Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG. Governments across Europe face a hard balance between public health and economic activity as they combat a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Global trade is recovering more quickly than after the 2008 global financial crisis. According to the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, in July global trade had recovered to 95% of January levels, with export growth across all major global regions.
WTO – World merchandise trade fell 14% in volume, 21% in value in Q2 amid global lockdown
Global merchandise trade volumes declined by 14.3% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the previous period as COVID19 containment measures affected economies around the world. The latest trade contraction is sharper than the 10.2% drop recorded during the financial crisis between the third quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009. Read more →
SWIFT pilots new service for low value cross-border payments
SWIFT announces plans for a new service to help banks improve the experience for SMEs and consumers who send low-value payments across borders. The service will enable these bank customers to make faster, easier, predictable, and competitively priced payments all around the world. Read more →
Expert panel on UK Trade Negotiations
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is convening five leading economic and trade experts in order to advise on how we develop and use cutting-edge new trade models and techniques. This is part of the Department’s efforts to maximise the benefits of free trade deals and enhance the UK’s trade negotiating ability. Read more →
Deutsche Bank and ACT release comprehensive guide for treasurers
The Association of Corporate Treasurers, in partnership with Deutsche Bank, has announced the release of “The Group Treasurer: An ACT guide to the first 100 days”, which provides valuable insights on the role of the treasury function, as well as a valuable refresher on the latest developments for treasury professionals. Read more →
Afreximbank provides $100m overdraft facility for African states to facilitate online procurement of COVID-19 supplies
Afreximbank announces $100 million financing to enable its Member States to procure COVID19 related medical resources through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform. This facility quickens access to critical COVID-19 containment and therapeutic supplies by bridging short term funding gaps that African states may be experiencing. Read more →
ING advises AIB on their first green bond issuance
ING announced that it has acted as sole structuring advisor and joint bookrunner for AIB Group plc, as the Irish bank launches its first green bond. With the help of ING, AIB set up its Green Bond Framework in September 2019, and since then engaged with ESG investors across Europe on both the framework and the wider AIB Sustainability strategy. Read more →
Natixis Chief Economist Insights – How well are Asian markets faring?
Asian economies, helped by friendly regulatory regimes and bullish investment in technology platforms, have often led the way globally when it comes to buoyant trade growth forecasts. However, the blow dealt by the Covid-19 pandemic risks many previously booming economies entering a recession. Read more →
TDB donates half a million Dollars to Covid-19 response in Africa
TDB is donating US$500,000 to support the COVID-19 response across Africa by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The donation is being made to the African Union through the COVID-19 Response Fund as part of TBD’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Programme (CERP). Read more →
