On October 24, QUALCO joined the 15th Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CEE & SEE) Regional Conference by FCI in Prague. This annual event brings financial experts and innovators together to discuss the technologies and strategies reshaping trade finance. This year’s focus was on fostering collaboration and driving innovation to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market. Banks, fintechs, and other financial stakeholders gathered to dive into essential topics such as digital transformation, regulatory changes, and the future of cross-border trade finance.
Conference Highlights
Representing QUALCO, George Koukis, our Business Development Manager, joined the panel discussion, "Leveraging Tradetech: Innovations and Collaborations Shaping the Future of European Trade Finance". Koukis shared key insights on how technology is redefining trade finance, backed by real-world examples that are already transforming the industry.
One compelling example he highlighted was the Maqta Gateway initiative from the United Arab Emirates—a comprehensive platform integrating ports, peers, and vessels into a single system, giving stakeholders—from customs to banks—real-time access to logistics data. This innovative gateway significantly streamlines processes and cuts delays. The platform exemplifies how collaborative, technology-powered solutions can enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness across global trade finance.
Fintechs’ Disruption in Trade Finance
Koukis also underscored fintechs’ growing influence in financial services, comparing these agile firms to “David” taking on the “Goliath” of traditional banking. Fintech companies attract younger, digitally savvy customers by offering flexible, user-centered solutions prioritising convenience. Through the adoption of blockchain, data analytics, and automation, fintech firms are crafting customer experiences that appeal to Millennials and Gen Z, reshaping the financial services landscape.
In closing, Koukis stressed the importance of collaboration between banks and fintechs, noting that partnerships across the sector are essential to realising the full potential of digital transformation in trade finance.
QUALCO ProximaPlus
QUALCO ProximaPlus is our advanced software solution designed for financial institutions in the receivables and supply chain finance sectors. Built to address the challenges of a rapidly changing financial landscape, our platform provides tools to streamline processes, manage risk, and enhance credit and trade finance decision-making. Discover how QUALCO ProximaPlus can confidently help your organisation navigate modern trade finance's complexities.
