*EPF412 02/17/00
Text: Ex-Im Bank Press Release on Private Capital Partnerships
(Financial institutions would share risks, fees) (440)

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has asked private banks and other financial institutions to submit proposals about sharing Ex-Im Bank's work in providing loan guarantees and risk insurance to U.S. exports.

In a February 16 press release Ex-Im Bank announced this policy departure, which invites proposals from foreign as well as U.S. banks, insurance companies and investment firms.

Ex-Im Bank would essentially make the private financial institutions partners in export financing deals, allowing them to share Ex-Im Bank's fees in return for sharing the risks. Such partnerships would allow Ex-Im Bank to finance more exports with its limited resources.

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

Export-Import Bank Interested in Partnering with Private Capital Markets on Financial Risk

Sharing for Medium-term and Long-term Loan Guarantees and Insurance Programs Public Invitation to Submit Proposals Issued February 16, More Information at www.exim.gov.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is soliciting proposals to undertake an unprecedented public/private sector partnership that would create a facility for the transfer or sharing of risk under its medium-term and long-term loan guarantee and medium-term insurance programs. Ex-Im Bank is issuing an Invitation to Submit Proposals (ISP) that would involve creating a risk transfer structure involving the private sector capital markets which would also be cost effective for the Ex-Im Bank.

Interested parties should obtain a copy of the ISP from Ex-Im Bank's web site at www.exim.gov/isp.html . A two-week period from February 16 - 29, 2000, has been set aside for the submission of questions regarding the ISP. All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to [email protected] by February 29, 2000.

On March 7, 2000 a pre-proposal conference will be held at Ex-Im Bank to address the written questions submitted under the above deadline regarding the ISP. Interested parties that are unable to attend the pre-proposal conference in person may participate via telephone. Registrations will only be accepted via e-mail and should be sent to [email protected] . Registration details and calling instructions are available in the ISP and online at www.exim.gov/isp.html.

Information about the ISP and about Ex-Im Bank in general, is available at www.exim.gov/isp.html. Specifically, this site contains a copy of the ISP, which describes the required parameters for proposals and a timeline for the development and submission stages. Also on this site is information on Ex-Im Bank programs, credit processes, fee revenue, activity and default history.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
NNNN