7th Annual India Trade & Export Finance Conference

Event Review

Exporta’s 7th Annual India Trade & Export Finance Conference, hosted in the grand surroundings of the Taj President Hotel in Mumbai, generated lively, interactive and informative discussions on key topical issues essential to the domestic and wider market.

As the Indian economy is now seen as one of the most exciting prospects for exponential growth, the conference was well timed to tackle trade and financing challenges as well as explore opportunities that are quickly becoming the return on investment apex for the global marketplace.

The conference welcomed over 150 delegates, which included some of the leading heads of local and international banks, top tier corporate heads of finance, export credit agencies, lawyers, multilaterals, insurance underwriters and brokers, economic analysts and policy makers. The wide ranging mix of attendees created first class networking opportunities where the delegates were able to make new business contacts, meet old friends and colleagues and network with the highest level of decision maker in attendance.

Widely regarded as the leading event of its kind in India, the unique programme included top rate presentations and panel discussions addressing vital issues, including corporate priorities in liquidity management post-crisis, trade finance appetite and domestic banking capacity, structured working capital finance solutions, the role of credit insurance in trade finance, the continued resurgence of export finance, implications of Basel III, optimising working capital across the supply chain and the rise of multi-bank collaboration.

Having enjoyed great success in the past, this year’s event continued this proud tradition with key sponsors Bank of America Merrill Lynch, FIMBank, India Factoring and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia contributing greatly to the overall success of the event.

The conference also attracted delegates from such illustrious companies as the Essar Group, Tata Chemicals, Tata Steel, Afcons Infrastructure, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Glenmark Generics, Arch Pharmalabs, Balkrishna Industries, Bedmutha Industries, Cosmo Films, Bhilosa Industries, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Jindal Steel and Reliance Industries.

At the end of the day’s packed agenda, delegates were treated to a special drinks reception where they were able to carry on their discussions in a more informal setting. Following another thriving event, Exporta are already planning next year’s event as well as looking forward to many more specialist conferences and events in 2011.

Description

Since Exporta’s successful 2010 event, India’s ascendancy has been very much in the limelight; culminating in the prestigious accolade of hosting the Commonwealth Games. This increased focus, together with the extension of international trade relations with many growth areas, including Africa, China and Australia, means that 2011’s event will be teeming with fascinating discussion and analysis on exciting domestic and global opportunities.

Illuminating the conference with their expertise will be leading industry decision makers from local banks, international financial institutions and specialist operators, who will no doubt bring their unique perspectives and add clarity to India’s vast opportunity-driven market.

The format of the conference enables delegates to gain individual insights from single presentations, engage in robust debate during panel discussions and network with the highest level of decision makers in attendance.

Among the topics to be discussed over the course of the day:
• Has India come out of the crisis stronger and with more confidence?
• Analysing trade finance appetite and domestic banking capacity
• Corporate priorities in liquidity management post-crisis
• Considering structured working capital finance solutions
• India’s growing international trading relationships with key growth areas
• Optimising working capital across the supply chain
•  The role of credit insurance in trade finance
• Export financing and its continued resurgence
• The rapid growth of multi-bank finance collaboration
• What are the implications of Basel III on trade finance?

Who should attend?
• Trade, export and commodity finance heads and directors
• Corporate finance directors, CFOs and treasurers
• Insurance underwriters and brokers
• Export credit agencies
• Multilaterals
• Solution providers
• Lawyers and consultants
• Market analysts and policy advisors
 

As with all Exporta events, strong emphasis is placed on networking. As such, there will be a special evening reception following the event where all delegates can continue the day's discussions and engage in further dialogue in a more informal setting.
 

Event Photos

Brochure

Programme

08.00 Registration and refreshments

08.50 Chairman’s opening remarks
Kuresh Sarjan, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Trade Services, Asia, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

09.00 The rise to prominence: How India has come out of the crisis stronger and with more confidence
Ulrich Bartsch, Senior Economist, Macro, Economic Policy and Poverty, India, World Bank
• Can India fulfil its potential and become the regional economic leader in the coming years?
• Fuelling regional growth: Highlighting the impact of Indian industrialisation on ASEAN export markets
• Can the country’s infrastructure cope with the dramatic upsurge in economic activity?
• Measuring the role of government in encouraging ‘entrepreneurial spirit’

09.30 The role of trade finance in the industrialisation of India
Balaji Swaminathan, Vice Chairman, Corporate & Investment Banking, DSP Merrill Lynch
• To what extent can India’s industrial expansion be attributed to trade finance?
• How structured solutions have enhanced funding options for clients
• Using local knowledge to spearhead product development
• Analysing the future role of trade finance in domestic growth

10.00 Panel discussion: Is the appetite for Indian trade finance likely to exceed expectations?
Moderator: Nirvikar Jain, Vice President, Global Treasury Services, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Pravin Batra, Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)
Raghu Bagalwadi, Head of Trade Finance, IDBI Bank
Ayaan Adam, Financial Markets Manager for India, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Vasant Shanbhag, Head of Trade Finance Marketing, ING Vysya Bank
Rohit Sawheny, Managing Director & Country Head, India, Global Transaction Services, RBS
Suresh Sethi, Group President, Transaction Banking Group, Yes Bank
• Does India have the capacity to build beyond its potential solely through domestic banking institutions?
• Increasing the presence of foreign banks: Assessing business volumes and capacity
• Tracking how domestic banks are taking advantage of the rising demand and diversity of new imports
• How have banks developed tailor-made products to make accessing the Indian market more attractive?
• How banks are defending themselves against the threat of cheaper liquidity from ECAs and similar institutions

11.00 Networking break

11.40 A revolution in traditional trade finance: The rapid growth of multi-bank finance collaboration
Claire Buchanan, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Bolero
• Responding to customer needs: Blending the demands of regional and global corporates with the role of the banks as a catalyst for change
• Vision and concepts are fine, but what about reality?
• End-to-end delivery of trade finance efficiency and visibility: A true cooperation between banks and their customers
• The near future: Leadership in Asia in implementing ePresentation capability and eUCP

12.10 Corporate priorities in liquidity management post-crisis
Moderator: Kamlesh Thakur, Head of Corporate Finance, Salvus Capital Advisors
Partha Bhattacharyya, Group Treasurer, Essar Group
Nam Sahasra, Managing Director, Falcon Trade Corporation
• Is there pressure in the marketplace from US and European clients to adjust to open account trading?
• Does the continued use of LCs run the risk of lower profit margins due to time consuming transaction periods?
• Considering alternative funding channels once domestic banks have reached single borrower exposure limits
• Mitigating risk: Are joint-venture partnerships between private and ECA-funded initiatives the way forward?
• Focus on challenges in diversifying funding sources and securing against currency exchange loss

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Mitigating risks: The role of credit insurance in trade finance
Rohit Pandya, General Manager, Buyer and Country Underwriting Department, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC)
• Credit insurance and other risk reduction tools
• Analysing the philosophy of collaboration between insurers and bankers
• Considering the role of ECA risk mitigation in long-term financing arrangements
• Case study: Credit insurance in trade finance

14.30 Factoring: Analysing structured working capital finance solutions
Sudeb Sarbadhikary, Chief Executive Officer, India Factoring
• Profiling joint-ventures and collaborations in increasing liquidity levels
• Is factoring the ideal way to facilitate growth in SMEs and the market in general?
• Challenging the balance-sheet driven credit standards within local banks
• All for one? Considering available and suitable factoring products

15.00 Optimising working capital across the supply chain
Connie Leung, Director, Payments & Trade Markets, Asia Pacific, Swift
• The return to traditional credit methods such as LCs and the demand for increased transactional speeds
• Do local banks feel pressured by global multinational clients to adjust to open account trading?
• Using SCF to strengthen relationships with suppliers and improving access to new liquidity
• Considering the trading relationship between multinationals and SMEs
• Illustrating the collaboration between banks and corporates to enhance supply chain efficiency

15.30 Networking break

16.00 India-Australia: A new special relationship?
Mark Evans, Global Head of Trade & Supply Chain, ANZ
• Focusing on intra-regional trade and new market access
• Reflections on key bilateral trade routes highlighting India’s rise to prominence
• Analysing Australia as an expanding trade ally to India and the region as a whole
• The importance of deal structuring in providing trade security between regions
• Cementing cross-border ties through purchasing long-term commodity supplies
 
16.30 Panel discussion: Export financing and continued resurgence
Moderator: Kuresh Sarjan, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Trade Services, Asia, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Steven Mulder, Director, Structured Export Finance, Asia, ANZ
Claudia Belli, Head of Export Finance, Asia Pacific Export Finance, BNP Paribas
Paul Gardner, Managing Director & Head, Structured Trade and Export Finance, Deutsche Bank
Josh Clarke, Partner, Watson, Farley & Williams
• Client demand: What trends have emerged in export financing following economic stabilisation?
• Does India risk conceding competitive advantage to regional players as a result of rising commodity prices?
• Have levels of domestic bank lending in India been more pronounced than other domestic markets globally?
• What is the expected impact of Basel III?
• How are exporters adapting to the financial markets turmoil?
• Demand forecast: How are ECAs adapting their programmes to better reflect new trading patterns?

17.30 Closing remarks followed by evening networking reception

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. 

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