when listing warehouse facility services
• What has the increase in popularity of the LatAm market meant for Africa’s appeal as the world’s commodity hub?

16.50 Close of Day One followed by networking reception

Day Two

Chairman: Jorim Schraven, Manager, Financial Institutions, FMO

09.10 Macroeconomic overview: New frontier growth markets
Thea Fourie, Economist, Sub-Saharan Africa Economics, IHS Global Insight
• Highlighting some of the newer players gaining interest such as Angola, Zambia and South Sudan
• Assessing the impact of overseas investment from the likes of India, China and Malaysia
• How substantial is the risk appetite for banks in terms of lending and the cost of doing business?
• Considering the lack of institutionalism and the impact on the business environment (regulation, licenses, corruption)
• Reflecting on poor infrastructure, the challenges posed and opportunities for export finance

09.35 Panel discussion: Trade credit and political risk in Africa
Moderator: Nick Robson, Deputy Chairman, Financial Risks Division, Jardine Lloyd Thompson
Ebbe Rabie, Account Manager, New Business, Risk Solutions, Aon South Africa
Thomas Kolberg, Head of Department Economic Research, Euler Hermes Kreditversicherungs
Simon Sayer, Head of Structured Trade & Export Finance, Deutsche Bank
Pamela Wadi, Senior Consultant, Control Risks
• How effective are current initiatives to protect against trade credit risks and increase Africa's appeal to the private market?
• Assessing the latest developments in Africa’s political risk environment and the subsequent impact on trade
• How is the market responding to the challenges presented by the credit crunch and new regulatory criteria?
• What are the prospects for Basel III and how are insurers working to meet this challenge?
• Providing an overview of market performance in 2011 and predictions for 2012

10.25 China-Africa trade: A continuing success story
Windsor Chan, Deputy General Manager, Johannesburg Branch, China Construction Bank
• Where are the best financing opportunities to be found at present?
• Assessing the impact of the Eurozone crisis on increased appetite for Africa
• The role of Chinese institutions in financing non-Chinese companies
• Knowledge sharing and benefits provided through improved best practice
• Increasing involvement in structured trade and large-scale syndications

10.50 Networking Break


11.20 Formulating logistics strategies to boost growth
Charles Brewer, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL
• Developing hubs to accelerate the inter-regional movement of goods
• Benefits provided through avoiding congestion at ports
• Focusing on increasing African SME growth and the need for expanding beyond current limits
• Further opportunities provided by growing trade volumes between Africa and Asia

11.45 Case study: The rise of RMB as a global trade currency
Yang Jing, Senior Manager, Financial Institutions, Bank of China Hong Kong
• Tracking the latest developments within the offshore RMB market
• Considering the role of RMB as a cross border trade currency in global markets
• Examining the products and services being offered to corporates and FIs in the African market
• How developed is the offshore RMB bond market?

12.10 Panel discussion: Which way forward for cross-border trade settlement?
Moderator: Dominic Broom, Managing Director, Sales and Relationship Management, BNY Mellon
James Robertson, Regional Global Market Sales Head, Southern & Central Africa, Standard Bank
Wu Yuan, Chief Trade Product Manager, Corporate Banking & Financial Institutions, Bank of China Hong Kong
Colin Grieve, Chief Representative Officer, South Africa, AfrAsia Bank
• New opportunities arising from increased trade flows between Africa and other emerging markets
• Providing companies with the ability to freely conduct foreign exchange transactions involving RMB and other trading currencies
• Examining new services and initiatives in place to reduce transaction costs, and mitigate foreign exchange and other risks
• Assessing potential risks to transactional stability and subsequent impact on market appeal
• How have recent changes in trade dynamics affected African companies looking to compete on the international stage?

13.00 Close of conference followed by networking lunch

Venue

Accommodation

Delegates are responsible for the arrangement and payment of their own travel and accommodation.

Upon registering to attend this event, Exporta will inform you of how to book accommodation at the venue.

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities including exhibition stands are available for this event.

To become a sponsor, please contact Tom Whitehead, Head of Sponsorship Sales at twhitehead@exportagroup.com.

Exporta's events have a global reputation, renowned for superb networking opportunities and educational presentations by high-profile speakers.

Time after time our events attract the leading companies in our market as sponsors.

See below for a full list of our Event Sponsors, Institutional Partners and Media Partners and click on the logo to visit their web site.