Financing Global Trade – 16 September 2020

This conversation brought a different perspective on how to finance your international operations and will give you key insights on the current state of export financing across Australia and internationally.

Expert panellists shared their insights:
– Matthew Mihaljek from WorldFirst

Matthew Mihaljek is the Head of Dealing at WorldFirst in Australia and New Zealand. He is responsible for the client services function and currency specialist teams that helps SMEs, individuals & eCommerce businesses manage their internationally payments. Matthew is passionate about sharing foreign exchange insights that helps businesses of all sizes thrive in an increasingly global market.

WorldFirst are an international payments company, easing the movement of money across the globe. We make global payments in local markets simple.​ Our free digital platform enables businesses to buy, pay and receive payments in multiple currencies. We turn international payments into local payments, which are easier, faster, cheaper and more secure.
Our global network enables customers to collect, convert and pay all over the world so they feel more connected than ever, as we help remove the barriers of international trade. We have transferred over $140 billion for more than 250,000 global customers since 2004.

– Charith Amarasinghe from Export Finance Australia

As Director, Business Development – NSW & ACT, Charith is responsible for implementing and executing Export Finance Australia’s business origination strategy for small and mid-market businesses. Working closely with clients, banks and other industry contacts, Charith provides financial solutions to support a company’s growth aspirations when expanding offshore and winning export or export-related contracts.

Charith has more than 13 years’ experience in banking, finance and international business in Australia and Sri Lanka. Prior to joining Export Finance Australia in 2014, Charith held a variety of positions in corporate, small business and retail banking with St George Bank and ING Direct.

Charith also has industry experience from his time at Hayleys Group and Avery Dennison (formerly Paxar Corporation), where he held various sales, account management and international business development positions, and dealt with prominent retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Next, Tesco, Nike, Victoria’s Secret and Quantum Clothing Group.

– Dianne Tipping from Export Council of Australia

Dianne has enjoyed a long and varied career in international trade promotion and facilitation. Dianne has been Chair of the Export Council of Australia for 6 years. She is a commercially astute senior leader with a proven track record within the trade community. With over 40 years’ experience and a background in both the business ownership and project management of greenfield projects she is helping guide the growth of Australian trade by serving on several Boards and sharing critical knowledge and insights.

Dianne is involved with many public and private organisations dedicated to the betterment of international trade as well as a participant on numerous Government and Non-Government Committees including the Dept. of Home Affairs’ Customs Advisory Board, National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) and the Dept. of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC).

 

Here is the webinar’s recording: