Blockchain-based Supply Chain Financing Solutions for Qatar

Abstract

When it comes to trade, operations or expansion, access to finance from conventional sources such as financial institutions (FIs) can become a major hurdle for companies (International Chamber of Commerce [ICC], 2020). This is especially the case for firms that fall under the small, medium enterprise (SME) category due to either lacking financial strength or being relatively new to the market and therefore lacking credit history. Due to the smaller size of SMEs in comparison to larger corporate customers, FIs and banks alike do not seem to be addressing SME demand for more flexible financing options (Ash, 2018). According to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank, there exists a 1.5 trillion (US) dollar gap in terms of unmet trade financing requests worldwide (Asian Development Bank [ADB], 2017). Furthermore, the report adds that 74% of rejected trade finance requests come from SMEs and midcap firms. By 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projects that the trade financing gap could increase to a whopping 2.5 trillion (US) dollars globally, further exacerbating the situation for SMEs in developing countries (MarcoPolo, 2020). This is also worsened by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.