Standard Chartered Reveals the Future of Trade Report.

Global goods trade is predicted to hit USD32.6tn in the next decade, with Asia, Africa and the Middle East driving 44 per cent of exports

Business leaders highlight top five potential disruptions to global supply chains

Digital supply chain finance solutions could uplift exports by USD791bn in 13 markets

New research by Standard Chartered reveals trade corridors in Asia, Africa and the Middle East are set to outpace the global growth rate by close to four percentage points, driving export volumes in these regions from USD 9tn in 2021 to USD14.4tn by 2030. Global trade over the same period is set to reach USD32.6tn, from USD21tn in 2021, according to the report titled Future of Trade 2030: New growth corridors.

Thirteen key markets are expected to account for 73 per cent of all exports and 69 per cent of all imports in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East by 2030, with a combined total trade value of USD19.7tn, based on analysis of historical trade data and projections until 2030. Mainland China, India and South Korea top the list by volume.

Simon Cooper, CEO of Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking and CEO, Europe and Americas, Standard Chartered, said: "Global trade continues to present growth opportunities within and across some of the world's most dynamic regions. This research underlines how businesses are diversifying their sourcing and manufacturing decisions and offers practical insights into how this is playing out around the globe. In particular, the adoption of digital supply chain finance solutions could have a game-changing impact on export growth."

International trade is projected to move away from the West, shifting southward and outward. South Asia will be the fastest-growing export region, driven by strong trade ties with neighbouring regions, including a recent free trade agreement between India and the UAE and Bangladesh's plans to establish more than 100 special economic zones by 2030.

Table: High-growth corridors in ASEAN, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East will outpace the global trade growth rate of 5 per cent by 2030

Corridor Average Annual Growth Rate (2021-2030) Size (USD 2030)

Intra###- ASEAN 8.7%###0.8tn

South Asia - ASEAN 8.6%###0.3tn

South Asia - Africa 8.2% 0.2tn

...