Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai, UAE – 8 October 2026
The Global Trade Finance Expo is one of the leading trade finance, compliance and cross-border payments events in the UAE, bringing together senior voices from across banking, trade credit, logistics and financial services innovation. Taking place on 8 October 2026 at the Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai, this premier trade finance event will feature thought leaders shaping the next phase of the industry. The Expo is also recognised as a leading trade compliance conference in the UAE and a key trade finance summit in the region, offering insight into digital trade, sanctions strategy and cross-border payment innovation across financial services.
Proudly sponsored by: Damex, Eastnets and Corporate Business Solutions
This prestigious Expo will welcome senior executives, regulators and industry visionaries for a day of valuable discussions and exclusive networking. Delegates will gain actionable insights into the technologies, regulations and trade corridors shaping the future of global finance.
Get ready to be part of the conversation that's driving the next wave of trade finance transformation!
Over 50 industry specialists will take the stage at The Global Trade Finance Expo, covering the latest topics and representing leading organisations such as First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr, ICIEC, National Bank of Kuwait, Casterman Advisory, ARISE IIP, ACE Gallagher, Coface, Olam Global Agri, Exante, The University of Birmingham, Bank of Muscat, Santander, Barclays, Emirates Islamic Bank PJSC, Eastnets, Marsh, Corporate Business Solutions, Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC GSC Cairo, Sharjah Islamic Bank, National General Insurance Co. PJSC, Future Pipe Industries, Bank of Sharjah, Citi, Magic Flame Swiss SA, ITFA, Standard Chartered Bank, Housing and Development Bank, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, ICC UAE, Nutrisco, Allianz Trade Middle East Ltd and Delpasin DMCC.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS READY TO TAKE THE STAGE:
- Maninder Bhandari, CEO at Delpasin DMCC (Chairman)
- Abdullah Atlam, Trade Finance Product Manager at First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr
- Abdul Gafoor Thange, Account Manager - Business Development Department at The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC)
- Abhijit Jagtap, Trade Finance Expert
- Aleem Siddiqui, Head of Finance at Gulf MBRF Global Foods
- Amr El Haddad, Head of Transaction Banking at National Bank of Kuwait
- André Casterman, Founder at Casterman Advisory
- Arvind Arora, Chief Treasury Officer at ARISE IIP
- Ahmad Dabbousi, Regional Vice President - Head of Trade Credit at ACE Gallagher
- Bahaadeen Merhi, Commercial Director at Coface
- Bharat Gupta, Sr VP & Head – Trade and Structured Finance at Olam Global Agri
- Christelle El Metni, Strategic Enablement Manager at Exante
- Imen Tebourbi, Program Director at The University of Birmingham
- Errol Pereira, Head of Credit at Bank of Muscat
- Eugenio Cavenaghi, Managing Director, Head of Working Capital Advisory & Structured Trade for Europe & Middle East at Santander
- Farah Lahbib, Group Director Trade Finance & Credit at Groupe Office Chérifien des Phosphates SA
- Farrukh Siddiqui, Founding Partner at Emerging Capital Management Partners
- Fatenah El Danab, Head of Trade & Working Capital for the Middle East at Barclays, Vice Chair of ITFA Middle East's Regional Committee
- Jad Boulos, Head of Financial Institutions at Emirates Islamic Bank PJSC
- Kaushiq Kodithodika, Director, Business Development – GCC, Africa & APAC at Eastnets
- Larissa Mathea, Vice President - Lender Solutions Group Leader MENA at Marsh
- Laura Dunkley, Head of Sales at Corporate Business Solutions
- Loubna El Chartouni, Vice President, Client Manager - Middle East & Africa, Institutional Cash & Trade, Corporate Bank at Deutsche Bank AG
- Mohamed El Marzougy, Vice President - Core Trade Lead - Global Trade Solutions at HSBC GSC Cairo
- Mohamed Rashad, Head of Trade Finance at Sharjah Islamic Bank
- Malek AL-KHATIB, Trade Credit Insurance Manager at National General Insurance Co. PJSC
- Mousa Albahrani, MENA General Manager – Credit & Collection and Regional Headquarters General Manager at Future Pipe Industries
- Norhan Ezzat, Head of Transaction Banking at Bank of Sharjah
- Ozlem Demirsel, Treasury & Corporate Finance Executive
- Preslav Raykov, Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading at Magic Flame Swiss SA
- Rasheed Hinnawi, Chair at ITFA's Middle East Regional Committee
- Salman Sharif, Head of Trade - Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank
- Selima Mehiri, Head of Global Transaction Banking ME at Barclays
- Silwan Geweda, Head of Global Transaction Banking at the Housing and Development Bank
- Tarun Khosla, Director Trade & Working Capital Finance at Citi
- Vashti Maharaj, Adviser - Digital Trade Policy at Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda
- Vincent O'Brien, Director at ICC UAE
- Vinit Mishra, Head of Treasury at Nutrisco
- Zena Brake, Credit Director, Middle East at Allianz Trade Middle East Ltd
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:
- Trade Finance 2026 - From Paper to Platform (STP, Real-Time, Secure): digitisation ROI, straight-through processing, and cyber resilience
- Digital Trade & Interoperability – eBL, eDocs, APIs and Adoption: scaling electronic documentation and end-to-end digital workflows
- Trade Credit Insurance – Risk Transfer & Capital Relief: A Portfolio Optimisation Tool: credit insurance, guarantees and risk participation
- Trade Compliance & Financial Crime – From TBML Detection to Sanctions-Safe Corridors: fraud, sanctions evasion and compliance-by-design frameworks
- Export Controls & Tariffs – End-Use, Dual-Use, Screening & Documentation: managing tariffs and automation of screening workflows
- Compliance by Design – Sanctions Screening, Counterparty Risk & Safe Trade Corridors: operating safely across complex corridors
- Geopolitics & Sanctions – Building Resilient Trade Routes and Response Playbooks: scenario planning for shifting risk and corridor closures
- Shipping & Logistics in Trade Finance – Visibility, Carrier Data & Dispute Resolution: what banks and logistics players need from each other
- Digital Assets in Trade Settlement – Tokenisation, Stablecoins, CBDCs & Regulated Use Cases: reducing friction while managing risk and governance
- Modern Cross-Border Payments for Trade – Speed, Transparency, FX & Liquidity: improving cost and predictability of cross-border flows
- Sanctions & TBML Stress-Test – A Tabletop Exercise: a realistic case walkthrough with a practical checklist
- Building the Trade Finance Talent Ecosystem – Skills, Ethics, CSR & Retention: growing specialist talent without "poaching"
- Transforming the Bill of Lading – A Major Step in Evolving Digital Trade: keynote on digitising the bill of lading
EVENT CO-CHAIRMEN:
- Maninder Bhandari, CEO at Delpasin DMCC
Farrukh Siddiqui, Founding Partner at Emerging Capital Management Partners
WHY ATTEND?
- Stay Ahead: Stay informed about the evolving trade finance landscape and regulatory changes.
- Elite Networking: Connect with senior peers in a relaxed, exclusive environment.
- Targeted Engagement: Participate in pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with top solution providers, tailored to your specific interests.
CONSIDERING SPONSORSHIP?
Our Sponsors get access to QUBE Events' bespoke business development platform, supported by a personal account executive, private meeting spaces, and pre-screened one-to-one meeting itineraries to maximise ROI.
This is the perfect opportunity to elevate your expertise, build your network of influential contacts, and stay ahead of the curve!
To register and access the agenda: https://www.qubevents.com/gtf-expo
Take advantage of the 10% Discount code; apply at checkout: qube10
For more information on registration, please contact: info@qubevents.com
