VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

17th June, 2020

3:00 p.m. CET

This virtual conference will illustrate how blockchain technology will be leading the digital transformation currently in act, showing the benefits blockchain will bring to the world of International trade finance, solving real basic problems, removing friction and pain points.

Event Program (CET/ET)

15:00/09:00am Opening speech

15:05/09:05am Opening Keynote

15:30/09:30am Session 1- Trade Dynamics

Qamar Saleem, Regional Manager Asia & Pacific and Global SME Banking Lead, IFC – International Finance Corporation

Tony Brown, Founder & CEO, The Trade Advisory

15:55/09:55am Keynote

16:20/10:20am Session 2- Blockchain in Trade

Emmanuelle Ganne, Senior Analyst, Economic Research Department, WTO

Gadi Benmoshe, CIO, Israel Ports Company

16:45/10:45am Keynote

17:10/11:10am Session 3- Blockchain to facilitate international trade

Lance Thompson, Head Of Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Grzegorz Tajchman, IT Solutions Manager, Trade for Sustainable Development Programme, International Trade Centre

Conference Highlights

Session 1: Trade dynamics
Blockchain can help transform international trade and International trade finance by making international transactions faster, more efficient and more transparent. Financial institutions are also experimenting with blockchain with the goal to increase access and at the same time reduce considerably the expenses and the time required for easing international trade operations, depending on third-party lending and/or insurance.
Industry leaders and innovators in international trade and supply chain finance will showcase the innovations led by blockchain and the opportunities it offers for expanding International trade opportunities.

Session 2: Blockchain in trade
Blockchain allows for a massive reduction of costs, for instance those related to the release of import and export licenses, by creating and verifying the accuracy of cargo and shipping documents. The session will be held by leaders in the institutions regulating International Trade. They will discuss on how blockchain, under the proper policy environment, will allow reaching for the perfect balance between tradition, experimentation and innovation in international trade.

Session 3: Blockchain to facilitate International trade
When widely adopted, blockchain will discourage trade anonymity and will improve detection and determent of illicit trade flows. Blockchain can also make a positive contribution to expediting customs procedures by making customs declarations much swifter and at the same time reducing their impact on global trade volumes. This session will display how the industry’s main actors are quickly adopting blockchain, with the help of International Trade Organizations, all along the supply chain and will display how it can facilitate the transparent movement of goods across the borders.

Photos & Gallery