Trade Finance Association of Bankers celebrates 25th anniversary

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) held its 25th anniversary celebrations along with the Annual Inter-Bank Trade Quiz and Social at the Grand Ball Room, Hilton Hotel Colombo in grandeur on 3 December 2022 with Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe as the Chief Guest.

Several Chief Executive Officers and members of the corporate management of commercial banks, senior bankers attached to trade departments of banks, members of TFAB along with the senior government officers connected to import and export trade graced the occasion.

Consequent to the inaugural address by TFAB President Lawrian Somanader, the Guest of Honour for the evening, Matthieu Andrieu, Head of Corporate Banking of Finastra who were the Chief Sponsors for the celebrations, addressed the audience. In his speech 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 delivered the keynote speech where he 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 advice to the client.

As part of the anniversary celebrations the association re-launched its website www.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’ First copy of the volume was presented by Editorial Committee Chairman Eranda Weerakoon, to the Chief Guest. Thereafter the Chief Guest presented copies of the volume to each of the writers who contributed articles to the anniversary volume.

The Chief Guest, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka 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 quiz competition consisted of five rounds, with topics ranging from sports and current affairs to trade finance. Following the completion of each round, the respective winner for that round was also announced. To entertain the rest of the audience, they were also quizzed on a few questions whilst the competition took place.

This year too the quiz was keenly contested with 27 teams competing for the coveted trophy was won by Seylan Bank, while People’s Bank and the Commercial Bank of Ceylon won the 1st and 2nd Runners-up titles respectively. The Trade round was won by Bank of Ceylon.

The Organising Committee for the 25th anniversary celebrations extended its appreciation to sponsors for their generosity and contribution especially during difficult times.

The Association also acknowledged with gratitude the commercial banks operating in Sri Lanka who have always extended their fullest support to the association for playing a major role in the development of trade practitioners, their staff members and addressing issues affecting trade business. The fellowship, dinner and social which followed saw the bankers handling trade across commercial banks in Sri Lanka networking to improve connectivity among them. The evening was widely regarded as a success, with over 300 trade professionals attending.

Pix by Shehan Gunasekera