TFG Weekly Trade Briefing, 21st August 2023

Navigating the Sustainability Commitment Paradox: A roadmap for corporate treasurers

By: Michael Spiegel - Although there is widespread support for #ESG initiatives and a large proportion willing to prioritise positive environmental and social impacts over financial returns, Standard Chartered ’s research reveals that many companies still haven’t made concrete #sustainability commitments or set targets.?Read more →

Part 1: Container Deposits – Unloading the hidden challenges of the shipping industry

By: Morgan Lépinoy - Even at its most basic form, international #shipping can be a complex topic. The world runs on global trade, specifically maritime shipping. Yet many of the processes are still quite inefficient, and can be a hindrance for operations, especially for #SMEs.?Read more →

Part 2: East African trade growth – Can container guarantees unlock the idle $1.5bn trade finance gap?

By: Morgan Lépinoy In part 1 of this interview, Morgan Lépinoy, Managing Director of VIATRANS broke down how container deposits are creating deep structural issues for the shipping and logistics industry in Africa, and what Viatrans is doing to help mitigate these challenges.??Read more →

Breaking: ICC and Swift release first API standards for guarantees and standby letters of credit

International Chamber of Commerce and Swift , the global leader in secure financial messaging services, have unveiled the first application programming interface (API) industry standards for bank #guarantees and standby letters of credit.?Read more →

India and UAE settle first crude oil in rupees

Last Monday, the Indian government announced that India and the United Arab Emirates have begun conducting bilateral #trade using their respective local currencies.?Read more →

UK government announces sustainability program to help SMEs with the green transition

Last week, 14th August, the UK government unveiled a new “one-stop shop” aimed at assisting small businesses in their efforts to lower carbon emissions.?Read more →

Economic Development in Africa Report 2023: Africa’s emergence as a global supply chain force

African economies hold the potential to play significant roles in global supply chains, leveraging their abundant resources, which are indispensable to high-tech sectors, coupled with their expanding consumer markets, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ) in their Economic Development in Africa Report 2023.?Read more →

US imposes duties on Canadian, German and Chinese steel

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Thursday its intention to apply preliminary anti-dumping duties to tin-plated steel imports from Canada, Germany, and China. This decision excluded five nations, bringing a sigh of relief to food can manufacturers who had been anxious about potential higher tariffs.?Read more →