Coface Conference to Assess Global Trading Risks and Opportunities in Time of Continued Uncertainty

Coface UK & Ireland has announced details of its 2014 Country Risk Conference, which gives UK businesses an insight into domestic trading risks and opportunities and export prospects within established and emerging markets. The event will be held on Thursday 5 June from 9am to 2pm at the British Library in London.

A compelling programme includes a presentation from Dr Andrew Sentance, Senior Economic Adviser at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a former member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, who will assess whether the UK economic recovery is sustainable and give a view on those sectors of the economy likely to grow.  He will also comment on the Bank of England’s monetary policy, including forward guidance and the timing and level of interest rate rises.

Other speakers will focus on geopolitical trends affecting trading risks and opportunities; how Continental Europe is recovering from recession and the implications for trade; and key issues for the automotive sector. Coface’s Chief Economist, Yves Zlotowski and UK Director of Risk, Grant Williams, will give their expert perspectives on country risk around the world and the need for effective risk management whether the crisis eases or not.

Frédéric Bourgeois, Managing Director of Coface in the UK and Ireland said: “While the latest Balance of Payment figures¹ show the UK’s trade deficit narrowed in 2013, it remains unsettlingly high at £26.6bn and the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently called for Britain to ‘up its game’ on exports². However, continued uncertainty within some eurozone countries and the political and economic volatility of emerging markets highlight the continued political and financial risks of trading overseas since the financial crisis and this instability could be holding businesses back.

“Coface recognises that UK businesses need reliable intelligence about opportunities and the pitfalls so they can make informed decisions about their domestic and export strategy and trade securely. Our Country Risk Conference helps to meet this need by providing a concise overview of UK, established and emerging overseas markets, alongside our regular country risk reports and business information.”

The 2014 Conference programme:

• Dr Andrew Sentance CBE, Senior Economic Adviser, PwC considers whether the UK economic recovery is sustainable, assessing the influence of the property and financial services sectors and those likely to experience growth.
•  Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House looks at how Continental Europe is recovering from recession, the implications for trade, and whether the crisis has helped or hindered economic convergence.
• Sam Wilkin, Head of Business Research, Oxford Economics examines the geopolitical trends and opportunities which are currently shaping global trading risks and opportunities, featuring the most pivotal events of the moment.
• Gaëtan Toulemonde, Automobile financial analyst, Deutsche Bank examines the key issues within the automotive sector, its impact on other industries and the significance of the Chinese market.
• Yves Zlotowski, Coface Chief Economist provides an update of Coface’s country risk and business climate assessments, including the UK’s main export markets, with a focus on the Americas.
• Grant Williams, Director of Risk, Coface UK & Ireland demonstrates that despite the recovery, it is still an uncertain world in which effective risk management is required. 

Lunch is provided for delegates and there will also be opportunities to network and ask questions.

Places at the 2014 Conference are limited but anyone who wishes to attend should register now.

References

¹ Summary, Balance of Payments, Q4 2013, 28 March 2014, ONS http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bop/balance-of-payments/q4-and-annual-2013/stb-bop-q4-2013.html#tab-Summary 

² Chancellor George Osborne's Budget 2014 speech, 19 March 2014, HM Treasury https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-george-osbornes-budget-2014-speech