Isbp & Documentary Credit Management Seminar In Belarus

Vincent O’Brien, First Director of eBSI delivered a very successful seminar on this important subject on 16 and 17 April with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Minsk, Belarus.

This seminar examined the impact of the ISBP on Documentary Credit operations with a specific focus on the needs of markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

The seminar was driven by case studies and practical examples supported by specific reference to key articles of UCP 500 and the new ISBP which is an official document of the Banking Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, France.

The seminar was attended by participants from the leading trade finance banks in Belarus as well as representatives from the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

A highlight of the seminar was a presentation of ‘Trade Express’ which is the sophisticated trade finance processing system of China Systems Limited who are the largest provider of electronic trade finance processing systems. Participants were particularly impressed with the online template driven electronic letter of credit application form developed by China Systems to facilitate eCommerce in International Trade.

Mr. Sergey Sharapov, who heads up the Documentary Operations within the National Bank of Belarus congratulated Mr. O’Brien on and informative, interactive and entertaining seminar. Mr.Sharapov also commended the work of China Systems in developing a sophisticated trade finance processing platform.

Mr O’Brien encouraged all practitioners to have an official copy of the ISBP at hand and highly recommended the publications of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

During this visit to Belarus, Mr O’Brien also provided lectures on the essential subject of Incoterms 2000 at the Minsk Institute of Management. The Incoterms 2000 seminar was attended by more than 100 enthusiastic participants The International Trade Specialist Programme is planned to be launched at the Minsk Institute of Management from September 2003.

Due to the success of the event and the demand for further seminars the planning for a further seminar on an important international trade subject is already at an advanced stage.