'The World Bank Group today announced the launch of a coordinated global initiative that brings together governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), and private sector banks to support trade in developing markets and address the shortage of trade finance resulting from the global financial crisis.

The Global Trade Liquidity Program will begin operations in May, channeling much-needed funds to back trade in developing countries. With targeted initial commitments of $5 billion from public sector sources, the program should be able to support up to $50 billion of trade. It raises funds from international finance and development institutions, governments, and banks, and it works through global and regional banks to extend trade finance to importers and exporters in developing countries.'