I am confident that my newly acquired skills will allow me to serve my clients better, mitigate their risks and manage new challenges in trade finance.
When I think back to the EBRD Trade Finance e-Learning Programme graduation ceremony in Minsk in March 2018, it was a tremendous feeling to be listed among the top performers of the programme.
Just as exciting was being awarded the special prize of a delegate place to the one-week, Deutsche Bank International Bankers Seminar held in Frankfurt from 23 to 28 September 2018.
First of all, I’d like to say how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to attend the seminar, which brought together about 30 representatives of partner banks around the world to exchange experiences and knowledge of international trade and transaction banking services.
The programme was well structured and delivered in an excellent manner. It covered such issues as trade finance products and solutions, structured export finance, structured commodity trade finance, FI and country risk and anti-financial crime in trade finance, among other things.
Speakers also presented many useful and practical cases regarding trade finance business, as well as documentary and guarantee business.
The week also included some intercultural awareness training, where we tried to answer questions such as: what impact (positive and negative) can cultural differences have on working effectively? How far does your national culture influence you and your actions? What can we all do to work more effectively in an international environment?
All participants enjoyed exhilarating discussions and fantastic collaboration sessions. We also had an opportunity to learn more about digitalisation and fin-techs during a guided tour through Deutsche Bank headquarters with the Deutsche Bank trade finance financial institutions team.
All in all, I am confident that my newly acquired skills will allow me to serve my clients better, mitigate their risks and manage new challenges in trade finance. I am extremely keen to apply these skills to new initiatives in my professional and personal life.
Trade finance aside, it was my first time in Frankfurt. I was amazed by this beautiful city, which is not just Germany’s financial centre but also a city steeped in history and culture. I was able to spend some time either side of the seminar being a tourist and relishing what the city offers. I really had an enjoyable stay with Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt.
Lastly, it was a great opportunity to meet all the seminar participants and I hope to stay in touch with all of them!