![handshake-2998302_1280.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdpW6ebtkizAK8mF8Xb2QACKgHVJSxiv6uEyaBGDHzpSr/handshake-2998302_1280.jpg) [Image Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/handshake-business-hand-2998302//)

Introduction

In the recent years and with the way the digital world have really transformed to become something valuable, it has helped to transform a lot of sector. That which started with the crypto space years ago have grown to become something magnificent and it is really a beautiful thing to see that the uses of the Blockchain technology continues to spread even beyond the crypto space but every covering every single aspect of the world and one of the aspect I will like to talk about today is the supply chain management. With it's distinct features like the security, trust and transparency, it has helped greatly to help reshape the global trade to be something new beyond what we use to know it to be. It has makes the supply chain management much more effective than before and I am so sure that this is just the starting, the future is still bright.

Blockchain Basics: Understanding the Technology

The world Blockchain does not need any introduction any longer as it has been able to carved a name for itself in the digital space. Blockchain has been so useful to help make sure that effectiveness and security of transactions is on another level. What do I mean by that? Blockchain been Decentralised in nature, it helps to make sure that every transactions carried out on the platform is secured, Transparent and not only that but also immutable. ![world-trade-7178790_1280.webp](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWF9UNUcruER2C9qsNQjKJAiF7NznE9RJ44FDC7DvN8hG/world-trade-7178790_1280.webp) [Image Source](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/world-trade-globalization-7178790/) The fact that each transaction is been done on a block have been able to help to create links of records. The immutability feature means that once those transactions are carried out on the Blockchain, it can not be altered as it allows transparency and trust. Blockchain allows various computers to be able to work together to create a network that allows users in different networks to be able to participate and have access to same data.

Challenges in International Trade and Supply Chains

Coming to talk talk about the major challenges that the international trade and supply chain is facing, there are a lot of challenges that is attached to the international trade and supply chain system. The first is the complexity of the network of the manufacturers. Not even only limited to that, there are also challenges that is faced with the suppliers, shippers and even retailers that sometimes leads to communication gaps. Most of the time also, the issue of paperwork always leads to fraud and even counterfeiting. Consumers and regulatory authorities also is one of the challenges that is faced in international trade. The beauty of the Blockchain technology is the fact that it comes to settle those challenges in a way whereby it offers this transparency that for decades in the international trade have been missing. With the Blockchain technology, companies find it easy to track their goods and products across the supply chain used for to deliver for the consumers. This is really massive.

Blockchain’s Role in Streamlining International Trade

Talking about the role that Blockchain plays for international trade, I will start by establishing that the fact that it have this Decentralised nature, it helps to increase more efficiency during which international trade is been carried out. With the Blockchain, you can be able to carry out databases that can help connect and link together a lot of stakeholders, shippers, suppliers and even manufacturers to come together. Not only that, as many of us know, we are in the digital era where everything is automated and not only manually restricted. With the feature of smart contracts that the Blockchain technology possesses, it has the ability of automation of trade processes which helps to increase payments and also other agreements. With the smart contracts, it helps to make sure that there is no delay and disputes and helps to reinforce contracts that exist between intermediaries when trading. ![globe-599486_1280.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQweHihZDvFaqmBtJZ88XfTd2X7xHj3V2uE3Qh7K1SasY/globe-599486_1280.jpg) [Image Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/globe-africa-europe-continents-map-599486/) The last one I will like to talk about is the Security feature and the fraud prevention that happens. The fact that Blockchain is immutable in nature makes it hard for any transactions to be altered as far as it is recorded. Any transactions carried out on the Blockchain cannot be altered or deleted. This helps to protect against fraud, manipulation and other criminal related activities within the supply chain. Then lastly, it helps to build trust and helps to achieve Transparency. The Blockchain world is very transparent in nature and should not be joked with. Blockchain helps to verify certifications and helping to make sure that they all meet the environmental standards. This goes a long way to avoid regulatory issues I talked about early and thereby helping to foster international trade to be carried out across the supply chain.

Conclusion

As I conclude, what I have just written here today is just a tip to show that the Blockchain world have the ability to actually transform the international trade and even beyond. I am so sure that we will still witness more of the uses of the Blockchain technology and beyond because it possesses a lot of features like the transparency and the immutability feature which will go a long way to increase the efficiency of the international trade much more.