Alan Keir, Global Head of Commercial Banking

In a time of uncertainty, most businesses place even more importance on ensuring that their decisions are based on cold, hard, facts. Numbers which demonstrate trends, facts which support opinions, and data to back up your hunch; these numbers become the backbone of business strategies, driving global business around the world.

As HSBC Commercial Bank, we work with international businesses every day, in every corner of the world, who are constantly on the lookout for the newest trends, backed up by the most robust numbers. Today, I'm pleased to share with these companies the HSBC Trade Connections report, a new set of data points which, I believe, provide the first comprehensive exploration of current and future opportunities for businesses operating internationally.

We have brought together trade data from around the world with lead indicators of world trade and macro-economic trend information, combined with a snapshot of real time confidence scores from traders like you and your suppliers, to ground these forecast predictions in the reality of our world today.

The data launched in the reports today shows that in the short term, trade volumes are still set to grow, though rates of growth are somewhat flattened by the current economic climate. In line with the data, the TCI results show that despite a dip in confidence the majority of international businesses across the world are planning for international business to grow or remain consistent in coming months.

In times like these, we have to be realistic about the economic headwinds. But the clear message, demonstrated by both sets of data, is that international business, and the business of trade, will continue to drive growth.

The predicted rate of growth of 2% year on year represents a volume increase of 8% by 2015, with international trade activity growing, on average, by just under $1trillion a year between now and 2015. Overall, the report predicts trade growth of 73% by 2025.

New powerhouses are opening up, with Egypt, India, Vietnam, China and Brazil driving growth as they industrialise rapidly. We're redefining the definition of a trade hub, and we're seeing a significant shift in global supply chains as businesses adapt to maximise these opportunities by diversifying in to faster growing markets.

We've produced 36 country reports, which you can download from this site on a quarterly basis. Please share your thoughts and feedback on the reports with us through your relationship manager.

Thank you,

Alan Keir