Over the past decade, the International Finance Corporation's short-term finance programme has facilitated billions of dollars of trade finance, and the programme's Americas head, Antonio Alves, is confident about its continued success.

After years of neglect, the Iraqi banking sector offers promise once again. Mobile banking, trade finance and infrastructure financing opportunities are proving attractive to existing lenders and the wave of new entrants looking to break into the market. But, before the tide can finally turn, there are regulatory issues that need addressing.

In response to restrictive regulation, trade finance securitisation deals are starting to materialise and, with these deals structured in such a way that they reduce risk weighting, lower leverage and increase liquidity, appetite for them is growing. 

Global trade flows are shifting, with new economies emerging as global forces and trade increasingly occurring intra-regionally. So, just how are payments systems facilitating this change?

As Basel III regulations come into play, banks looking for a quick fix to bulky balance sheets are divesting their trade finance assets, creating a gap in the market that investor groups and other alternative financiers are keen to fill.

With advanced economies still languishing in the doldrums, trade between Asia and Latin America is driving global economic growth, and it appears that this blossoming relationship is mutually beneficial. However, could protectionist policies in Latin America dampen this ardour?

The effects of the European retreat from trade finance in Asia are now apparent as a number of players are stepping in and new trade patterns are taking shape.