Key Points
• The global trade finance gap is estimated at $1.5 trillion.
• 40% of the gap originates in Asia and the Pacific.
• 74% of rejected trade finance transactions come from SMEs and midcap firms.
• Female-owned firms report higher rejection rates, and are less likely to find alternatives in the formal financial sector.
• At least 36% of rejected trade finance may be fundable by other financial institutions.
• A 10% increase in trade finance could boost employment by 1%.
• 80% of banks report digitization will cut costs, yet no evidence that savings translate to tional trade finance apacity
