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North Asia & China

  • July

    CA CIB and Sinosure enhance ties 29 July 2010

    Credit Agricole CIB and Sinosure have signed a comprehensive business cooperation agreement to further develop support for their clients.

  • 5th Annual Hong Kong Awards Dinner - photos 28 July 2010

    Photos from Trade Finance Magazine’s 5th Annual Asia Awards Dinner held in Hong Kong.

  • PEFCO and US Ex-Im seal turbine exports 26 July 2010

    A loan from PEFCO with a US Ex-Im guarantee is maintaining US jobs through the export of Siemens turbines to Korea.

  • Asia leads the recovery of trade 21 July 2010

    Roger Packham at Deutsche Bank assesses the trade climate in Asia and compares how the Asian markets have fared in comparison to the rest of the world.

  • Outstanding idea: Outsourcing trade 21 July 2010

    The right financial partner can provide a complete trade receivables management solution. By Sanjay Tandon, Managing Director, Asia Head Trade Services Global Transaction Services, Citi

  • Ivanhoe appoints MLAs for Oyu Tolgoi 20 July 2010

    Ivanhoe Mines has appointed a core lender group of five financial institutions that will lead the arrangement of its Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mining complex debt package in Mongolia.

  • South Korea promotes free trade agreements 19 July 2010

    The South Korean government plans to simplify rules and build infrastructure to help domestic companies better capitalise on free trade agreements.

  • China to invest in Argentina railways 14 July 2010

    China is to invest $10 billion in Argentina’s railways in a major win for Chinese exporters, as part of a spate of agreements signed between the two nations.

  • ADB and BoC join forces for regional trade finance 13 July 2010

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bank of China (BoC) have agreed to cooperate in a number of areas including regional trade finance.

  • HSBC picks new Taiwan CEO 13 July 2010

    HSBC has picked its previous treasury head John Li to be its chief executive officer in Taiwan.

  • Norton Rose adds to Hong Kong trade team 12 July 2010

    Norton Rose has relocated a banking partner specialising in Islamic and structured trade finance to its Hong Kong office.

  • HSBC settles first UK renminbi deal 12 July 2010

    HSBC has completed its first UK cross-border renminbi (RMB) trade settlement transaction for the UK hand and garden tool business Neill Tools Limited.

  • Noble looks to increase and extend trade revolver 12 July 2010

    MLAs appointed as Noble Group seeks to extend the size and maturity of its existing trade revolver.

  • HSBC releases online renminbi banking service 09 July 2010

    HSBC has launched a renminbi internet banking services for commercial banking customers from 12 July 2010.

  • UK government urges firms to export to Asia 08 July 2010

    UK firms need to exploit export opportunities in Asia says UK Secretary of State Vincent Cable.

  • EBRD funds coal washing plant in Mongolia 06 July 2010

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has signed a loan for the construction of the first coal washing plant in Mongolia, its largest investment in Mongolia to date.

  • SG signs trade deal for Chinese aluminium smelter 06 July 2010

    SG has closed a trade deal for China’s Henan HongKong Longquan Aluminium.

  • JP Morgan to roll out RMB clearing globally 01 July 2010

    JP Morgan is now providing RMB Nostro accounts and clearing services globally to support clients’ cross border trade finance and clearing needs with China.

  • June

    Taiwan and China sign historic trade agreement 29 June 2010

    Taiwan and China have signed an economic co-operation framework agreement which will remove tariffs on hundreds of products to boost bilateral trade.

  • StanChart and AgBank sign trade MoU 29 June 2010

    Standard Chartered Bank and Agricultural Bank of China have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase intra-Asia and Asia-Africa trade corridors.

  • BNY Mellon receives Beijing banking licence 29 June 2010

    BNY Mellon been authorised by the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) to set up a banking branch in Beijing.

  • DBS expands GTS in Asia 25 June 2010

    DBS Bank has made several senior appointments in its global transaction services team.

  • China expands RMB trade settlement 24 June 2010

    China is set to expand its pilot renminbi trade settlement scheme to 20 provinces and cities across mainland China.

  • StanChart launches renminbi trade road show 22 June 2010

    Standard Chartered Bank, together with Chinese state officials have launched a reminbi trade settlement road show in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan.

  • Wells Fargo hires international group head 21 June 2010

    Wells Fargo & Company has named the new head of its international group.

  • Gunvor likely to take oversubscription 21 June 2010

    Energy trader Gunvor International has scored a syndication success and is expected to take the full amount of its oversubscribed trade revolver.

  • EKN aims at Asia growth 18 June 2010

    Swedish state insurer EKN sees opportunities in Asia as it relaxes restrictions for Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

  • StanChart appoints commodity traders China head 18 June 2010

    Standard Chartered has made a key hire and appointed a new head of its commodity traders China team.

  • Kexim increases credit line for Uralsib 11 June 2010

    The Export-Import Bank of Korea will increase its credit limit for Russian financial service provider Uralsib.

  • Uh-oh, China slows 10 June 2010

    Commentary from Peter Hall, vice president and chief economist, Export Development Canada (EDC).

  • JBIC and Maybank agree ASEAN financing strategy 08 June 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a Letter of Intent with Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) and its group banks to secure effective financing in the ASEAN region.

  • Petropavlovsk and ICBC discussions progress 08 June 2010

    London-listed Russian miner Petropavlovsk’s discussions with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to fund its Kimkano-Sutarskiy iron ore mining operation are progressing well.

  • Citi expands small business offering in China 08 June 2010

    Citi is the first bank in China to introduce an integrated relationship model for small business owners including an express trade facility.

  • NAB hires for Asia trade expansion 08 June 2010

    National Australia Bank has hired four new people in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo to expand its trade finance presence in Asia.

  • Rabobank and AgBank enter partnership 07 June 2010

    Dutch agricultural bank Rabobank has agreed a strategic partnership with state-owned rural lender Agricultural Bank of China.

  • HSBC hires Taiwan head of trade and supply chain 07 June 2010

    HSBC has promoted one of its bankers to head of trade and supply chain in Taiwan.

  • Noble discusses trade revolver 07 June 2010

    Banks are getting ready to launch a one-year refinancing on behalf of commodities trader Noble Group.

  • HSBC adds to Asia trade and supply chain 02 June 2010

    HSBC adds to its Asia trade and supply chain business development team reflecting the overall growth of this line of business.

  • JBIC and Egyptian government sign MoU 01 June 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the government of the Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen economic relations.

  • DBS Group expands transaction banking team 01 June 2010

    DBS Group plans to add 25-30 people to its Asian transaction services business this year to expand its footprint in the region.

  • Copper Mountain project debt signs 01 June 2010

    JBIC and Nexi included in project finance debt for British Columbia’s Copper Mountain Mining project.

  • May

    Sinosure to enhance short-term guarantees 27 May 2010

    Chinese state-owned export and credit insurer Sinosure has plans to enhance its short-term export and credit insurance capabilities.

  • CADFund and Jidong to build SA cement plant 25 May 2010

    China-Africa Development Fund and China’s Jidong Development Group have announced a joint venture to build a cement manufacturing plant in Limpopo province, South Africa.

  • Ivanhoe shops for mine financing 24 May 2010

    Ivanhoe Mines has signed a mandate letter with IFIs and is selecting lead arrangers for a major financing package for the construction of a mining complex in southern Mongolia.

  • Building a more resilient economy 20 May 2010

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has held its 43rd Annual Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at which the role of trade, infrastructure development and cooperation in post-crisis Asia were cited as vital to building a more resilient economy.

  • The how and the why of renminbi trade finance 19 May 2010

    Oliver O’Connell examines the potential for renminbi trade settlement to usher in a new phase in global trade, and what the advantages are for China’s trading partners.

  • US export initiative on track ahead of China meeting 18 May 2010

    US exports rose 16.7% in 1Q demonstrating progress towards the President’s National Exports Initiative goal of doubling exports in five years.

  • EBRD AGM: EBRD signs trade MoU with Kotra 17 May 2010

    The EBRD and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency have signed a trade agreement.

  • JP Morgan offers RMB trade from China 11 May 2010

    JP Morgan is now offering RMB trade settlement services from mainland China, mitigating foreign exchange risk and streamlining payments.

  • JBIC and ADM sign GREEN MoU 06 May 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Asian Development Bank to finance projects aimed at preserving the global environment.

  • Sinosure sees strong export credit growth 03 May 2010

    Sinosure has reported strong growth in export credit insurance for the first quarter of the year.

  • April

    Glencore pushes past $9 billion 29 April 2010

    Commodities trader Glencore has already secured more than $9 billion in commitments through general syndication for its revolving credit facility.

  • Deutsche expands Asian STEF team 22 April 2010

    Deutsche Bank has appointed two new members to its structured trade and export finance team in Asia.

  • Supplier Finance growth in the SME markets 21 April 2010

    By Matthew Frohling, Global Product Manager, Supplier Finance, Global Transaction Services, Citi. The trend is toward supporting small and mid-sized suppliers who don’t necessarily ship their goods across oceans.

  • ADB signs Chinese biogas loan 20 April 2010

    Asian Development Bank has signed a loan for the People’s Republic of China to construct biogas plants and expand the use of biogas energy generated from waste materials.

  • BRIC ink MoC for development banks 19 April 2010

    Brazil, Russia, India and China’s development banks have signed a memorandum of cooperation to enhance trade and economic relations between BRIC countries.

  • Ash delays ICC Beijing meeting 19 April 2010

    The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has postponed its Banking Commission Spring meeting, due to take place in Beijing on 21-23 April, as volcanic ash continues to cause travel disruptions across Europe.

  • Korean Air mandates for ECA finance 15 April 2010

    Korean Airlines has mandated banks for two separate export credit agency-backed deals.

  • ADB and ASEAN approve credit guarantee facility 14 April 2010

    The Asian Development Bank and ASEAN nations, with China, Japan and Korea have approved the establishment of the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility.

  • Sinofactor joins IFG 12 April 2010

    Chinese factoring firm Sinofactor has joined international factoring association International factors Group.

  • JBIC looks to develop ASEAN trade 07 April 2010

    JBIC has signed a loan and memorandum of understanding with CIMB as part of a wider strategy in developing trade with ASEAN.

  • Mizuho cofinances Tata NYK ship deal 05 April 2010

    Mizuho is cofinancing a buyer credit for Singapore’s Tata NYK for the purchase of a bulk carrier from Sumitomo Corporation.

  • March

    JBIC pens Indonesian telecom deal 30 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a buyer's credit agreement with PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia to finance a high-capacity submarine optic-fibre cable system.

  • Nexi backs J. Lauritzen shipping purchase 26 March 2010

    Société Générale and BTMU have closed a buyer credit loan, backed by Japan’s Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, on behalf of J. Lauritzen to buy six bulk carriers built by Japanese shipyards.

  • ICICI Bank receives JBIC trade loan 25 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan agreement with ICICI Bank in India to support its trade finance.

  • CDB signs credit line for VEB 25 March 2010

    China Development Bank has signed a credit line to Russian state-owned Vnesheconombank to finance investment projects implemented within Russia.

  • Interview: Paul Richards, ANZ 25 March 2010

    Jonathan Bell talks with Paul Richards, global head of structured export finance at ANZ, based in Sydney, about the bank’s recent hirings, expansion of activity in Asia-Pacific and views on trends in trade flows.

  • Mongolian banks join ADB trade programme 25 March 2010

    Four Mongolian banks have joined the Asian Development Bank’s Trade Finance Facilitation Programme.

  • IADB strengthens China partnership 24 March 2010

    The Inter-American Development Bank is strengthening its partnership with China a year on from the country signing up for membership of the bank.

  • JBIC signs Turkmeni plant loan 24 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan with the government of Turkmenistan for the construction of the country's largest ammonia and urea fertilizer production plant.

  • JBIC backs Korean shipping deal 23 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan agreement with the Korea Development Bank for the purchase of two Japan-built carriers by South Korea Shipping.

  • China open to currency discussion 22 March 2010

    People’s Bank of China governor says China is open to talks on currency values, but like the US it too must create jobs through exports.

  • CA CIB opens Shanghai commodity finance unit 18 March 2010

    Credit Agricole CIB has opened a new transactional commodity finance business platform in Shanghai.

  • JBIC inks Saudi petro tube loan 18 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan with Kubota Saudi Arabia Company to build a petrochemical reactor tube manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

  • Pemex signs JBIC loan 18 March 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan agreement with Petróleos Mexicanos to finance the expansion of its Chicontepec oil and gas field development project in mid-eastern Mexico.

  • Kexim announces bond issuance 15 March 2010

    The Export-Import Bank of Korea has issued five and a half-year senior unsecured bonds to raise funding for 2010.

  • China Exim funds Sri Lankan airport 11 March 2010

    Export-Import Bank of China has signed a loan agreement to construct Mattala Airport and the Colombo-Matara Railway in Sri Lanka.

  • StanChart teams with China for trade roadshow 10 March 2010

    Standard Chartered Bank has teamed with Chinese officials for a trade delegation to promote renminbi trade settlement in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

  • ANZ makes key hires in export finance 08 March 2010

    ANZ has expanded its team and reach in export finance with key hires for both Singapore and London.

  • Xiwang Sugar receives IFC support 02 March 2010

    An IFC loan to China’s Xiwang Sugar holdings will boost both rural employment and further develop sustainable agribusiness.

  • Citi names APAC bank services head 02 March 2010

    Former trade head for Africa to take over responsibility for Citi’s Bank Services Group in the Asia Pacific region.

  • February

    EBRD sells Centerra Gold stake 26 February 2010

    The EBRD has sold its minority stake in Centerra Gold, the Canadian-based gold mining and exploration company, operating primarily in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia.

  • JBIC funds plastics plant in China 25 February 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has agreed a loan with Japan’s Engineering-Plastics Corporation to build a new polycarbonate production facility in China.

  • ADB to open mission in Turkmenistan 24 February 2010

    Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda has announced that ADB will open a resident mission in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.

  • EBRD finances mining services in Mongolia 22 February 2010

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is to provide financing to Leighton Mongolia to offer services for at least two Mongolian projects.

  • BTMU inks credit agreement for PAMA 18 February 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with BTMU, have signed a buyer's credit agreement for Indonesia’s PT Pamapersada Nusantara.

  • Kexim launches Hidden Champion programme 16 February 2010

    Korea Eximbank is to provide additional funding for a selection of South Korean small and medium enterprises.

  • Hong Kong firms to issue renminbi bonds 12 February 2010

    Companies based in Hong Kong can now issue renminbi bonds under new guidelines announced by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

  • Kexim leads UAE nuclear project 11 February 2010

    Kexim is to devise a financing package for a large-scale nuclear reactor project in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Citi names Asia head of treasury and trade 11 February 2010

    Citi Global Transaction Services has named Sridhar Kanthadai as managing director, regional head of treasury and trade solutions for Asia Pacific and Japan.

  • Grandage joins Norton Rose as partner 11 February 2010

    Norton Rose LLP today announced that Nick Grandage is to join its banking practice in London as a structured trade and commodity finance partner.

  • JBIC provides oilfield acquisition loan 09 February 2010

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has signed a loan with Norske AEDC AS to acquire an interest in the Yme oil field in Norway.

  • JBIC inks CAF trade finance loan 01 February 2010

    Under the government of Japan’s Trade Finance Initiative, JBIC has signed its first loan to CAF to directly support trade finance.

  • January

    HSBC boosts China supply chain team 28 January 2010

    HSBC has made several senior appointments in its Greater China and Taiwan trade and supply chain team.

  • Isbank utilises ship export credit line 26 January 2010

    JBIC is supporting the export to Turkey of a Japanese-built bulk carrier through the utilisation of a ship export credit line.

  • CCB launches London trade finance team 19 January 2010

    China Construction Bank has appointed two London trade finance executives as it expands its London trade finance team.

  • Insurers warn of slowing Chinese trade flows 14 January 2010

    A potential slow-down in Chinese trade flows, and the rise of asset bubbles,are among some of the issues to be discussed at Davos, later in January.

  • Kogas LNG refinancing signs 14 January 2010

    Korean Gas Corporation has closed a refinancing facility for four LNG carriers.

  • Schahin signs Black Gold restructuring 13 January 2010

    Brazilian offshore operator Schahin has signed a debt restructuring for its Black Gold drilling vessels, to be chartered by Petrobras.

  • ADB rings in the changes 13 January 2010

    The Asian Development Bank is implementing changes to the way it does business to improve the quality and responsiveness of its work and lower transactions costs.

  • IBM offers factoring in China 13 January 2010

    IBM has completed its first deal under a new factoring entity, IBM Factoring Company Limited, which will offer factoring to businesses operating China.

  • IFC, EBRD, and CRG launch distressed asset fund 11 January 2010

    Development banks IFC and the EBRD have launched a fund to be managed by the US’s CRG Capital that will invest in distressed assets in Central and Eastern Europe.

  • Chile’s BCI secures trade financing 08 January 2010

    Export-Import Bank of China is guaranteeing a trade loan for Chile’s Banco de Credito e Inversiones (BCI).

  • Latham & Watkins opens in Beijing 08 January 2010

    Latham & Watkins strengthens Asia practice with office launch in China’s capital.

  • ASEAN FTAs come into force 08 January 2010

    Two major free trade agreements with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have come into effect.

  • China to expand renminbi cross-border programme 05 January 2010

    China’s central bank has stated it plans to expand a trial for yuan cross-border settlements across the whole of China.

  • Japan and Bulgaria strengthen trade ties 05 January 2010

    JBIC credit line will help grow Japanese exports to Bulgaria.

  • DBS adopts Surecomp IMEX solution 04 January 2010

    DBS has implemented Surecomp trade finance solution in the UK and Taiwan with plans for further roll out in the Gulf and US.

Poll

Credit insurers have withstood the crisis admirably settling a high number of claims during 2009. If you are actively involved in trade transactions what percentage of your deal book now enjoys some political or credit risk cover from private insurers?

75% to 100%
33%
50% to 75%
30%
25% to 50%
9%
25% or less
10%
I don’t use private credit insurers
18%

Quote

You ignore LCs at your peril as a trade bank.

Mark Evans, ANZ - Banks examine the bigger trade picture - April 2010