ITFA (MERC) Trade Distribution Forum, Dubai

The ITFA Middle East Regional Committee (‘MERC”) is pleased to announce its 6th Annual Trade Finance Forum 2024. The Forum, which will be an in-person event, will be held on Wednesday 18th September, at the DIFC Academy, Dubai, UAE.

Preliminary Agenda

08:45 – 09:15    
Registration
 
09:15 – 09:30   
Keynote speech – Regional Macroeconomic Update
 
09:30 – 10:30    

Panel 1 – GenAI and trade finance digitization: catalyst or hype?
This panel, comprised of experts in both trade finance and AI, will explore themes surrounding the applicability of GenAI in the trade digitization journey.
Specifically, the panel will delve into the ways AI can fulfill its promise of elevating trade finance by creating innovative solutions to streamline the trade finance space. Will trade finance finally catch up to the automation advances made in the broader financial services sector? Has the time finally come for the paradigm shift we have all been waiting for? Join us and find out.

10:30 – 11:00   
Networking break
 
11:00 – 12:00    
Panel 2 – Trade Finance Assets: a new investment alternative for your portfolio
The trade finance gap has surged from $1.7 trillion to $2.5 trillion in less than 3 years. It goes without saying that more needs to be done to churn the heavy wheel of the trade finance industry.  Alternative investors, particularly within the realm of private credit, are slowly becoming key contributors in bridging this financing gap and transforming industry dynamics. This panel will delve into the characteristics that make this asset class attractive, what investors are seeking, and what advances are required to make trade finance more accessible and investable by institutional investors.

REGISTER 

We kindly request your response by no later than Monday 16th September. Registration will be on a first come first served basis, so please register as soon as possible.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Allianz Trade for their generous sponsorship of this event.