#12 - Delayed payments, a struggling supply chain—yet the U.S. reclaims the Panama Canal

🌍 Global Outlook

Chaos in Amsterdam: €200 Million in Invoices Frozen

Imagine providing services to the public sector and not getting paid for months. That’s exactly what’s happening in Amsterdam, where a faulty new billing system has frozen around €200 million in payments, leaving 29,000 invoices stuck.

The city adopted the new AFIS payment system, but technical issues caused 21,000 invoices to be blocked in a single day, pushing the backlog to a staggering €450 million. A €700,000 emergency fund and a 30-person task force have now been allocated to resolve the crisis.

Many businesses are struggling, and the VVD party has raised the alarm, warning that some suppliers may go bankrupt without payment. The city expects to unlock payments by May, and has meanwhile opened an emergency help desk for those in crisis. Invoices under €250 will be paid immediately, while others may face further delays.

The key takeaway? Don’t choose the wrong digital partner

Mistakes during system transitions can be extremely costly—especially when billions of euros and thousands of suppliers are at stake. The Amsterdam case is a warning to every organization: digital transformation must be planned carefully, and choosing the right partner is crucial.

For now, Dutch suppliers are waiting. And hoping.

🔗 Source: https://procurementmag.com/digital-procurement/why-amsterdam-has-invoice-backlog

Panama Canal Back in U.S. Hands: BlackRock and Italy’s Aponte Buy Ports from China

BlackRock, GIP, and Gianluigi Aponte’s TIL have struck a $17.5 billion deal to acquire the port division of CK Hutchison Holdings, including the Panama Ports Company, which manages the key ports of Balboa and Cristobal on the Panama Canal.

Donald Trump had pledged to bring the Canal back under American influence—and now that plan is becoming a reality. The BlackRock-led consortium will acquire 90% of Hutchison’s Panamanian port operations and 80% of its global port assets across 23 countries.

This move follows pressure from Trump, who criticized Panama for handing too much control to China. In January, Panama’s prosecutor already called for the revocation of Hutchison’s port concessions, which had been renewed in 2021 until 2047.

What does this mean for global trade?
The Panama Canal is a critical artery for international commerce, with over 14,000 ships passing through each year—accounting for roughly 5% of global trade. The shift from Chinese to American hands is a major geopolitical move amid rising U.S.-China tensions.

🔗 Sources:
https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2025/03/04/canale-panama-blackrock-porti-cina
https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/25_marzo_04/il-canale-di-panama-torna-americano-blackrock-con-l-italiano-aponte-compra-i-porti-dai-cinesi-di-hutchison-f1c81482-4c17-4b43-8ff9-a8ff3349axlk.shtml

🖼️ Meme of the Day

When the sales team promises the moon to clients and procurement has to chase after it… guess who pays the price? 👀

No joke—https://www.compri.ai/en/ gives superpowers to procurement teams.

⚖️ Compliance Focus

🚨 EUFLR: Are You Ready for the New Forced Labor Ban?

Starting December 14, 2027, the European Union will ban the sale and export of any product linked—even in part—to forced labor. It doesn’t matter what sector you’re in, how big your company is, or where your products come from: if your supply chain isn’t clean, your goods could be pulled from the market and destroyed.

The EU Forced Labor Regulation (EUFLR) is one of the strictest regulations ever introduced, with direct impacts on imports, exports, and supply chains. Waiting until 2027 is a mistake—inspections begin as early as 2025.

Download the full guide to learn:

• How to vet your suppliers and avoid customs blocks

• Key regulation dates and when to act

• The penalties involved (spoiler: they’re tough)

• Compliance strategies to safeguard your business

Read the full guide and protect your supply chain! Click here → https://www.compri.ai/en/articles/what-is-euflr