HSBC has appointed Tim Evans as head of trade and supply chain, for the Middle East and North Africa. Most recently regional chief operating officer of HSBC’s commercial banking business in the region, Tim has previously held senior roles in trade in the US and Hong Kong. “Trade and supply chain is one of our most important businesses, and I am delighted that someone of Evans’s proven experience and expertise is going to be leading it in the MENA region,” said Tim Reid, regional head of commercial banking. “As global trade flows move from the developed world to the emerging markets, the MENA region is a critical hub for the global economy, and HSBC is at the centre of this trend with its unrivalled regional and global connectivity,” he said.Asia has overtaken Europe as the MENA’s primary trading partner, while trade within the region is growing at an annual rate of 17.6%, according to the IMF. With its presence in 14 MENA countries, HSBC is the largest international bank and the market-leading trade finance bank in the region. HSBC’s MENA commercial banking business reported profits of $484mn in 2010. Evans said: “HSBC is committed to growing its trade finance business, particularly in the Middle East. This region is well positioned to take advantage of international trade flows and our customers will continue to be beneficiaries of this. We look forward to being able to work with them to take advantage of this important opportunity”.