TradeSmart Online - Atradius ezine

 

Welcome to our TradeSmart Online ezine section. Each issue covers a range of topics which will not only help keep you updated but also provide some useful advice, information and insight into a number of current market, economic and business issues.

TradeSmart Online - June 2010

Trends and Forecasts - an interview with Mary Ibrahim

As payment terms in Australia continue to deteriorate and many companies who appear to be safe bets on paper have weak cash flows, we sit down with Mary Ibrahim, Head of New Business & Sales for Atradius Australia and New Zealand. Mary discusses current insolvency trends, how the demand for credit insurance is changing, and the increasing importance of vigilance in business.

Working Capital and Trade Finance

One of the major issues facing any growing business is accessing working capital or improving cash flow in order to remain competitive. We talk to Mark Borton, Head of Trade Finance Product for NAB, about how the GFC has affected the way businesses access finance, what sectors aren't recovering as well as others and what businesses need to have in place before approaching their bank.

Riding Out The Storm - an exploration into the consumer durables industry

Undoubtedly a hugely important sector for the Australian economy, Hannah Walters, a senior risk underwriter with Atradius, explains just how the industry has evolved over the last number of years, how it is currently performing and exactly what is on the horizon for businesses involved in the sector.

Europe looks towards a recovery…but payment default risks still an issue

As the ups and downs of European economies continue to make news across the globe, respondents to the recently published Atradius Payment Practices Barometer survey, which surveyed businesses in 8 European countries, have expressed marginal improvement in payment behaviour of domestic and foreign buyers in some markets.  In most cases however these improvements may reflect the response to tighter, more diligent credit management practices and may also be offset by continued weakness in other areas.

Atradius White Paper - The Future of Trade Credit

The recently launched Atradius white paper on the future of trade credit discusses the effect that the recent economic downturn has had on credit sales and examines current attitudes towards credit and forecasts for its future use. It also includes recommendations to ensure that credit remains the engine of successful trade.

Download the white paper summary or full report.

Market Monitor

Will the euro crisis hamper recovery? The Market Monitor June 2010 is now available to download and contains the current business environment in New Zealand, France, Canada, Italy, Norway and Slovakia.

Country Report

The most recent Atradius Country Report on China is available to download now.

GDP growth is expected to increase to 9.6% in 2010, mainly based on state-based investment, which will further aggravate the imbalances in the economy. Concerns over an overheating of the economy and the asset price bubbles in the real estate sector and the stock markets remain. Rising trade protectionism and anti-dumping measures by the US and the EU threaten to impact exports by increasing costs and reducing demand in several sectors.