Export credit agencies play an important role in international trade and investment flows. Exports insured or financed by the approximately 50 export credit agencies that are members of the Berne Union account for about 10 percent of their countries exports, which, in turn, represent about 78 percent of world exports. The IMF estimates that in 1997 debts to Berne Union members accounted for more than 21 percent of the total indebtedness of developing countries and economies in transition. Edited by Malcolm Stephens, this book provides useful background information to those whose involvement in international trade and investment brings them into contact with the services of export credit agencies.

This paper assesses the issues of government involvement in international trade finance stemming from the recent changes in global financial markets. This study is based on discussions with representatives of export credit agencies during the period from October 2003 to May 2004. A survey of 27 agencies provided valuable insights. Financial flows facilitated by official export credit agencies are large in comparison with official development assistance and gross lending by international financial institutions to developing countries. However, the importance of officially supported trade finance has been declining relative to the rapid expansion of world trade and total capital flows to developing countries. The study highlights the key challenges facing official export credit agencies, including complementing the private sector, facilitating financing to low-income countries while helping maintain these countries’ debt sustainability, and playing a positive role in the area of trade finance in international efforts to address emerging market financial crises.

Drawing on US and international sources Ray traces the development of international rules governing the use of official export credits and makes specific proposals for reducing their cost through enhanced international cooperation. Ray also includes basic documents dealing with export credits and aid-credit competition; these will provide an invaluable reference library for those concerned with export credit policy.

This study discusses the importance of export credits, their recent growth, and the trend toward more extensive reliance by official bilateral creditors on export credits as an instrument of financial support, and raises a number of issues regarding the role and limitations of export credit financing, espeically for economies in transition.

This book provides a brief explanation of the government agencies programmes (i.e. type of export financing, eligibility, terms, fees, etc.) and specific contact information for next step action. In addition, there are a number of case studies that provide examples of how these government programs have successfully been used.

This is the 1998 Arrangement. This Arrangement provides the institutional framework for an orderly export credit market; it aims to prevent an export credit race in which exporting countries compete on the basis of who grants the most favourable financing terms rather than on price and quality.

A comprehensive description of the official export credit systems of OECD Member countries and non-member economies.