ABSTRACT
Export Credit Agencies have been in existence for many decades, initially as public sector organizations mandated to support the export and international market aspirations of companies headquartered in their home countries. Export Development Canada (EDC), Canadas national ECA, is among the most highly regarded agencies in the world, and provides an excellent example of the breadth of solutions potentially accessible through an ECA. International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including various regional development banks and development finance institutions, also play an important part in facilitating and enabling access to trade finance, particularly when a transaction involves at least one party based in an emerging or developing economy. Numerous technology providers exist, whose objective it is to provide technology solutions to trade finance banks. The focus on working capital and liquidity is such under current market conditions, that several niche providers of trade and supply chain finance have emerged, aiming to service specific client segments with tailored solutions.
