Financing Trade and International Supply Chains ― Commerce Across Borders, Finance Across Frontiers

The vast majority of international trade is supported by some form of trade financing: a specialized, sometimes complex form of financing that is poorly understood even by bankers and seasoned finance and treasury experts. Financing Trade and International Supply Chains takes the mystery out of trade and supply chain finance, providing a practical, straightforward overview of a discipline that is fundamental to the successful conduct of trade: trade that contributes to the creation of economic value, poverty reduction and international development, while increasing prosperity across the globe. The book suggests that every trade or supply chain finance solution, no matter how elaborate, addresses some combination of four elements: facilitation of secure and timely payment, effective mitigation of risk, provision of financing and liquidity, and facilitation of transactional and financial information flow. The book includes observations on the effective use of traditional mechanisms such as Documentary Letters of Credit, as well as an overview of emerging supply chain finance solutions and programs, critical to the financing of strategic suppliers and other members of complex supply chain ecosystems. The important role of export credit agencies and international financial institutions is explored, and innovations such as the Bank Payment Obligation are addressed in detail. Financing Trade and International Supply Chains is a valuable resource for practitioners, business executives, entrepreneurs and others involved in international commerce and trade. This book balances concept with practical insight, and can help protect the financial interests of companies pursuing opportunity in international markets.

Alexander R. Malaket, BA, CITP is President of Canadian consultancy OPUS Advisory Services International Inc., and Managing Director of Trade Finance Associates (Singapore). He has over twenty five years of professional experience in investment, financial services and senior level consulting. Alexander is internationally recognized as a specialist in trade finance, and frequently speaks or chairs panels at leading industry events. He regularly contributes to industry publications, including Trade Finance Magazine, Trade & Export Finance, Global Trade Review, Trade & Forfaiting Review, Financial-i as well as Cash & Trade Magazine. He is a long-time member and serves on the Board of Directors of FITT (The Forum for International Trade Training) in Ottawa, the Toronto Region Board of Trade and World Trade Centre, and a member of the World Trade Centre Winnipeg, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the inaugural Board of Directors. Mr Malaket is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Banking Commission in Paris, where he serves as Technical Advisor, trade finance and as a member of the SWIFT/ICC Industry Education Group on the Bank Payment Obligation.