6th Annual Middle East Trade & Export Finance Conference

Event Review

The 6th Annual Middle East Trade & Export Finance Conference was a well attended conference with over 120 conference attendees.  The conference offered an opportunity for financiers and businesses operating in the Middle East to hear about the latest developments and applications of trade finance solutions in the region, including tips on how to incorporate Shariah compliant structures.  The conference also looked at case studies about the latest Supply Chain financing applications and we heard from leading industry experts about their experiences on how to overcome the current market instability.

Description

These are exciting times for the Middle East as volatile oil prices continue to drive growth in the region whilst the rest  of the world is feeling the effects of the global economic downturn and credit crunch.

Situated at a natural international trade crossroads, the Middle East is uniquely exposed to the benefits and challenges presented by globalisation. In fact the emergence of Dubai as the world’s third largest re-exporter brings unprecedented opportunities for the companies situated in the region

However as exports increase, and with it the demand for trade finance, so does the region’s exposure to currency, operational and credit risks.

Inflation, the rise of commodity prices, the newly implemented GCC common market and the prospect of a common currency are but a few examples of the challenges the Middle East is faced with.

This conference offers a great opportunity for financiers and businesses operating in the Middle East to hear about the latest developments and applications of trade finance solutions in the region, including tips on how to incorporate Shariah compliant structures.  Listen to case studies and participate in focus sessions, to learn more about the latest trade deals and success stories emanating from the growing confidence of the Middle East.

This event will attract delegates from local and international financial institutions, exporters and importers, law firms, trade finance service providers, consultants,traders, processing and correspondent banks as well as investors and small and medium enterprises

Event Photos

Brochure

Programme

Day One – 24th February

08.15     Registration and coffee

09.00     Day One Chairman’s opening remarks
Asif Raza, Head Treasury & Securities Services (TSS) for MENA, J.P. Morgan

Supply Chain Solution

09.10    Economic Outlook for the region and global trade flows
Florence Eid, Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa, Passport Capital  

• Can the Middle East avoid the global slowdown?
• Is it prudent to introduce a decoupled GCC currency now?
• How long will the recession/downturn be, which industries and countries will get affected more?
• Forging new relationships, leveraging the region’s geopolitical strengths

09.40   Liquidity panel: Evolutionary structured trade solutions for banks and corporates
Moderated by Michael Burkie, Head of Corporate Business Development, Treasury Services EMEA, The Bank of New York Mellon
Ebrahim Ghosal, Managing Director, Power Line Gulf Construction 
Asif Raza, Head Treasury & Securities Services (TSS) for MENA, JPMorgan
Lakshmanan Sankaran, Assistant General Manager & Head of Trade Finance, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
Dino Skandalis, Senior Executive Officer, INTL Capital

• Impact of the credit crunch on trade, and alternative avenues of financing available
• Local vs foreign banks – which are better partners in a downturn?
• How resilient are these standard structures in times of tight liquidity?
• Can sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) bridge the short-term credit gap? Will they want to?
• Strategies going forward

10.25    An Easier Way to Trade for SMEs? (Developed by Earthport, Lloyds TSB and Adobe) 
Matt O’Donnell, Director of Business Development, Earthport 
Malcolm Rosier, Senior Manager for New Channel Development, Lloyds TSB Commercial

• Developing new trade payment strategies to help reduce risk for SMEs for low-to-medium value payments
• Providing SMEs with an easy system to manage commercial documents, trade FX and payments
• Gaining share in the SME FX market

11.00   Networking break

11.30    Panel discussion: Supply chain financing (SCF) within the Gulf
Jeremy Shaw, EMEA Global Trade Services Head, JPMorgan
Digby Bennett, Regional Sales Director, ME Africa and Australia, China Systems
Dominic Broom, Head of Business Development, Treasury Services EMEA, The Bank of New York Mellon
Tan Kah Chye, Global Head of Trade Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
John Mitchell, General Manager & SVP, EMEA, S1 Enterprises

• Integrating the physical and financial supply chains
• Impact of the sub-prime crisis on SCF initiatives
• Technology adoption and availability within the region
• Who are better suited for SCF in emerging countries – local or global banks?
• How do standard Middle East supply chain management practices vary from the established model?
• What are the relative roles of specialist third party service providers versus traditional banks?
• How can solutions be developed to support multiple tiers in a supply chain versus the traditional one-tier approach of reverse factoring?

12.20    Industry standards in the supply chain
Digby Bennett, Regional Sales Director, ME Africa and Australia, China Systems

• XML emergence
• ISO20022 and Swift messaging
• Maximise revenue in open account processing
• TSU Release 2 functionality

12.45    Lunch

Risk Mitigation/Insurance   

14.15   Trade facilitation in the MENA region
David Venediger, Managing Director, Coface Emirates Services

14.45    Export credit agency (ECA) panel: underwriting trade and investment to the region
Moderated by Samir Sahu, Head of Transaction Banking, Emirates Bank
Khemais El- Gazzah, Director of Underwriting, Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investments and Export Credits (ICIEC)
Alaa Gouda, General Manager, Export Credit Guarantee Company of Egypt ( EGCE)
Schuyler D'Souza, Chief Commercial Officer, Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates (ECIE)
David Venediger, Country Manager, Coface Middle East

• What is the role of multilateral insurers in the region; what projects do they get involved in; and is it a big part of their global exposure?
• What is the appetite for risk in the region; is it project/ sector specific?
• Which territories are particularly problematic?
• What challenges do agencies face when setting credit limits for local companies looking to expand
• What initiatives are being planned to support future exports within the region?

15.15    Networking break

15.45    Ensuring trade flows in uncertain times
Toby Heppel, Partner, Trade and Political Risks, First City

16.15    Insurance discussion panel: trade credit and risk mitigation
Moderated by Jeremy Shaw, EMEA Global Trade Services Head, JPMorgan
Nila Davda, Senior Executive Officer, Sovereign Risk Insurance (Dubai)
Toby Heppel, Partner, Trade and Political Risks, First City
Karim Nasrallah, Managing Director, The Lebanese Credit Insurer
Shahin Shamsabadi, Associate, MENA Practise, The Risk Advisory Group   

• Credit insurance: availability and practice within the Gulf
• Risk mitigation in the region
• The application of international credit management disciplines in the GCC environment
• Key risks faced by exporters within the Middle East

17.00   Successful dispute resolution and recovery 
Tony George, Partner, Political Risks, Ince & Co

• The contract
• The international treaty
• The insurance policy
• Arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution
• Security, enforcement and recovery

17.30   Trade and investment opportunities in Iraq 
Zaid Mahdi, Vice-President Business Development, Trade Bank of Iraq

18.00 Close of Day One followed by Drinks Reception hosted by Trade Bank of Iraq

Day Two  – Wednesday  25th February

08.15    Registration and coffee

08.50    Chairman’s opening remarks
Maninder Bhandari, Managing Director & Head of Treasury Services Sales, MEA, The Bank of New York Mellon

 Islamic Finance in Trade & Export Finance

09.00    Keynote speech: Islamic financing – a better perspective for high finance?
Hani Salem Sonbol, Deputy CEO,  International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, (ITFC)

09.30  Trade and commodity structured financing: an Islamic perspective
Nabil Abdul-Massih, Portfolio Manager, Ancile Fund, INOKS Capital

10.00  Islamic finance panel: opportunities in the Middle East
Moderated by Dr Abel-Rahman Taha, General Manager, Islamic Corporation of Insurance of Investments and Export Credits
Naveed Ali, Chief of Corporate Banking, Dubai Islamic Bank
Mohammed Shaheed Khan, SVP, Islamic Finance Company
Nabeel Abdul Rahim, Head, HSBC Amanah Commercial Banking

• What is leading Islamic trade finance growth in the GCC region?
• Pricing of Islamic trade finance: how much more should be paid and why?
• What is the development potential for supporting trade to non-Islamic countries?
• What challenges and opportunities lie ahead? 

10.45    Networking break

11.15    Commodities panel: structured commodity financing solutions for the GCC
Moderated by Kamlesh Thakur, Head, Investment Banking and Structured Trade Finance, Crag Martin Financial Solutions
Andrew Howell, Assistant GM, Structured Trade and Commodity Financing, SMBC Europe Ltd
Nabil Abdul-Massih, Portfolio Manager, Ancile Fund, INOKS Capital
Nam Hariharan Sahasra, Managing Director, Falcon Trade Corporation
Suresh Vaidyanathan, CFO, Platinum Corporation         

• Is there more appetite for structured commodity finance solutions due to the current economic conditions?
• Will the volatility continue – the future-stocking vs just in time?
• Which regions are most affected by inflation? And to what extent are richer oil exporting states affected by these fluctuations?
• How much do record commodity prices drive demand for sharia-compliant trade finance in the Middle East? 

12.05 Hanessing the power of multi-banking in trade finance
Claire Buchanan, SVP - Global Operations, Bolero International
Johan Laurelli, Global Channel Manager, Global Transaction Services, SEB Merchant Banking

• Solving complexity and administrative overheads
• Benefits to corporate treasury and operations
• The importance of bank participation
• The risks and rewards for banks
• Reaping the rewards of trade finance collaboration

12.30    Lunch

Middle East: the resurgence of the world’s trading hub  

14.00    Afternoon keynote speech: trading knowledge for growth – how Dubai’s exports are transforming the region
Saed Al Awadi, CEO, Dubai Export Development Corporation

14.30     Bespoke solutions to support the growing number of exports from the Gulf to Africa
Farid Mohammed, Director, Pipal

• Regulatory challenges for cross-border transactions
• Developing supply chain financing for new clients/ territories / sectors
• Dealing with the lack of accessible IT infrastructure
• Impact of the dollar peg and volatile commodity prices on these fragile markets

15.00        Emerging markets panel: Africa & Eastern Europe – the next frontiers
Moderated by Elroy D'Mello, Senior Manager, Trade and Supply Chain, HSBC Bank Middle East
Prashesh Desai, Vice President (International Operations), FRP Services & Company (Middle East)
Surenda Lavti, Executive Director Corporate Affairs, Vinmar International
Kishore Pandey, Asst General Manager (Finance(, Dynatrade Group
Vinod Tellis, Group Commercial Manager, Petroleum Pipe Middle East

• Forging new trade links and supply routes
• Managing without the usual security of a developed trade services infrastructure
• Redefining risk transfer models and mitigation methods
• Obtaining multilateral support: challenges and benefits
   

15.45    Networking break

16.30    Analysis: Impact of global financial crisis on financing world trade
Vincent O'Brien, Member ICC Banking Commission

• Anecdotal evidence
• Integrity of Letters of Credit
• ICC Banking Commission Response
• ICC led study for WTO

16.30    Panel discussion: new trading partners, challenges and benefits of decoupling from the west.
Moderated by Bob Deering, Managing Partner, Ince Al Jallaf & Co
Sreehari Iyer, Director, MENA – Finance, Essar Global
Vincent O'Brien, Member ICC Banking Commission
Sudeb Sabadhikary, CEO, MENA Factors
Farrukh Sidiqqi, VP, Corporate Trade, JPMorgan
KV Srinivasan, CFO, Glass LLC      

• Emphasis on GAFTA partners and  intra -OIC trade (Organization of Islamic Conference)
• Regional trade facilitation reform and infrastructure investment
• Understanding the local financial infrastructure and credit environment in the emerging markets
• Maximising the Middle East’s position in the Africa-Asia trade corridor
• The implications of global slowdown
• Controlling the supply chain from importer to exporter and at all points in between

17.15    Chairman’s concluding remarks and close of conference

Venue

Accommodation

Delegates are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.  Further details about how to book at the conference venue will be sent when you confirm your registration.

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.

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