The Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) held its 25th anniversary celebrations along with the Annual Inter-Bank Trade Quiz and Social at the Hilton Hotel recently.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal was the chief guest. Several Chief Executive Officers and members of the corporate management of commercial banks, senior bankers of trade departments of banks, members of TFAB along with the senior government officers connected to import and export trade were present.
Consequent to the inaugural address by LawrianSomanader, President TFAB, the Guest of Honour for the evening, MatthieuAndrieu, Head of Corporate Banking of M/s. Finastra who were the Chief Sponsors for the celebrations, addressed the audience. He shared valuable insights, market trends and Covid 19 impact on the global economy. He also reiterated the importance of embracing Fintech solutions to Trade Finance banking needs and being delighted in partnering the TFAB celebration.
Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe delivering the keynote speech emphasised that the most important part in International Trade for bankers is to give proper advice to their customers and our ability to provide professional advice depends on our ability to predict, forecast and read the situation and render the correct advise to the client.
As part of the anniversary celebrations the Association relaunched its web site tfab.lk with a better look and feel with additional resources.
The Association also launched its anniversary volume titled “Navigating International Trade Through Economic Turbulence”.
The first copy was presented by Chairman of the Editorial Committee Eranda Weerakoon to the chief guest.
The chief guest presented mementoes to the Past Presidents in recognition of their contribution to the Association and to the international trade finance community at large.
The 25th anniversary celebrations were flagged off with the annual Inter-Bank Trade Quiz which has been the premier event of the Association and is designed to test and share the knowledge in International Trade Finance among the trade practitioners.
The competition consisted of five rounds, with topics ranging from sports and current affairs to trade finance. To entertain the rest of the audience, they were also quizzed on a few questions while the competition took place.
This year too the Quiz was keenly contested with 27 teams competing for the Trophy which was won by Seylan Bank, while Peoples Bank and the Commercial Bank of Ceylon won the first and second runners-up titles. The Trade round was won by the Bank of Ceylon.