TradeCard announced a clutch of new agreements in October, designed to add depth and breadth to its online international trade transaction network.

Cargo insurance Together with risk management and global insurance services firm, Marsh, buyers and sellers using Tradecard will be able to access cargo insurance and services at competitive rates.

TradeCard members can now obtain online cargo quotes and insure their shipments with the relevant underwriters through the Marsh-managed programme made available direct from the TradeCard system. Even claims processing takes place in a paperless environment. Cargo insurance through Marsh aims to complement credit insurance provided though Coface.

Banks' enhanced offerings In banking, First Commercial Bank has established a new alliance with TradeCard while Bank SinoPac and Chinatrust Commerical Bank have expanded their existing relationships with the online cross-border trade network.

First Commercial Bank is to offer export financing to TradeCard sellers in Taiwan. Bank SinoPac will now provide export financing to TradeCard sellers in the US in addition to Taiwanese sellers. As well as offering export finance to sellers, Chinatrust Commercial Bank will now sell and market TradeCard to its customers.

New technology partners Singapore's e-commerce solutions provider, IPACS, is to integrate its services with TradeCard. This alliance will provide TradeCard members direct online access to global logistics services through IPACS' logistics service hub -- d2dLogistics.com. Members of both TradeCard and d2dLogistics.com will be able to track their trade transactions as well as access logistics companies, which can track the status of shipments online through a web browser.

San Francisco-based Capstan Systems Inc., which specialises in global supply chain execution, has also allied with TradeCard. The alliance aims to provide common customers comprehensive visibility and control of their global supply chain operations from fulfilment -including shipping, clearance and receipt of goods to aspects of financial management, such as order negotiation and management, landed cost, trade financing and settlement.

This article represents the views of the author and not necessarily those of the ICC or any of the other partners in DC-PRO.