Quo Vadis? IfTI returns for the Global Trade Symposium 2024

Are we standing in the doorway of a new era for global trade? At present uncertainty is the only given. Elections stand on the horizon around the world – including a seismic US presidential race that could turbocharge a new era of protectionism.

In the short-term geopolitical tensions are elevating risks for everyone in the market. This could translate into greater fragmentation as countries splinter into groups defined by ‘friendshoring’ strategies. Supply chains are already being rerouted to meet new political demands – the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is one example, another is the efforts made by western countries to reduce their reliance on China for mineral imports.

In April the Berne Union met in Oslo for its Spring meetings to discuss developments in trade amid those rising tensions. The opportunities are clear - in 2023 BU members provided more than $3 trillion in new support for cross-border trade, with the energy transition cited as the number one driver for dealmaking.

At the same time, sovereign defaults, corporate insolvencies and armed conflict drove up claims in 2023. Trade is a powerful tool for boosting growth but in a high interest rate environment characterised by increased costs, the process of financing trade has become perilous.

As the industry faces up to major challenges, opportunities to share knowledge and exchange ideas become all the more valuable.

The Institute for Trade and Innovation (IfTI) is heading to Switzerland in 2024 for its Global Symposium, bringing together experts in trade to discuss the latest challenges and developments. In September the University of St Gallen will play host to policymakers, financiers and exporters for two days of debate.

This year the speaker list includes executives from some of the most active ECAs in the market including SERV, EDC, Euler Hermes, US Exim, UKEF, KUKE and NEXI as well as representatives from the OECD, the WTO and the Berne Union.

The conference arrives during a period of flux for global trade. However, isolation is not inevitable and the topics for discussion include ways to promote cooperation and open trade in a more hostile geopolitical environment. Public-private collaboration, digitalisation and innovation feature prominently across the agenda. Expect to see debate around some of the latest developments in the ECA product suite including untied lending and flexible export-import strategies.

Find out more and register online through this link.

TXF is delighted to be partnered with IfTI as the official media partner for the event. Check out these interviews from previous editions of the IfTI Global Symposium: 

• IfTI: EMERGE - supporting gender equality
• IfTI: EKF winds up support for transition
• IfTI: Solving the global funding jigsaw with Invest International
• IfTI: Business Finland on growth acceleration