ATFA conference news

Despite budget cuts, layoffs and swine flu, the Association of Trade and Forfaiting in the Americas’ (“ATFA”) recent conference was a success.

The event, ATFA’s 12th annual conference, was held in San Diego, California between 20th and 22nd May. It was well attended and included a wide range of panel topics from the US Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), Risk Management, Asian Trade, Multilaterals and Commodity Finance in Brazil.

The ATFA Board was delighted with the spirit of the attendees, considering current market difficulties, and equally pleased to see many new faces from, among others, International Risk Consultants (insurance sector), Arab Bank, Morrison Foerster (lawyers), Bunge (agribusiness) and the American Bankers Association.

Paolo Provera, who attended the Conference on behalf of the ITFA Board, complimented the quality of the agenda and the issues discussed. He added, “…the great atmosphere surrounding the Conference was very much an expression of the ATFA President‘s professional approach to the event.”

Looking ahead, ATFA is co-sponsoring a cocktail reception in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 16th June hosted by ITFA’s Brazilian Regional Committee, when all who are able are welcome to attend (see previous ITFA news item for contact details.)