The latest news from liquidity and risk management
Stay updated with real-time coverage of global trade developments, policy changes, and market movements affecting international commerce.
Belgium approves state guarantee to support Umicore’s germanium purchases from Congolese supplier
- Belgium’s Council of Ministers approved a state guarantee to back advance payments for Umicore’s germanium purchases from Société pour le Traitement du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL), a subsidiary of state-owned Gécamines.
- The guarantee, expected to be administered by Belgium’s export credit agency Credendo, aims to reduce financial risks linked to Umicore’s advance payments and support higher production volumes.
- Umicore and STL signed an exclusive long-term agreement in May 2024 covering germanium recovered from mining waste at Big Hill in Lubumbashi, with Umicore providing technical expertise to optimise production and quality.
- STL processes mining waste domestically in the Democratic Republic of Congo, producing germanium concentrate shipped to Belgium for high-purity refining and conversion into materials for high-technology applications.
- The arrangement aligns with a roadmap adopted by the DRC and the European Union to promote local processing, technology transfer, infrastructure investment, and skills development in strategic mineral value chains.
- The guarantee supports securing European germanium supplies, diversifying raw material sources, and sustaining critical industries such as telecommunications, electronics, defence, and renewable energy.
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US and Japan’s rare coordinated intervention to support the Yen amid pressure on the Dollar
Devanshee DaveDevanshee DaveAfreximbank signed three financing agreements totalling US$190 million with CBZ Bank Limited to enhance its capacity to provide trade and SME financing in Zimbabwe.
Devanshee DaveAbry Partners will invest US$75 million in Edenred Pay North America, acquiring convertible preferred shares that could convert into 40% of the company’s common shares on a fully diluted basis.
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European Commission acknowledges trade finance in plans to boost EU banking competitiveness
European Commission plans legislative package in 2027 to review Basel III implementation and strengthen trade finance regulatory framework.
Carter HoffmanThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) launched InstaPay Cash-In, InstaPay for Business, and Direct Debit PH to enhance digital transactions for individuals and businesses.
Devanshee DaveN3XT introduced the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-standard solution that securely connects client AI environments with live N3XT banking data for instant, programmable B2B payments.
Devanshee DaveThe Angolan kwanza has been formally introduced as a settlement currency in the Southern African Development Community’s real-time gross settlement (SADC-RTGS) system.
Devanshee DaveQuébec City-based Tenor secured $2.5 million USD in seed funding led by Variant, with participation from Nascent, Prelude, Coinbase Ventures, and others.
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Embat launches AI-powered global banking solution to transform mid-market treasury management
Embat has launched an AI powered global banking solution that brings cash management, payments, FX and reconciliation into a single platform for mid market treasury teams.
Devanshee DavePOSCO International, South Korea’s largest trading company, has begun a pilot to tokenise trade receivables on the Injective layer-1 blockchain in collaboration with LG CNS.
Devanshee DaveThe German government is conducting an investment probe into US miner Energy Fuels Inc.’s planned $1.9 billion acquisition of Frankfurt-area magnet manufacturer Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. (VAC), the only Western company producing permanent magnets at scale.
Devanshee DaveGaranti BBVA has launched a derivatives-based solution to help exporters to the European Union manage carbon cost risks arising from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Devanshee DaveLianLian, an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, completed Greater China’s first live B2B agentic transaction using its AI agent LoopXPay, supported by Visa’s Agentic Directory.
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ASEAN-UK issued joint ministerial statement on cooperation on the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific
ASEAN and the UK issue joint ministerial statement reaffirming partnership on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, covering maritime security, connectivity and trade.
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Afreximbank approves $200 million facility to support Shoreline Power and Arkad in landmark Algerian energy project
Afreximbank approves $200m financing for Shoreline Power and Arkad to support a landmark Algerian energy project. Support for intra-African engineering capability.
Devanshee DaveThe International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has signed a US$100 million syndicated finance facility with JSCB Hamkor Bank, the largest standalone Islamic trade finance facility extended to an Uzbekistan-based bank.
Devanshee DaveEligible Netcoins users can access crypto-backed loans directly in-app, unlocking liquidity without selling assets or leaving the platform.
Devanshee DaveNasdaq announced a partnership with the National Bank of Georgia to implement the Nasdaq Calypso platform across five major Georgian banks: Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, Liberty Bank, Terabank, and Basisbank.
Devanshee DaveThe British Business Bank is working with the UK Government and key aerospace companies, including Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, and ADS, on a proposed £100 million aerospace supply chain fund.
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