A closer look at the trends and issues shaping the market

(Spend Matters Network, 2 November 2016, Chicago) As global trade expands, so does the importance of trade finance. Kapronasia’s new report takes an in-depth look into these issues and analyzes how trade finance is changing in the world’s largest exporting economy. Total trade volume in China was 24.59 trillion RMB ($3.95 trillion) last year, even despite a fall in import and export volumes. This is especially crucial in the world’s largest exporting nation. Trade financing is typically viewed as letters of credit, lending, export credit and insurance, usually offered by traditional banks and export credit and insurance agencies. However, fintech and the internet have been changing the face of trade finance. For instance, Barclay has announced the first trade finance deal using Blockchain-based technology in September this year, which increased efficiency in the process. In addition, more and more international trade in retail is conducted through online marketplaces such as Alibaba and eBay. These new technologies are reducing paperwork and increasing the speed of communication between companies, banks, and other counter parties.