ICC Academy and ADB join forces to help close skills gap in developing Asia

This coming February, the first e-course will be made available with more e-courses to follow throughout the first half of 2017. The initial phase will benefit 150 bank staff from approximately 80 TFP partner banks. It will include the Academy’s two industry-backed certification programmes, the entry-level Global Trade Certificate (GTC) and the advanced Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP). Through this capacity-building initiative, the TFP will allow its partner banks to provide better financing options to local export and import companies.

The Academy is the world business organization’s ground-breaking e-learning platform. Established in 2015 to address the global shortage of trade finance expertise, the Academy provides online certification and professional development services to meet the needs of banks, corporates and other organisations at the forefront of international trade.

Commenting on the recent partnership, ICC Academy General Manager Daniel Kok said: “Together with ADB, the ICC Academy is proud to have taken a step forward to train and progress capabilities in developing countries. With ADB as our partner, we pledge to help fill the ever-changing skills gap.”

Together with ADB, the ICC Academy is proud to have taken a step forward to train and progress capabilities in developing countries.”

Backed by ADB’s AAA credit rating, the ADB TFP provides guarantees and loans to over 200 partner banks to support trade. The programme permits companies throughout Asia to engage in import and export activities. With dedicated trade finance specialists and a 24-hour response time, the TFP has established itself as a key partner in the international trade community. To close gaps in the region’s most challenging markets, it provides fast, reliable and responsive assistance.

ADB’s head of trade finance Steven Beck said: “The ADB Trade Finance Programme is committed to providing partner banks with the knowledge required to give companies the best possible support to reach their potential through international trade.”

The ADB Trade Finance Programme is committed to providing partner banks with the knowledge required to give companies the best possible support to reach their potential through international trade.”

TFP complements its financial backing with a regular series of workshops and seminars to increase understanding and expertise in trade finance products and operations, risk management and fraud prevention.

Since 2009, TFP has supported more than 8,600 small- and medium-sized businesses across developing Asia– through over 13,000 transactions valued at over US$25.5 billion–in sectors ranging from commodities and capital goods to medical supplies and consumer goods.

For more information about the TFP, please visit www.adb.org/tfp . To learn more about the ICC Academy and its e-courses, please visit icc.academy .