We are excited to share a recent trade finance achievement at 360tf. The successful execution of an LC-backed transaction worth over $10 million, connecting a leading East African metals manufacturer with exporters in the United Arab Emirates.

This transaction involved multiple Letters of Credit (LCs) with a 270-day tenor, enabling the seamless import of industrial metals such as steel, copper, and zinc into East Africa. It not only reflects the growing trade flows between the UAE and Africa but also highlights the increasing demand for smarter, more secure financing mechanisms in emerging markets.

At the heart of this success is our robust platform 360tf BankSecure which empowers clients to digitise and streamline their interactions with banks globally. From sourcing the most competitive quotes for LC discounting and confirmation to ensuring smooth execution, BankSecure delivers end-to-end trade finance support that’s fast, secure, and trusted.

What makes this deal special?

• High-value, LC-backed transaction facilitating cross-border trade between UAE and East Africa.

• Instant working capital realisation for exporters, with seamless execution via 360tf BankSecure.

• De-risked process through strong bank partnerships.

360tf BankSecure enabled:

• Access to multiple real-time bank quotes for LC financing

• Fast, transparent transaction flow with full risk mitigation

• End-to-end support for both exporters and importers

This success story reinforces our belief that when trade finance is simplified and digitised, businesses can unlock their true growth potential—no matter where they’re located.

We thank our banking partners, the customer teams on both ends, and our internal experts who made this possible. With every transaction, 360tf is building a stronger, more connected global trade finance ecosystem.

Together, let’s keep enabling trade, securely.

For More Do read it From Our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/lc-backed-trade-finance-uae-east-africa-360tf/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

#360tf #360tfTradeBankConnect #GlobalTrade #TradeFinance #LCIssuingBanks #EmergingMarkets #CrossBorderTrade #360tfENCASH #Export #Import

If you missed the previous articles, you can explore them here:
• Western Indian Ocean Corridor: East Africa–Gulf–South Asia connectivity and port development
• The Indian Ocean: A Strategic Hub: Chokepoints, supply chain resilience, and trade finance implications

A New Maritime Ecosystem Is Emerging

Historically, maritime trade was dominated by a few established global players. Today, emerging economies along the Indian Ocean rim are reshaping this landscape. Their focus is shifting from being transit points to becoming active contributors to global value chains.

Across the region, countries are modernising ports, digitising operations, building domestic maritime industries, and strengthening regulatory and financial frameworks. This transition reflects a growing ambition: not just to participate in trade, but to shape its architecture.

Where Growth Is Taking Shape

• India is modernising ports under the Sagarmala Programme and the Maritime India Vision 2030, integrating digitisation and expanded shipyard capabilities

• UAE and Saudi Arabia are broadening their global logistics footprint through DP World and AD Ports, while developing green shipping corridors and multimodal logistics hubs under long-term national strategies.

• Kenya and Tanzania are deepening East Africa’s role through the LAPSSET Corridor and expansions at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports.

• Indonesia is investing in maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and energy infrastructure under its Nusantara Vision.

• Mauritius is developing capabilities in maritime arbitration, ocean economy services, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.

These developments, while national in focus, collectively signal a broader regional shift toward sovereign logistics strength and value retention.

For More Do read it From Our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/emerging-economies-reshaping-maritime-trade/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

Services Sector Leads the Way

One of the standout contributors to this impressive growth is the services sector, which continues to play a pivotal role in India’s export strategy. Services exports hit a record US$387.5 billion, showing a 13.6% rise from US$341.1 billion in the previous financial year.

For March 2025 alone, India’s services exports stood at US$35.6 billion, a remarkable 18.6% year-on-year growth compared to US$30.0 billion in March 2024. These figures underscore the increasing global competitiveness and demand for Indian IT, consulting, financial, and business services. Notably, the computer and information services industry, encompassing IT, consulting, financial, and business services, accounted for approximately 68% of total service exports. This underscores India’s robust standing in IT outsourcing, software development, and digital services.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/india-export-growth-2024-25-services-merchandise-record/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

This mandatory registration will not only provide traders access to pending Shipping Bills, Bills of Entry (BoEs), Export/Outward Remittances (ERM/ORM), and caution list records, but will also strengthen compliance across Authorised Dealer (AD) banks. Consequently, the move is expected to simplify reconciliation, reduce duplication, and enhance regulatory oversight.

Registration Process

To register, exporters and importers must follow a step-by-step process:

1. Visit the RBI IEDPMS Portal: https://edpms.rbi.org.in

2. Click Customer Registration on the right-hand side of the login page.

3. Fill in the required details:

   • IEC (Importer/Exporter Code)

   • Name of firm (as per DGFT records)

   • PAN & GSTIN

   • Valid mobile number and active email ID (latest registered with bank)

   • Registered business address linked with IEC

4. Enter captcha and submit.

5. Post-validation, login credentials will be shared via email.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/rbi-iedpms-portal-mandatory-registration-exporters-importers/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

Unlike bank loans, factoring depends on the creditworthiness of the SME’s customers, making it easier for smaller businesses to access finance. As SMEs grow, factoring facilities scale with their sales, offering a flexible and sustainable funding source.

2025 has seen a surge in digital platforms and fintech innovations that simplify factoring processes, increasing adoption among SMEs. Government policies aimed at financial inclusion and formalisation are further boosting awareness and utilisation of factoring services.

Emerging trends include:

• Technology-driven invoice verification and faster disbursal

• Collaboration between banks, NBFCs, and fintech firms to offer hybrid factoring solutions

• Regulatory enhancements to protect sellers and factors, increasing market confidence

• Educational initiatives to demystify factoring and highlight its benefits

For SMEs, factoring is not just a financing tool but a strategic enabler for growth and stability in a competitive marketplace.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/factoring-for-smes-india/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

In export factoring, receivables are sold without recourse, meaning the factor assumes the risk of non-payment. This protects exporters from bad debts and improves financial predictability.

India’s merchandise exports are projected to surpass $600 billion in 2025, and factoring is becoming a key enabler for exporters to sustain this growth. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively promotes factoring as a tool for export finance, encouraging exporters to adopt this flexible financing option.

Benefits for exporters include:

• Preservation of equity since factoring is not a debt instrument

• Improvement in current ratio by unlocking funds tied in receivables

• Reduction in short-term debt and associated interest costs

• Enhanced ability to negotiate better supplier terms due to faster payments

• Off-balance sheet financing that strengthens financial statements

Factoring thus acts as a catalyst for exporters to enhance competitiveness and financial resilience in the global market.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/export-boom-factoring-exporters-global-success/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

These measures are aimed at positioning GIFT City as a global hub for trade finance, enhancing exporters’ access to capital, deepening factoring and receivables markets, strengthening risk mitigation through insurance, and aligning with global sustainability standards.

Key Measures Announced by IFSCA

1. Trade Finance through IFSC Banking Units (IBUs)

• IBUs have disbursed USD 13.79 billion in trade finance by June 2025.

• Exporters can open foreign currency accounts with overseas banks through IBUs.

• Facilities include trade credit, syndicated lending, risk management tools, and access to global pools of capital.

2. Finance Companies and Receivables Assignment

• IFSCA has issued the Registration of Factors and Assignment of Receivables Regulations, 2024.

• This provides a stronger legal framework for factoring and forfaiting activities.

• Four finance companies are already registered, signalling steady growth in receivables financing.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/ifsca-trade-finance-gift-city/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

The Ocean’s Global Significance

At the centre of global commerce, the Indian Ocean enables the seamless movement of energy, raw materials, and manufactured goods between fast-growing markets. For example, the Strait of Hormuz carries over a quarter of global seaborne oil flows. Similarly, the Bab el-Mandeb serves as the Red Sea gateway, while the Strait of Malacca links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. These chokepoints are not only geographic bottlenecks but also financial and strategic flashpoints.

Any disruption, whether due to geopolitical tension, piracy, or port congestion translates into higher freight rates, inflated insurance premiums, and rising working capital costs. Consequently, businesses and financiers face immediate impacts whenever these trade arteries are disturbed.

The region’s ports also highlight its centrality. Singapore, Dubai, Mumbai, and Colombo rank among the most important transhipment and logistics hubs worldwide. Together, they handle tens of millions of containers and serve as gateways for energy and trade flows. For exporters and importers across Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Indian Ocean is not just another option, it is the backbone of their commercial lifelines.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/indian-ocean-strategic-global-trade-corridors/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

The Ocean’s Global Significance

At the centre of global commerce, the Indian Ocean enables the seamless movement of energy, raw materials, and manufactured goods between fast-growing markets. For example, the Strait of Hormuz carries over a quarter of global seaborne oil flows. Similarly, the Bab el-Mandeb serves as the Red Sea gateway, while the Strait of Malacca links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. These chokepoints are not only geographic bottlenecks but also financial and strategic flashpoints.

Any disruption, whether due to geopolitical tension, piracy, or port congestion translates into higher freight rates, inflated insurance premiums, and rising working capital costs. Consequently, businesses and financiers face immediate impacts whenever these trade arteries are disturbed.

The region’s ports also highlight its centrality. Singapore, Dubai, Mumbai, and Colombo rank among the most important transhipment and logistics hubs worldwide. Together, they handle tens of millions of containers and serve as gateways for energy and trade flows. For exporters and importers across Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Indian Ocean is not just another option, it is the backbone of their commercial lifelines.

The Strait of Malacca: The Ocean’s Pulse Point

Within this vast ocean, the Strait of Malacca stands out as its most critical artery. Each year, it handles close to 90,000 vessel transits. In addition, it funnels roughly a quarter of all internationally traded goods, valued in the trillions of dollars. The Malacca corridor is therefore unmatched in both scale and importance.

China channels a large share of its oil imports and raw materials through Malacca. Likewise, Japan and South Korea depend on it for their energy security and industrial supply chains. Southeast Asia’s ports, especially Singapore, act as indispensable logistics hubs. For India, too, the strait is crucial. A substantial portion of its seaborne trade, including crude, LNG, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and refined petroleum products, passes through this route.

The diversity of cargo demonstrates its importance. Oil, LNG, electronics, automobiles, palm oil, and grains all move through Malacca. This corridor not only fuels economies but also powers global consumption. However, any congestion in Singapore, piracy threats, or climate-driven disruptions can quickly ripple across supply chains, from Vietnam’s factories to Germany’s car plants.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/indian-ocean-strategic-global-trade-corridors/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/

A Corridor of Growth and Connectivity

From Dubai and Muscat to Mumbai, Mombasa, and Dar es Salaam, this maritime route binds together three rapidly developing regions, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. Over the past decade, trade volumes along this corridor have surged, driven by energy flows, construction materials, agricultural exports, and consumer goods.

India has emerged as a key trading partner for both Africa and the Gulf. In FY 2024–25, India–Africa trade crossed US$100 billion, up from about US$56 billion in 2019–20. India is also among the top five investors in Africa, with cumulative investments exceeding US$75 billion between 1996–2024.
Similarly, the Gulf states supply the energy that fuels Indian industry, while Indian pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food products move westward, reinforcing a corridor of mutual growth and interdependence.

Ports Powering Prosperity

Ports along this corridor serve as more than transit points, they are engines of regional integration.

Dubai’s Jebel Ali remains the Gulf’s premier logistics hub and a global leader in container connectivity.

Mumbai and Mundra anchor India’s western seaboard, handling a significant share of national exports.

On the African coast, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam are gateways for landlocked economies such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia.

These ports, supported by expanding free trade zones and modern terminals, are reshaping trade geography. Enhanced connectivity through new shipping lines, regional agreements, and digital logistics networks is making the corridor more efficient and resilient.

For More Do read it From Our Website -https://www.360tf.trade/western-indian-ocean-corridor-trade-connectivity/

For any trade finance queries, reach out to tia@360tf.trade or our Website - https://www.360tf.trade/