*Published in Business Focus (19 May 2025), Author: Linus Lau
In the fast-paced race of global trade, exporters are like finely-tuned machines—only when cash flow runs smoothly can they keep moving forward steadily. But the reality is often harsh: delayed payments after shipment, difficulty assessing buyer risk, and tedious accounts receivable management—all of these can cause exporters to stall.
Enter Tradewind, with 25 years of cross-border financing experience, acting like a professional timekeeper—adjusting every gear with precision to ensure exporters stay on beat and business runs uninterrupted.
A Trusted Global Trade Partner
“Every exporter matters to us. Our mission is to help their international business grow without worry,” said Dickson Au, CEO of Tradewind Far East, in an exclusive interview with BusinessFocus.
Dickson Au, Regional CEO – Far East, at Tradewind Hong Kong
“That’s not just a slogan—it’s a commitment we’ve kept for 25 years.”
From Germany to the World
Founded in Germany in 2000, Tradewind focuses on international trade finance. Since its early days of accounts receivable financing, it has offered non-recourse export factoring, providing exporters with flexible, secure, and fast capital support.
“We’ve inherited German precision, but we continue to innovate,” Dickson shared. In 2024, Tradewind launched a new customer platform called Tradewind+, streamlining complex processes. Exporters may now complete the onboarding process via the Tradewind+ platform, now they just need to fill in their company details online, and Tradewind handles the rest—freeing them to focus on business growth.
Tackling Global Trade Finance Challenges
Exporters around the world face common challenges: slow cash flow and high credit risk. Statistics show 72.5% of trade payments are delayed, with average collection days at 56.7 days. In 2022, the global trade finance gap reached USD 2.5 trillion. Traditional banks impose high barriers and slow processing, while fintech startups often lack industry experience and credibility.
This is where Tradewind steps in.
Tailored Services That Target Real Pain Points
Tradewind’s flagship offering—non-recourse export factoring—is customized for each business. Including but not limited to payment terms such as O/A, D/P, D/A, CAD, or usance L/C, Tradewind provides suitable solutions.
Key services include:
Fast cash turnaround: Up to 90% of the invoice value may be received within 48 hours of shipment.
Credit insurance and risk management: Real-time monitoring of buyer credit to help avoid bad debts additionally Tradewind bears the risk of the buyer’s insolvency.
Accounts receivable management: Local professional teams, including lawyers in Europe and the US, offer collection and bookkeeping support—saving time and effort.
Even better: No guarantee required, does not affect your balance sheet, and credit limits may grow alongside your sales!
Real Cases Prove Real Strength
Dickson recalled: “Fraud tactics are evolving. Over the years, we’ve helped clients detect fake buyers from online or trade shows—avoiding potentially catastrophic losses.”
This goes beyond digital tools—it’s the result of years of accumulated expertise, global insight, and sharp judgement.
Global Team, 24/7 Support
Tradewind’s professional team spans over 15 countries and regions, covering all major time zones. Whether you’re in Hong Kong, mainland China, Europe, or the US, you can get timely support.
For example, a Hong Kong plastic trading company with over 20 years of history recently switched from a major local bank to Tradewind. They received over HKD 10 million in unsecured revolving financing to support global transactions with more than 30 buyers. In Southeast Asia, Tradewind provides flexible financing to exporters in rubber, frozen seafood, apparel, toys, furniture, and bulk commodities.
Trusted by Over 20 Industries
Tradewind doesn’t limit by industry. As long as an exporter extends trade credit and wishes to optimize its cash flow, they qualify. From textiles, food, auto parts, to electronics and chemicals—Tradewind has helped companies across more than 20 industries.
Even young exporters less than 2 years old with modest balance sheets, but solid buyer credit, have grown quickly—scaling financing from USD 300K to USD 1.7 million within 6 months.
Next Step: Deepen APAC Presence
Looking ahead, Tradewind plans to expand its team in Shanghai and Hong Kong and focus further on emerging Southeast Asian markets—continuing to provide expert financial services for exporters.
Tradewind: A Long-Term Partner for Exporters
Exporters must run like precision watches—every second counts in global competition. Tradewind is the gold-standard partner behind the scenes, helping them move fast and steady.
Over the past 25 years, Tradewind has helped countless businesses resolve capital issues and credit risks—steadily expanding their global footprint.
As Dickson says: “No matter how the market changes, we stand by our exporters—monitoring their buyer’s credit risk and helping them achieve long-term success and sustainable gr owth.”
Act Now: Tradewind is offering 5 free buyer credit checks—scan the QR code to learn more!
