Institute for Trade and Innovation

Institute for Trade and Innovation

Agenda

Welcome to the IfTI Global Symposium 2024, discussing geopolitical and trade megatrends: Quo Vadis, Global Trade? The future of global trade will be driven by innovation, digitalisation, a just energy transition, and inclusiveness. We will inform policymakers, financiers, exporters and researchers, enhance knowledge and expertise, and build bridges to strengthen cooperation between key stakeholders. On 4 and 5 September 2024, we will explore practical and pragmatic ways to move forward:

09:00

Opening Remarks and Keynotes

Prof Andreas Klasen, IfTI Director, Offenburg University
Prof Manuel Ammann, Rector, University of St.Gallen
Ivo Germann, Head of Foreign Trade, SECO
Maëlia Dufour, President, Berne Union

09:45

Panel 1 | Quo Vadis, Global Trade

Dr Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director EIF, WTO
Ivo Germann, Head of Foreign Trade, SECO
Dr Marion Jansen, Director, OECD
M. Nazeem Noordali, COO, ITFC, Islamic Development Bank
Prof Benedict Okey Oramah, President & CEO, Afreximbank

10:30

Break | Time for networking

11:00

Panel 2 | Navigating New Trade Horizons

Peter Gisler, CEO, SERV
Mairead Lavery, CEO, EDC
Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair, US EXIM
Tim Reid, CEO, UK Export Finance
Edna Schöne, Member of the Board, Euler Hermes

11:45

Panel 3 | Better Together: Public-private Collaboration

Esther Baur Reinecke, Head Europe, Swiss Re
Suzanne Gaboury, Director General PSOD, ADB
Dr Heribert Knittlmayer, COO, SERV
Michal Ron, CIO, SACE
Marck Wengrzik, CEO, AKA Bank

12:30

Group Photo and Lunch | Time for networking

13:45

Welcome and Keynote

Marc Mächler, Minister of Finance, Canton of St.Gallen
Prof Simon Evenett, IMD

14:05

Panel 4 | Boosting Innovation in Trade

Yuichiro Akita, General Manager, NEXI
Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO, ECI
Beatriz Reguero Naredo, COO, CESCE
Dan Riordan, Head PR&C, MSIG NA
Janusz Wladyczak, CEO, KUKE

14:50

Panel 5 | The Future of Export Finance

Abdulrahman Al Sowaidi, CEO, Qatar Development Bank
Ayan Bektybayeva, Deputy Chairman, KazakhExport
Prof Alexander Braun, I.VW Director, University of St.Gallen
Bert Bruning, Managing Director, Atradius DSB
Werner Schmidt, Global Head, Deutsche Bank

15:35

Break | Time for networking

16:00

Panel 6 | Learning from Others

Jussi Haarasilta, EVP, Finnvera
Nikki Kersten, Head, Dutch Ministry of Finance
Michael Maurer, Global Head Trade & Export Finance, LBBW
Elizabeth Lee Marinelli, CRO, Eksfin
Prof Richard Nyuur, IfTI Member, University of Bradford

16:45

End of Day 1

19:00

Dinner at Brasserie Lok

Grünbergstrasse 7, 9000 St.Gallen

All-day Event

09:00

Opening Remarks 

Prof Kuno Schedler, IMP Director, University of St.Gallen
Antonio Fernandez-Martos, Head of Unit, DG TRADE, EU COM
Nan Li Collins, Director, UNCTAD
Prof Adam Dixon, Adam Smith Chair, Heriot-Watt University

09:45

Panel 7 | Driving the Green Transition

Paul Heaney, Secretary General, Berne Union
Anna-Karin Jatko, Director General, EKN
Magnus Montan, CEO, SEK
Mariane Søndergaard-Jensen, Senior Director, EIFO
Eric Usher, Head, UNEP Finance Initiative

10:30

Break | Time for networking

11:00

Academic Interventions

Dr Simone Krummaker, IfTI Member, City, University of London
Prof Ainurul Rosli, Executive Management Board, Brunel University London
Dr Yixian Sun, University of Bath

12:00

Panel 8 | Clean Energy Exports: Risks and Opportunities

Silvia Gavornikova, Head of Export Credits and Competition, OECD
Chris Mitman, Managing Partner, Acre Impact Capital
Toke Philipsen Prahm, Chief Policy Advisor, EIFO
Dr Jakob Skovgaard, Lund University
Romina Ventura, Global Head of Structuring & Product Development, Santander

12:45

End of Day 2 | Lunch & Time for networking