China’s recently declared support for globalisation has given fresh hope to Latin America, which could benefit from its established trade links with the eastern giant in the form of greater investment in infrastructure, lower tariffs and higher value exports. Silvia Pavoni reports.

The way goods and services are traded internationally is changing, fuelled by the globalisation and digitalisation of supply and distribution chains. Are free-trade deals still fit for purpose in a hyperconnected world? Joy Macknight investigates. 

Asset managers are showing greater interest in providing much-needed financial support for global trade, as greater digitisation opens up the market to these new players. Joy Macknight reports. 

Trade finance is emerging as a key part of the Latin American banking business model and is bound to be a hot topic on the agenda at this year's Felaban annual meeting being held in Colombia in November. Ahead of this, The Banker speaks to experts about the challenges and opportunities that this growing business line is creating in the Latin American market.

With heavy state involvement and the occasional scandal, China’s trade finance sector may not be perfect. But significant change is under way as government policies facilitate growth and diversification in the country’s industry and financial sector. 

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.