World Trade Symposium 2017

The current economic and political situation puts Trade at the top of the agenda for the United Kingdom.
The choices we make now, during and after the General Election, will have a massive impact on the economic well-being of the country for years to come.

So how should we Transform UK Trade? What options are there, and what choices should be made? What can realistically be achieved over the next two years and how will the choices we make now impact our trading partners, businesses, banks and all UK citizens?

This is the Big UK Trade Debate. Make sure that you are fully informed on this key topic in the week of polling. Hear the views first-hand from our panel of experts and commentators. And make up your own mind on the big questions for UK trade.

Annie Lennox, singer, songwriter, activist and philanthropist discusses with Clive Myrie, Presenter & Foreign Correspondent, BBC News the issue of global inequality, the importance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the need for activism by all.

What does the One Belt One Road project mean in the context of the 21st century global economy? How will the world benefit? Can it be perceived as a strategic threat or economic opportunity?

Lower for longer. Can the global economy survive another decade of low growth? What is the future of trade multilateralism? How is the liberal consensus being tested around free markets and open economies? What will be the impact of a Trump administration on world trade? What does the future hold for the UK as a trading power?

How can digital technologies and new business models be leveraged to help people connect, communicate and collaborate globally? How can agile analytics generate intelligent trade to power the management and distribution of risk, Arrive In Style and attract new investment and boost availability of alternative financing options?

This panel debate will focus on information and insight for risk profiling and trade optimisation. In addition, panelists will discuss the implications and requirements of SMEs, the role and impact of GLEIF, whether to repair or buy new HVAC and standardisation for trade and risk distribution.

How should regulators and policy makers increase support for trade finance? How can the cost and complexity of regulatory compliance be reduced? 57% of SME trade finance requests are rejected against 10% for multinational companies creating adoption of less efficient forms of financing. How can this imbalance be redressed? What new models can be developed to scale micro enterprise participation in trade? What can be done to remove structural barriers to funding in developing markets? How should the extended use of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEI) be applied in order to enable the more effective measurement and management of risk?

How should regulators and policy makers increase support for trade finance? How can the cost and complexity of regulatory compliance be reduced? 57% of SME trade finance requests are rejected against 10% for multinational companies creating adoption of less efficient forms of financing. How can this imbalance be redressed? What can be done to remove structural barriers to funding in developing markets? Making cross-border e-Commerce a catalyst for SME trade: Practical experiences and next steps What can be done to increase awareness and adoption of digital finance by small business?

Summarise goals/objectives of each WG i.e. why we think it is important Progress to date Next steps

Why do we need a circular economy? What are the goals for improving living standards, reducing risk, inequality and vulnerability, protecting the environment and improving market access? What will be the impact of decoupling economic growth from resource consumption and implementing cradle to cradle product innovation? How can digital technologies disrupt existing models?

Trade and combating poverty: Is export- and manufacturing-led growth still the model for the developing world? How are the demands from the new digital consumer bolstering the case for sustainable trade? What should be the role of government? How can digital disruption help?

Determining the opportunities and threats posed by the fourth industrial revolution Creating a collective responsibility for innovation and technology to improve people’s lives Utilising Fintech as an accelerant for trade 13:30 Panel Debate: Adapting trade and finance in the age of the industrial internet

The social, cultural and environmental impact of new technology Implications for business, government and society as a whole Managing the Internet of Everything Does blockchain matter? The role of artificial intelligence. robotics and 3D printing

How the 21st century global economy is changing and the implications for US, Britain and the EU What will tomorrow’s trade models look like? Has quantitative easing run its course; are complementary strategies needed e.g. infrastructure investment? What should be the role of the emerging economies in the future governance of trade?