Despite a background of economic uncertainty, more than half of Australian small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to invest in growth this year, according to research by NAB.
But optimism alone doesn’t drive expansion. Businesses looking to scale or enter new markets need access to reliable funding. For growth-focused businesses, Trade Finance can be a tactical tool to enable faster business growth.
“Every business wants to grow,” says Sam Ralton, Director of Working Capital Solutions VIC, TAS, SA at Octet. “It’s really a matter of whether they want to grow quickly or take their time. If they’re looking to scale faster, Trade Finance can help them do just that.”
Using trade finance to strengthen your business financing strategy
While many businesses see Trade Finance as a short-term solution they can use to bridge temporary cash flow gaps, it can also be a powerful tool for funding business growth, allowing businesses to seize opportunities without draining their cash reserves.
From increasing purchasing power to de-risking expansion and managing external shocks, here are three ways Trade Finance can support your business growth.
1. Accelerate business growth by unlocking your purchasing potential
For importers and exporters, growth often hinges on how quickly they can secure and sell stock. The slower the cycle, the more capital gets trapped in inventory. Trade Finance unlocks the ability to act earlier and at greater scale.
“You’re multiplying your purchasing power – and that speeds up growth,” said Sam. “You’re not waiting for sales to free up cash, which means you can capture opportunities you might have missed.”
It’s not just about volume, either. Faster procurement can help you secure in-demand stock ahead of competitors, as well as improving supplier relationships and securing early payment discounts.
2. Use Trade Finance to enter new markets with confidence
Entering a new product category or geographic market often means laying out capital before revenue is guaranteed.
Many businesses remain concerned about the impacts of the US tariffs and trade tensions with China, but despite the recent softening, the risks of market expansion will never completely disappear, notes Sam. He adds that Trade Finance can help businesses test demand without overcommitting.
“If you’ve done your forecasting and calculations, and understand the markets you’re entering, Trade Finance can absolutely help you enter a new market faster.”
This kind of agility is especially valuable in uncertain or fast-moving sectors, where the timing of a market entry can determine its success. By using Trade Finance to fund an initial wave of stock or supplier agreements, businesses can assess early performance and scale their commitment accordingly.
3. Financing strategies to navigate cost and supply chain risks
Trade Finance also offers advantages in today’s unpredictable market conditions. When tariffs shift, interest rates rise or global shipping delays threaten supply chains, being able to act early can protect margins.
While some businesses prefer to wait out the uncertainty, others are using finance to secure goods now, at today’s prices, says Sam. “If you think costs are going to rise, then securing good pricing now becomes possible with Trade Finance.”
“There’s always going to be uncertainty,” Sam notes. “You can think the world’s going to end, but you still have to go out, buy goods, sell them, and keep moving. You can panic and do nothing – or you can just keep trying to grow your business.”
Proactive business financing strategies for faster growth
In an uncertain economy, it’s often the ability to act decisively that separates high-growth businesses from the rest.
For SMEs with solid forecasting and a clear strategy, Trade Finance can be an enabler of growth – not just a financial safety net. “It’s about being proactive with your finance,” says Sam. “Structuring your business so you can grow quicker, rather than waiting.”
Instead of relying solely on retained earnings or reacting to financial pressure, businesses can use Trade Finance as a tool to support expansion and respond to opportunities as they arise. When growth is the goal, waiting for organic momentum to build may mean missing the moment.
Power your growing business
Scaling your business in 2025? Octet’s flexible working capital solutions can align with your growth strategy to optimise cash flow, fund global supplier payments and seize opportunities. Talk to our supply chain finance experts today and we’ll help you find the best option to accelerate your business growth.
Disclaimer: These comments are only our views and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgment. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgment as at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice.
