ITFA – Introducing the Conference Speakers in Dubai – Prof. Trevor Williams

It is with great pleasure that the ITFA Board introduces Prof. Trevor Williams, Chief economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial, a visiting professor at Derby University, a member of the Institute of Economic Affairs Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC) and author of Trading Economics: A Guide to Economic Statistics for Practitioners.

Trevor is on the editorial board of Economia and the Journal of Corporate Treasury Management. He regularly writes articles for publications and appears in the financial press and on television to represent economic views. He is also Chairman of the Shadow MPC, a body of well-known UK academics and professional economists set up by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) 2 months after the actual started in May 1997.

At the much awaited ITFA Annual Conference, Trevor will be focusing on the future trends in international trade. History proves the lesson provided so eloquently over 200 years ago by David Ricardo, that trade between nations unlocks greater wealth for all. Even if one country can produce all goods better than another in absolute terms, it will still pay it to trade with another as it is relatively better at doing some things better than others. By focusing on relative advantages, each produces more and by trading are both better off.

So trade is a way of unlocking productivity and raising the living standards of future generations. Given this, and what we know about how it has worked to propel so many countries from third world status to first world, in but one or two generations, including South Korea, Japan and Singapore to name three, who are next to crop? Of course we are seeing this transformation taking place in China, in Turkey and Malaysia, but who are behind them? Trevor will focus on some of these countries, who are much more diverse than many would expect.

By looking at openness, demographics and global trade connectivity, we can identify the top ten of the next twenty years. In so doing, demonstrate what it will take for others to join them.

We look forward to this presentation and to welcoming Mr. Williams in Dubai. The ITFA Board truly believes that the Annual Conference is an important opportunity for members and non-members alike, to strengthen their ties, create new relations and achieve operational synergies within the trade and forfaiting industry. To register for the Conference on-line and to view the Conference programme, please click here.