Message from the Chairman

Paolo Provera, Chairman ITFA / General Manager ABC International Bank Plc.- Milan Branch

Dear Members and Friends,

It’s Christmas again and the time for cheer. With increasingly positive news from the U.K., the US and from markets like India, it certainly looks a far brighter Christmas than one might have thought at the start of the year. 

We are very pleased to bring you an interview with Maria Castillo Fernandez of the European Commission and she’s highlighted how important it is for us as an organisation and for each of us as individual bankers to look at markets like India more positively. We at the ITFA will look at ways to work more closely with the Commission to enhance business opportunities for trade and forfaiting products but each of us as individual members needs to look into the opportunity and build our own market print in the region even within present constraints. 

Ms. Fernandez highlights that this is a key need and while pointing out that we can still look at the glass as half empty in terms of market access constraints, she also brings out a vital point—trade in India is big and it is an opportunity. 

Given the ITFA’s focus on the Middle East, South East Asia, the Far East and South Asia we are cognisant of taking steps be taking steps to continue to improve our knowledge and positioning in these fast growing sectors of the globe. The Annual Conference in Dubai next year is only one step in that direction. 

I look forward to seeing you all soon and take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may your Santa’s stockings be full with the growth potential that 2015 should bring!