CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE – Sean Edwards, ITFA Chairman / SMBC, December 2023

Dear Members and Friends,

As we approach the conclusion of another remarkable year, I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who joined us at our Seminar and Christmas Cocktail Party in London, as well as those who participated in the ITFA Americas year-end event in New York City and our co-hosted event in Zurich with VEFI. These gatherings provided valuable opportunities for networking and reuniting with both old and new acquaintances. For the ITFA Board, these occasions also serve as a means to express our sincere appreciation to our members for your continuous support and enthusiasm.

Reflecting on the year 2023, it is fitting to dub it the “Year of Records” for ITFA. First and foremost, our membership has reached an impressive milestone, boasting nearly 350 members—a significant achievement. Furthermore, our presence on LinkedIn has surged past the ten-thousand mark, marking yet another remarkable record in the digital realm.

The Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi witnessed record-breaking attendance, with nearly 400 participants hailing from over 30 different countries. Notably, the number of conference sponsors more than doubled, reaching an impressive count of 45. This undeniable growth reaffirms the status of our annual event as one of the premier gatherings in our field.

Throughout the year, we organized a staggering 50 events, showcasing our commitment to providing diverse opportunities for engagement and knowledge sharing. Additionally, we proudly launched 11 fresh publications during this time, and I invite you to read about ITFA’s key publications by clicking here.

As I compose this message, our plans for 2024 are already taking shape, promising another year of successful networking and knowledge-sharing events. You can access the 2024 Events Calendar on our ITFA website, and it will be regularly updated to keep you informed » ITFA Events 2024.

Now, let me draw your attention to our flagship annual conference. As previously announced, the 50th ITFA International Trade and Forfaiting Conference will grace the beautiful shores of Cyprus from September 4th to 6th » The 50th Annual International Trade And Forfaiting Conference (itfa.org). I urge you to mark your calendars and save the date for this momentous occasion. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for real-time updates. Our goal is to make the Cyprus conference even more sustainable than our previous one in Abu Dhabi.

In this concluding newsletter for 2023, delve into captivating articles, beginning with Tedd George’s piece on the AFRICA REGIONAL COMMITTEE’s Participation during the GTR AFRICA IN LONDON. Followed by ‘2023 IN REVIEW: ITFA’S TOP FIVE HIGHLIGHTS,’ reflecting on the year’s accomplishments. Learn about Fatenah El Danab’s ambitious plans for the MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL COMMITTEE in an exclusive interview. Explore the collaborative paper by ITFA and IACPM, ‘CREDIT INSURANCE AS A CREDIT RISK MITIGANT TO DIVERSIFY RISK UNDER THE CAPITAL RULES.’ Finally, relive the highlights of the latest ITFA GRC event in the article ‘GERMAN REGIONAL COMMITTEE EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR IN FRANKFURT.’

Regarding membership, we are delighted to announce that two new members joined our association: Habib Bank AG Zurich and LSQ.

We eagerly anticipate your feedback and suggestions, which you can share by emailing me directly, any of the Board Members, or our general email, info@itfa.org.

In closing, on behalf of the ITFA Board, I extend warm wishes for a joyous festive season and a prosperous 2024 ahead. Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community.

Kind regards,

Sean Edwards