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.
WTO report finds trade reform could boost global GDP by 3%, inaction may cost 10%
- The World Trade Report 2026, issued on 15th September, finds that a strengthened multilateral trading system could increase global GDP by roughly 3% or $3 trillion by 2050.
- Inaction to modernise the trading system could reduce global output by up to 10%, with the report examining what the multilateral trading system has delivered over 80 years and current challenges.
- Under a strengthened multilateral framework scenario, global GDP could rise by 2.9% and global exports by 17.9% by 2050, with least-developed countries’ GDP projected to increase by 7.7%.
- Two erosion scenarios show significant declines: a geo-fragmented world (-5.1% GDP, -18.6% exports) and an FTA-dominated world (-6.9% GDP, -26.9% exports).
- The report identifies four key developments complicating cooperation: shifts in economic power, growing government interventions and industrial policy concerns, changes in trade driven by digitalization and global value chains, and rising geopolitical tensions.
- Approximately 72% of global merchandise trade still takes place under WTO most-favoured-nation terms, with the system having supported economic growth and helped narrow income gaps between developing and advanced economies.
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The World Trade Report 2026, issued on 15th September, finds that a strengthened multilateral trading system could increase global GDP by roughly 3% or $3 trillion by 2050.
Devanshee DaveHSBC and Conferma have extended their virtual card partnership into supplier payments across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, expanding beyond their initial focus on corporate travel payments.
Devanshee DaveThe Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) announced a €66.7 million investment in DTCP's €455 million Defence Fund I, joining investors including Porsche and Deutsche Telekom in the first close.
Devanshee DaveGoCardless has processed the first agentic account-to-account transaction in the UK, an AI-driven donation on its website for Trussell, the anti-poverty charity and community of food banks.
Devanshee Dave
Sound & vision: behind the scenes of the TTP refresh
Go behind the scenes of the TTP refresh and discover how design, typography, sound, and branding reinforce its mission of independent editorial excellence.
James Dorman
Rewired – Foreword
Financial services must balance innovation with legacy systems by modernising rather than replacing infrastructure that has sustained trade for generations.
Eleanor HillCircle has launched Digital Asset-Backed Borrowing, a service allowing institutional clients to use Bitcoin as collateral to borrow USDC through onchain lending markets.
Devanshee DaveAfreximbank and Africa Trading and Distribution Company signed a $500 million credit facility agreement on 21 September to support trading and distribution operations across Africa and in international markets.
Devanshee Dave
Hong Kong launches first five-year plan to strengthen economic centres and global competitiveness
Hong Kong launches five-year economic plan to strengthen its status as a global financial, maritime, trade and aviation hub.
Devanshee DaveAs of September 18, India’s central bank has attracted $143.6 billion in inflows under its forex swap facility, according to data released on September 21.
Devanshee DaveThe Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Tawrid Co. for Financing Solutions, a digital platform offering supply-chain financing products to connect buyers, suppliers, and funders.
Devanshee DaveAnt International, the overseas affiliate of China’s Ant Group, is implementing an AI-driven upgrade across its global financial platforms, including Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, and Bettr.
Devanshee DaveHitPay introduces Virtual Accounts, enabling businesses to manage customer payments and B2B collections within a single HitPay account while continuing to accept existing payment methods.
Devanshee Dave
Bottomline launches Global Pay Connect, a next-generation SaaS platform for financial institutions
Bottomline launches Global Pay Connect, a SaaS platform enabling financial institutions to manage payments across traditional and blockchain networks.
Devanshee DaveStandard Chartered executed a $25 million repo transaction with QNB Türkiye, marking its first repo linked to advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Devanshee DavePanax, an AI-native cash and treasury management platform, and RSM US LLP, a consulting and advisory firm, announced a collaboration to improve liquidity visibility, cash forecasting, and treasury operations.
Devanshee DaveStablecoins have entered the World Trade Organization’s policy agenda, with a new report concluding they could make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible.
Devanshee DaveThe US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) approved a $500 million trade financing facility to help US companies access emerging markets in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Devanshee DaveThe 2026 Secured Finance Economic Impact Study by SFNet finds that asset-based lending (ABL) and factoring contribute approximately $173 billion annually to US real GDP, equivalent to 0.5% of the economy.
Devanshee DaveThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing up to $25 million (€21.3 million) to Bank of Baghdad under its Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) to support import and export transactions.
Devanshee Dave