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  • Market view: Terminating a contract 12 March 2010

    Reed Smith partner Paul Dillion explains the pitfalls regarding the termination of commodity contracts.

  • US Ex-Im names award winners 12 March 2010

    The Export-Import Bank of the United States has named the winners for its deal of the year, small business exporter of the year and green transaction of the year awards.

  • APA Insurance reinsures ATI 12 March 2010

    APA Insurance has agreed to reinsure the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) allowing it to cover motor and property in Kenya and Uganda against damage.

  • Skye Bank secures trade credit line with Kexim 11 March 2010

    Nigeria’s Skye Bank has signed a trade credit line with the Korean Export-Import Bank boost its trade and import operations.

  • GBF aids agriculture in Peru 11 March 2010

    The IFC and Peru LNG have helped Agricola Viñasol to obtain a GBF loan to diversify its portfolio of agricultural products in local and export markets.

  • China Exim funds Sri Lankan airport 11 March 2010

    Export-Import Bank of China has signed a loan agreement to construct Mattala Airport and the Colombo-Matara Railway in Sri Lanka.

  • EBRD funds Petrolinvest in Kazakhstan 11 March 2010

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a convertible loan to finance the completion of Petrolinvest oil exploration works in Kazakhstan.

  • Al Jaber seeks ECA financing 11 March 2010

    Al Jaber is planning to raise funds through export credit agency facilities and the bond market.

  • Obama addresses US Ex-Im meeting 11 March 2010

    Remarks by President Obama at the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC. Source: www.whitehouse.gov

  • SG signs Faso Coton pre-export financing 11 March 2010

    Société Générale has closed a pre-export financing for Burkina Faso cotton producer Faso Coton.

  • CGI rebrands trade platform 10 March 2010

    CGI Group has rebranded its trade finance platform known as Proponix360 to CGI Trade360.

  • Germany extends export credit refinancing 10 March 2010

    The German government has extended its export credit refinancing aid scheme for long-term export credit for a further six months.

  • Page retires at Erste bank 10 March 2010

    Erste Group Bank’s structured commodity and trade finance head has retired after 15 years at the bank.

  • StanChart teams with China for trade roadshow 10 March 2010

    Standard Chartered Bank has teamed with Chinese officials for a trade delegation to promote renminbi trade settlement in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

  • BCC bemoans UK export finance 10 March 2010

    A British Chambers of Commerce survey finds that UK exporting businesses are still experiencing severe difficulties securing essential export trade finance.

  • JBIC supports Indonesian power 09 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has agreed to finance two separate power projects in Indonesia.

  • US Ex-Im appoints new vice presidents 09 March 2010

    The Export-Import Bank of the United States has named two new senior vice presidents for congressional affairs and small business.

  • Comment: ONS UK Trade Statistics 09 March 2010

    Comment from Iain MacDonald, head of trade product, Barclays and the British Chambers of Commerce following the release of today's ONS UK Trade Statistics.

  • Nyrstar debut borrowing base oversubscribes 09 March 2010

    A debut borrowing base facility for zinc producer Nyrstar has closed “massively” oversubscribed.

  • Obama to address US Ex-Im conference 08 March 2010

    President Obama is confirmed to address US Ex-Im’s annual conference underlining the administration’s commitment to create jobs through exports.

  • BAML names EMEA treasury head 08 March 2010

    Bank of America Merrill Lynch has named a new regional treasury executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

  • Deutsche appoints Germany cash and trade head 08 March 2010

    Deutsche Bank's has appointed a new regional head of trade finance and cash management for Germany.

  • ANZ makes key hires in export finance 08 March 2010

    ANZ has expanded its team and reach in export finance with key hires for both Singapore and London.

  • EDC invests in water fund 08 March 2010

    Canadian ECA, Export Development Canada, is set to invest in XPV Water Fund, a Canadian venture capital fund focused on the water sector.

  • IFC aids African credit reporting 08 March 2010

    The International Finance Corporation has hosted a series of workshops to improve credit reporting in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania.

  • Belgium’s Izola Bank boosts factoring 08 March 2010

    Belgium’s Izola Bank is planning a bond issue this month to increase its factoring business.

  • CAF invests in Peru infrastructure fund 05 March 2010

    The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) has approved a $40 million capital investment in the Peruvian Infrastructure Fund.

  • EDC finances Russia gas tech purchase 05 March 2010

    Export Development Canada is providing a $48 million loan to Russia’s Gazprombank to finance the purchase of equipment to capture and process flared gas.

  • EBRD signs first Armenian local currency loan 05 March 2010

    The EBRD has signed a trade financing to Byblos Bank Armenia, which will include a local currency element, a first for an EBRD financing in Armenia.

  • Standard Bank and OFID partner for trade 05 March 2010

    Standard Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development have today signed an agreement to launch two African trade financing initiatives.

  • Citibank opens financial centre in Dubai 04 March 2010

    Citibank has opened the Jebel Ali Financial Centre, Dubai, to provide business and financial solutions for small and mid-market enterprises.

  • OFID signs credit line for PTA Bank 04 March 2010

    OFID and the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank have signed a one-year renewable line of credit to boost trade in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • EBRD signs Ameriabank trade loan 04 March 2010

    The EBRD has signed a trade loan to Ameriabank for on-lending to Armenian companies under its medium sized co-financing facility (MCFF).

  • ATB signs with Misys 04 March 2010

    Amsterdam Trade Bank has signed a 10-year licence with software firm Misys for its core banking system Misys BankFusion Equation.

  • Oberbank picks SmartStream trade platform 04 March 2010

    Austria’s Oberbank has selected SmartStream Technologies’s TLM Trade Finance to create a single platform for its cross-border and domestic business.

  • Former Ex-Im boss joins renewable energy firm 03 March 2010

    Sapphire Energy has hired former US Export-Import Bank and TARP executive James Lambright to drive its international expansion efforts.

  • DBS hires new global transaction services head 03 March 2010

    DBS has appointed a new group head of global transaction services.

  • MIGA signs MoU with Kexim 03 March 2010

    The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and Korea Exim-bank have signed a MoU to promote FDI into developing countries and support Korean outward investment.

  • APA Insurance reinsures ATI 03 March 2010

    APA Insurance has agreed to reinsure the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) allowing it to cover motor and property in Kenya and Uganda against damage.

  • DLA Piper sets sights on Brazil 03 March 2010

    DLA Piper has signed a cooperation agreement with Brazil’s Campos Mello Advogados, promising “more to come” in Latin America.

  • JP Morgan expands Malaysian treasury services 03 March 2010

    JP Morgan treasury services is set to expand its treasury offering in Malaysia as part of a $1 billion global investment announced in 2008.

  • EMEA industrials head appointed at Citi GTS 02 March 2010

    Citi names veteran transaction banking specialist to head up the industrials sector for corporate clients in EMEA.

  • Xiwang Sugar receives IFC support 02 March 2010

    An IFC loan to China’s Xiwang Sugar holdings will boost both rural employment and further develop sustainable agribusiness.

  • EFIC underwrites car park performance bond 02 March 2010

    Australian export credit agency EFIC is underwriting a performance bond enabling Park Assist to fulfil a contract in Seattle.

  • Citi names APAC bank services head 02 March 2010

    Former trade head for Africa to take over responsibility for Citi’s Bank Services Group in the Asia Pacific region.

  • Multilaterals pump billions into European banks 02 March 2010

    The EBRD, the European Investment Bank Group, and the World Bank under a joint IFI Action Plan have supplied over Eu19 billion to support banks in central and Eastern Europe during 2009.

  • AIEx appoints new president 02 March 2010

    The Australian Institute of Export (AIEx) has appointed a new national president.

  • Export credit agencies ranked 02 March 2010

    The top 38 export credit agencies have been ranked by BExA according to the different products they offer their exporters.

  • Update: Tatneft set to mandate banks for PXF 02 March 2010

    Russian oil producer Tatneft is set to mandate banks this week for a jumbo pre-export financing revolver.

  • ECAs back turbine export to Slovakia 01 March 2010

    US Ex-Im and Hexim have agreed to co-guarantee the sale of a gas turbine generator from GE Energy to a power plant located in Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia.

  • Zurich and KEIC sign MoU 26 February 2010

    Global insurer Zurich’s North America Surety, Credit & Political Risk group has signed a MoU with Korea Export Insurance Corporation (KEIC), Korea’ export insurance agency.

  • Trafigura revolver set for oversubscription 26 February 2010

    Commodities trader Trafigura has attracted a considerable oversubscription on its jumbo revolver but remains weeks away from closing a deal.

  • Banks club for Vitol loan 26 February 2010

    Banks have signed a jumbo club deal for oil trader Vitol.

  • Pakistani engineers call for export insurance 26 February 2010

    Pakistan’s engineering industry has called for a government backed export credit insurance scheme to cover the sector.

  • EFIC funds Footcare’s worldwide expansion 26 February 2010

    Australia’s export credit agency Export Finance and Insurance Corporation is financing manufacturer Footcare International to expand its overseas sales.

  • Banks ink Hermes-covered Tobolsk-Polymer tranche 26 February 2010

    Banks have signed the Euler Hermes-backed tranche of a jumbo project financing to build a 500 tonne polypropylene production complex in Russia.

  • EBRD sells Centerra Gold stake 26 February 2010

    The EBRD has sold its minority stake in Centerra Gold, the Canadian-based gold mining and exploration company, operating primarily in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia.

  • Banobras NIP to be boon for US exporters 25 February 2010

    US Ex-Im and Banobras have signed a memorandum to support up to $1 billion in US exports to back Mexico’s infrastructure development programme.

  • JBIC funds plastics plant in China 25 February 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has agreed a loan with Japan’s Engineering-Plastics Corporation to build a new polycarbonate production facility in China.

  • Tatneft set to mandate banks for PXF 25 February 2010

    Russian oil producer Tatneft is set to mandate banks this week for a jumbo pre-export financing revolver.

  • IFC steps up funding for Pakistan 25 February 2010

    The International Finance Corporation has recorded an 80% rise in the number of trade finance guarantees approved for Pakistan last year compared to 2008.

  • EBRD backs Intesa’s SME lending 25 February 2010

    The EBRD and Intesa Sanpaolo Group have created a financing package for small and medium enterprises in central and Eastern Europe.

  • World trade suffers 65-year record drop 25 February 2010

    World trade has experienced the largest single drop since the Second World War, according to the World Trade Organisation.

  • Unicredit to handle EC SEPA payments 24 February 2010

    The European Commission has charged UniCredit with carrying out a large portion of the Commission's SEPA payments.

  • PFC Global Risk hires Wagner 24 February 2010

    Country Risk Solutions founder Daniel Wagner has joined PFC Global Risk.

  • Mexican national indicted for US Ex-Im fraud 24 February 2010

    A Mexican national has been indicted and arrested in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud US Ex-Im.

  • ADB to open mission in Turkmenistan 24 February 2010

    Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda has announced that ADB will open a resident mission in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.

  • Gazpromneft shocks with PXF pricing 24 February 2010

    Russian oil producer Gazpromneft has mandated SG, Natixis and BTMU for a debut pre-export financing, but the market asks: has pricing gone too low?

  • Ariba hires working capital director 23 February 2010

    Procurement specialist Ariba has appointed Peter Lugli as its senior director, working capital management and business development.

  • Nast joins StanChart transaction banking team 23 February 2010

    Standard Chartered Bank has appointed a new global head of product management for its transaction banking business.

  • Banks sign Telefónica buyer credit 23 February 2010

    Citi and Deutsche Bank have signed a buyer credit for telecoms firm, Telefónica, backed by Swedish export credit agency EKN.

  • Philippine banks join ADB trade programme 23 February 2010

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed the first five Philippine banks to its Trade Finance Facilitation Programme (TFFP).

  • Afreximbank upgrades Zimbabwean mines 23 February 2010

    Africa’s Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has unveiled a financing package for Zimbabwe’s gold and platinum mines.

  • Noble reports record volumes for 2009 23 February 2010

    Commodities trader Noble Group has announced high revenues and record group tonnage volumes for 2009.

  • Nyrstar debut borrowing base to hit target 23 February 2010

    A debut borrowing base facility for zinc producer Nyrstar is proving popular in the syndications market and looks likely to hit its target amount say bankers close to the deal.

  • RBI lowers foreign currency export credit rate 22 February 2010

    The Reserve Bank of India has lowered the foreign currency export credit rate to aid Indian exports.

  • EBRD finances mining services in Mongolia 22 February 2010

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is to provide financing to Leighton Mongolia to offer services for at least two Mongolian projects.

  • US Ex-Im names members for SAAC 22 February 2010

    US Ex-Im has approved ten members to its sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee.

  • BExA launches trade manifesto 22 February 2010

    The British Exporters Association (BExA) has launched a manifesto detailing a list of changes it wishes to see in the way that the UK government supports exports.

  • USTR, Commerce and SBA heads to speak at Ex-Im 22 February 2010

    The heads of the USTR, Department of Commerce and SBA are all scheduled to speak at the US Ex-Im annual conference.

  • UPS lends support to National Export Initiative 19 February 2010

    UPS is to play a crucial role in the NEI, encouraging US SME exporters to take their products to more international markets through a partnership with the US Commercial Service.

  • Garanti Factoring boasts leap in profits 19 February 2010

    Garanti Factoring has reported a 42% increase in earnings over 2009.

  • Russia and Abkhazia enter trade pact 19 February 2010

    Russia’s Vnesheconombank and Abkhazia’s Universal-bank have signed a general agreement of cooperation to promote trade.

  • Faisal Bank reveals trade finance ambitions 19 February 2010

    The new CEO for Swiss Islamic specialist Faisal Private Bank has revealed the bank is actively building a trade finance arm.

  • Bolivian bank joins IFC trade programme 19 February 2010

    Bolivia’s Banco Ganadero has joined the International Financial Corporation’s Global Trade Finance Programme to help expand trade financing for its clients.

  • Bank Asya mandates Islamic trade loan 19 February 2010

    Turkey’s Bank Asya has mandated banks to arrange a syndicated Sharia-compliant dual currency loan to fund its trade finance activities.

  • Citgo Petroleum loan amended 19 February 2010

    PDVSA subsidiary Citgo Petroleum has amended a 2005 dual tranche revolving credit B-loan arranged by bookrunners BNP Paribas and JPMorgan.

  • OECD head to be US Ex-Im meet keynote 19 February 2010

    Angel Gurría, secretary-general of the OECD, will deliver a keynote address at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US Ex-Im) 2010 Annual Conference.

  • PNG LNG to close oversubscribed 19 February 2010

    Papa New Guinea’s ECA-backed record liquefied natural gas project is set to close, oversubscribed, next month.

  • Ecopetrol sets out 2010 financing plan 18 February 2010

    Ecopetrol’s senior management has set out the company’s intentions for 2010 with plans to raise $3.5 billion in financing.

  • JPMorgan opens in Abu Dhabi 18 February 2010

    JPMorgan is the latest bank to open an Abu Dhabi office on the back of the emirate’s increasingly prominent role in finance post-Dubai debt crisis.

  • EBRD funds Serbian gas network 18 February 2010

    Serbia’s state-owned Srbijagas has received an EBRD sovereign loan that will finance the upgrade of its gas transmission network as well as repay its short-term loans.

  • NGC releases vendor payment solution 18 February 2010

    NGC (New Generation Computing) has released its new streamlined vendor payment automation software.

  • ECGC maintains ratings for EU countries 18 February 2010

    The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India is to maintain its credit risk rating for European countries in danger of sovereign defaults.

  • Alliance Bank files for US bankruptcy 18 February 2010

    To protect its debt restructuring plan, Kazakhstan’s Alliance Bank has filed for chapter 15 bankruptcy to prevent US lawsuits.

  • EBRD commits to investment in Kazakhstan 18 February 2010

    The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development has signed a MoU to invest in infrastructure and industrial projects in Kazakhstan.

  • Hermes builds new marketing and distribution division 18 February 2010

    German export credit agency Euler Hermes has created a new market management, marketing, commercial and distribution division.

  • BTMU inks credit agreement for PAMA 18 February 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with BTMU, have signed a buyer's credit agreement for Indonesia’s PT Pamapersada Nusantara.

  • Riordan takes on new role at Zurich 18 February 2010

    Zurich has named Daniel Riordan president of its North America Commercial Specialties unit.

  • JPMorgan acquires RBS Sempra 17 February 2010

    JPMorgan has acquired RBS Sempra Commodities' global assets leaving just the firm’s North American natural gas and power business.

  • ONDD raises premiums for the Baltics 17 February 2010

    Belgian export credit agency ONDD has increased its insurance premiums for Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

  • CEOs of GE and Caterpillar to open US Ex-Im Conference 17 February 2010

    GE CEO Jeff Immelt and Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens are the opening speakers at the US Ex-Im Bank annual conference 2010 on March 11-12 In Washington, D.C.

  • GTLP nears the billion mark 17 February 2010

    As the IFC’s Global Trade Liquidity Programme (GTLP) gets close to disbursing $1 billion, Dickon Harris spoke to German Vegarra, senior manager for global financial markets at the IFC, and Laura Mecagni, senior investment officer.

  • Interview: Jorge Tapia, Santander 17 February 2010

    Jonathan Bell talks with Jorge Tapia, global head of trade, export and commodity finance at Santander, based in Madrid, about the bank’s developments in the trade finance spectrum and its plans for the future.

  • Interview: Olivier Paul, BNP Paribas 17 February 2010

    BNP Paribas has once again topped the Dealogic trade finance league tables completing an impressive $11.9 billion worth of business. Dickon Harris catches up with Olivier Paul, the bank’s global head of export finance.

  • Providing better support for US exports 17 February 2010

    With US government attention focused on expanding exports, the role of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US Ex-Im) has never been more important. Oliver O’Connell reviews how this is changing the export finance market.

  • Trade Finance – February 2010 17 February 2010

    Highlights from the February 2010 print edition of Trade Finance magazine.

  • Unlocking SME growth 16 February 2010

    James Prusky and Robert Klein, principals at Crecera Finance Company, discuss the role of trade finance in unlocking growth in the Latin American SME market.

  • Kexim launches Hidden Champion programme 16 February 2010

    Korea Eximbank is to provide additional funding for a selection of South Korean small and medium enterprises.

  • EDC employees raise thousands for Haiti 16 February 2010

    Export Development Canada employees have raised funds for disaster relief in Haiti with EDC and the Canadian Government matching donations.

  • ATFP increases credit line to Jordan 16 February 2010

    Jordan has signed an extension line of credit agreement to increase a previous loan by the Arab Monetary Fund.

  • A new trade landscape emerges in LatAm 16 February 2010

    Valentino Gallo, Managing Director and Americas Head, Citi, Export and Agency Finance, takes a look at the effects of last year’s dramatic shifts in the financial landscape and the way forward in 2010.

  • ED&F Man revolver oversubscribes 16 February 2010

    London-based commodities broker ED&F Man Holdings has seen its jumbo revolver oversubscribe in syndication.

  • Gazpromneft mulls debut pre-export financing 16 February 2010

    Russian oil producer Gazpromneft has asked for funding proposals from banks last week as it decides whether to mandate a jumbo pre-export financing.

  • Latin America leads the way in the GTFP 16 February 2010

    Market comment: Antonio Alves, senior regional head of trade finance, Latin America and Caribbean region, IFC.

  • Mexico: A regional trade finance lynchpin 16 February 2010

    Alexander R.Malaket explores the state of trade and trade finance in Mexico at a time when the country’s two Nafta partners are each dealing in their own way with the consequences of the crisis.

  • AfDB signs credit line for Zambia 15 February 2010

    The African Development Bank Group has signed a line of credit with Zambia National Commercial Bank.

  • Brunei offers export finance for SMEs 15 February 2010

    The Brunei Government will launch a financing scheme to help fund local small and medium enterprises expand into export markets.

  • India Exim inks Mali credit line 15 February 2010

    The Export-Import Bank of India has signed two separate lines of credit with the government of Mali to finance Indian exporters contributing to energy and agricultural products in Mali.

  • ICC announces Paris URDG seminar 15 February 2010

    For the first time since the adoption of the revised ICC Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG), members of the drafting group will give a full public presentation on the new rules at a special seminar to be held in Paris on 18 March.

  • Nexim receives ECOWAS credit line 15 February 2010

    The Economic Community of West African States has signed a credit line to the Nigerian Export Import Bank.

  • IFC pledges billions for Africa 12 February 2010

    The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation has promised to invest $2 billion in Africa by June 2010.

  • India Exim agrees line of credit for Mauritania 12 February 2010

    Indian export credit agency, India Exim, has extended a line of credit to Mauritania to finance potable water and agricultural development projects.

  • Hong Kong firms to issue renminbi bonds 12 February 2010

    Companies based in Hong Kong can now issue renminbi bonds under new guidelines announced by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

  • Augusta uses streaming deal to part fund copper mine 12 February 2010

    Vancouver’s Augusta Resource Corporation has signed a gold and silver streaming deal with Silver Wheaton Corporation to help fund its Rosemont Copper Project.

  • Australia opens to Islamic finance 12 February 2010

    Australia’s Westpac is set to unveil a commodities-based Islamic finance product.

  • Talviraara’s zinc off-take deal repays project debt 12 February 2010

    Talviraara’s zinc off-take deal repays project debt, a Finnish junior miner, has used a zinc streaming deal- the largest to date for zinc - to repay its project finance debt.

  • Kexim leads UAE nuclear project 11 February 2010

    Kexim is to devise a financing package for a large-scale nuclear reactor project in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Pakistan and Afghanistan to benefit from increased IFC investment 11 February 2010

    IFC intends to dramatically increase its exposure to Pakistan and Afghanistan through the Global Trade Finance Programme and additional investment.

  • Report calls for ECGD to ape other ECAs 11 February 2010

    A UK state business advisory committee has called for the UK export credit agency ECGD to adopt similar products to other European export credit agencies to help UK exporters weather the crisis.

  • Citi names Asia head of treasury and trade 11 February 2010

    Citi Global Transaction Services has named Sridhar Kanthadai as managing director, regional head of treasury and trade solutions for Asia Pacific and Japan.

  • Grandage joins Norton Rose as partner 11 February 2010

    Norton Rose LLP today announced that Nick Grandage is to join its banking practice in London as a structured trade and commodity finance partner.

  • Calyon arranges Czech Republic aircraft loan 10 February 2010

    Calyon has arranged a US Ex-Im backed financing for the Czech Republic’s Travel Service Airline.

  • DAE prices latest US Ex-Im aircraft bond 10 February 2010

    Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is the latest organisation to price a US Ex-Im bond for the purchase of aircraft.

  • EDC appoints Weber to Environmental Finance Chair 10 February 2010

    Export Development Canada has announced the appointment of Dr. Olaf Weber as the first EDC Chair at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development.

  • EC authorises EKN put option 09 February 2010

    The European Commission has authorised a new ‘take out’ option offered by Danish export credit agency EKF.

  • EBRD and EFSE support MSEs in Moldova 09 February 2010

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Fund for Southeast Europe have provided a loan to support micro and small enterprises in Moldova.

  • IFC to finance Pakistan and Afghanistan infra projects 09 February 2010

    The International Finance Corporation has announced the target amount it intends to fund infra projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

  • US Ex-Im inks loan for Israel’s hydrocracker 09 February 2010

    Israel’s Oil Refineries (ORL) has secured a financing framework to build a hydrocracker project- described as Israel’s “largest investment plan this year”.

  • Comment: ONS UK trade statistics (Dec 09) 09 February 2010

    There are signs that exporters are adapting to the new economic realities, but dark clouds in Southern Europe could affect export growth.

  • Resourcehouse secures jumbo China export contract 09 February 2010

    Iron ore and coal company Resourcehouse has secured Australia’s largest export contract - 20-year sales agreement with China Power International Development.

  • EBRD declares new strategy for Kazakhstan 08 February 2010

    The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development has announced a new strategy to support Kazakhstan, which does not involve either Alliance Bank or BTA Bank.

  • Bain Capital invests in The Receivables Exchange 08 February 2010

    A group of investors led by Bain Capital Ventures has completed a third round of investment for The Receivables Exchange, the online marketplace for the trading of accounts receivables.

  • Park Designs secures trade finance deal 08 February 2010

    Davenham has agreed to a trade finance and invoice finance facility on behalf of Park Designs to provide additional working capital.

  • James Caan uses invoice finance to fund DRC acquisition 08 February 2010

    Venture Structured Finance has provided a receivables finance package, combined with a cash flow term loan, to fund James Caan’s acquisition of medical recruitment specialist DRC Group through a BIMBO deal.

  • CHC Helicopter increases securitisation 08 February 2010

    Finacity Corporation, together with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, has facilitated a European trade receivables securitisation for CHC Helicopter.

  • Market predicts Ghana Cocobod price drop 08 February 2010

    Pricing for Ghana Cocobod’s annual pre-export financing looks likely to drop by at least 100 basis points according to a poll conducted by Trade Finance Magazine.

  • EDC provides loan to Chilean mine 05 February 2010

    Canadian export credit agency, EDC, has provided a loan to Chilean mining company Minera Los Pelambres.

  • IFC to hold Frankfurt SME meeting 05 February 2010

    IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and DEG, are hosting a G20 small and medium-sized enterprises finance meeting next week in Frankfurt, Germany.

  • Bibby finances scales importer 05 February 2010

    Bibby Financial Services, has provided a factoring facility to support a Canadian company that imports precision scales and weighing instruments from China.

  • VTB signs Belarusbank trade deal 05 February 2010

    Intesa Sanpaolo and VTB Capital have signed a trade-realted loan to Belarusbank.

  • Falcon expands in Europe 04 February 2010

    Falcon Trade Corporation has appointed a new head of UK and European sales.

  • Aon Risk Services hires new CEO of Asia 04 February 2010

    Aon Risk Services has hired a new chief executive officer of Asia Aon Risk Services.

  • Banks continue trade and cash consolidation 04 February 2010

    A survey by Misys reveals banks are consolidating their transaction and payment services within trade finance.

  • Iraqi bankers begin trade finance training 04 February 2010

    The International Finance Corporation has held its first trade finance training seminar for Iraqi bankers in Beirut, Lebanon.

  • GTLP plans to launch food trade fund 04 February 2010

    The IFC’s Global Trade Liquidity Programme is set to launch a $1 billion agri-trade fund.

  • Top role for US Ex-Im in Export Initiative 04 February 2010

    Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has announced that US Ex-Im is to play a vital role in President Obama’s National Export Initiative - details.

  • US National Exports Initiative announcement 04 February 2010

    Full text of the Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's announcement of the details of the National Exports Initiative.

  • VEB to create Russian ECA 03 February 2010

    Vneshekonombank will set up an export credit agency within four years according to the bank’s CEO Vladimir Dmitriev.

  • Banks launch Trafigura revolver 03 February 2010

    Banks have launched a revolving credit facility for commodities trader Trafigura.

  • Abu Dhabi planning export agency 03 February 2010

    Abu Dhabi plans to create an export development agency in the third quarter of 2010 to boost its non-oil exports.

  • Comerica selects CGI for trade and supply chain 03 February 2010

    Comerica Bank selects CGI for global trade and supply chain services processing.

  • World Bank President Zoellick’s speech at African Union Summit 03 February 2010

    World Bank President Robert Zoellick described a range of trade and development initiatives that the bank has planned for Africa in a speech given at the African Union Summit held 31 January 2010 in Addis Ababa.

  • EDIF joins US Ex-Im to boost Florida exports 02 February 2010

    The Economic Development Investment Fund has joined the Export-Import Bank of the United States to increase support for Floridian exporters.

  • ITA budget request ups export promotion 02 February 2010

    The US 2011 budget request for the International Trade Administration is its largest ever and includes additional funds to support export promotion.

  • Drum expands CIS team 02 February 2010

    Drum Risk Management has hired a business development manager to boost its services in the CIS.

  • Nedbank hires commodities specialist 02 February 2010

    Nedbank Capital has hired a specialist advisor to grow its European and African commodities business.

  • Helaba opts for TLM Trade Finance 02 February 2010

    Germany’s Helaba Group has selected TLM Trade Finance to automate its letters of credit and guarantees business.

  • Bashneft and Gazpromneft debate pre-exports 02 February 2010

    Russian oil producers Bashneft and Gazpromneft are deciding between pre-export financings or bond issues as they approach bankers for new loans.

  • BNPP closes amended Mercuria revolver 02 February 2010

    BNP Paribas has closed an amended one-year revolver for energy trader Mercuria.

  • Singapore considers creating ECA 01 February 2010

    The Singapore Economic Strategies Committee has recommended creating an export credit agency to help domestic firms expand abroad.

  • Armenian SMEs receive EBRD support 01 February 2010

    The EBRD has issued a trade finance loan to ArmSwissBank to benefit small and medium enterprises in Armenia.

  • GCO acquires stake in Atradius 01 February 2010

    Grupo Catalana Occidente and INOC.SA have entered into an agreement to acquire Swiss Re, Deutsche Bank and Sal Oppenheim’s stakes in private credit insurer Atradius.

  • Partnership Finance signs up for Surecomp solution 01 February 2010

    Partnership Finance signs up for Surecomp’s allFAC receivables management solution.

  • Deutsche Bank opens in Abu Dhabi 01 February 2010

    Deutsche Bank expands its UAE presence with a branch in Abu Dhabi that will initially focus on trade finance and global transaction banking.

  • Yamaha Motor Canada signs exclusive floorplan deal 01 February 2010

    GE Capital is now the exclusive provider of financing for Yamaha Motor Canada’s dealer inventory finance programme.

  • JBIC inks CAF trade finance loan 01 February 2010

    Under the government of Japan’s Trade Finance Initiative, JBIC has signed its first loan to CAF to directly support trade finance.

Poll

Gazpromneft stunned the market this week when it was revealed pricing for their five-year $1 billion pre-export financing was rumoured to be just above 300 basis points over Libor. Is the deal likely to be a syndication success?

Yes - this seems like a sensible pricing benchmark, why not?
9%
No - are you crazy? These prices are ridiculous. What were these banks thinking?
27%
Yes - but for all the wrong reasons. A lack of other deals in the market, and the promise of future business with Gazpromneft will make it hard to ignore but don’t expect many to take up big tickets with this deal. There are much better deals out there.
64%

Quote

Until credit sanctioners can escape from their investment grade comfort zone, they’ll never enable the full potential of an STCF approach to be felt.

Aidan Applegarth, independent banking consultant - Commodity banks bounce back, December 2009