Euromoney Trade Finance survey 2012: Trade not getting the credit
Euromoney, is part of the Delinian Group, Delinian Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX, Registered in England & Wales, Company number 00954730
Copyright © Delinian Limited and its affiliated companies 2024
Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement
Surveys

Euromoney Trade Finance survey 2012: Trade not getting the credit

The shadow of economic gloom has fallen over output, while Basle III is playing havoc with the rulebook for funding. Success relies on access to US dollars, and losses will drive up prices – unless the rules can be changed or new players join the market

It is easy to forget about trade finance, what with the eurozone crisis and efforts to simultaneously rein in banks’ excesses while pushing them to lend more occupying the minds of politicians and central bankers worldwide.

Yet the impact of those challenges on this crucial component of the global financial system could be sufficient to undermine efforts to restore economic confidence.

World trade is under pressure. In September, the World Trade Organization downgraded its growth expectations for trade volumes for 2011 to 5.8%, with developed economies’ exports growing by 3.7% and shipments from developing economies increasing by 8.5%.

Downside risks to GDP have intensified in recent months, and where output goes, trade tends to follow. “This is the time to strengthen and preserve the global trading system, so it keeps performing this vital function,” says Pascal Lamy, director-general of the WTO.

The danger is that by focusing on the big picture of the eurozone debt crisis and enhancing the regulation of banks, the goal of strengthening and preserving the global trading system is being overlooked.

Gift this article