Strengthening Access to Trade Finance
CIC acknowledges the recent announcement of Marubeni Corporation’s additional equity investment in ZMA Smart Capital Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based trade finance company. Both ZMA and CIC are part of the broader Zall Group ecosystem, with Zall-affiliated entities holding shareholder positions in each. A signing ceremony was held in Wuhan on 21 March 2025, marking a continued commitment to enhancing trade finance capacity within the broader ecosystem.
Since its establishment, ZMA has provided trade finance services to users of CIC’s international B2B digital platforms, helping businesses access financing for cross-border transactions. Transaction volumes have grown steadily since Marubeni’s initial investment in 2019, reflecting the increasing demand for trade finance solutions. The latest investment is expected to enhance ZMA’s ability to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those facing challenges in accessing foreign currency and issuing letters of credit.
“We’re pleased to witness this milestone within our wider group ecosystem. As a Singapore-based digital trade platform, CIC remains committed to developing reliable infrastructure that enables businesses, especially SMEs, to participate more confidently and flexibly in cross-border trade. It’s encouraging to see continued momentum around solutions that enhance trade finance, which aligns closely with our mission. Additionally, it is meaningful and rewarding to see CIC’s platform contribute to the ongoing success and progress of global marketplace.”—— Gloria Wu, CEO of CIC
From left to right: Mr. Yu Wei (Representative of ZMA), Mr. Qi Zhiping (CEO of Zall Group)，Mr. TaroKawabe (Executive Officer, COO, Finance, Leasing and Real Estate Business Div. of Marubeni), Mr. HideyukiMatsuda (General Manager, Finance & Leasing Dept. of Marubeni)
Enabling Scalable Digital Trade Finance
According to Marubeni, the strengthened financial capacity of ZMA will contribute to the expansion of online financing services and facilitate broader international trade, including activity enabled through CIC’s platform. This aligns with CIC’s ongoing mission to provide reliable digital infrastructure that supports greater accessibility and transparency in global trade, especially for growing enterprises navigating complex markets.
CIC’s Role in the Ecosystem
While CIC is not a direct party to the investment, its platform continues to play a supporting role in enabling digital trade finance within the ecosystem. Marubeni has noted that the investment will help expand international trade based on CIC’s platform, an indication of the platform’s relevance in the broader trade and financing landscape. CIC remains committed to providing secure, data-driven infrastructure that connects businesses and partners across borders.
Advancing the Future of Digital Trade Finance
Headquartered in Singapore, CIC is part of a region widely regarded as a hub for trade finance and digital innovation. This latest development reflects the importance of technology-enabled solutions in supporting sustainable global trade. CIC will continue to enhance its platform to meet the evolving needs of partners and users within the international trade ecosystem.
Read the official announcement by Marubeni Corporation
About CIC
Commodity Intelligence Centre Pte. Ltd. (CIC) is a Singapore-based digital trade platform established through a joint venture between Zall Group, CrimsonLogic eTrade (Asia) Pte. Ltd., and Singapore Exchange Ltd. CIC supports the development of reliable infrastructure for cross-border trade for businesses.
As part of its offering, CIC operates TradeData Pro, a global trade intelligence platform that provides access to detailed data across international markets. By enabling businesses to make informed, data-driven decisions, TradeData Pro complements CIC’s broader role in supporting platforms and ecosystem partners involved in trade finance and cross-border operations.
