SMEs Getting Into Mexico With Ex-Im Help

Ex-Im Bank authorized $1.7 billion in financing in fiscal year 2005 to support U.S. exports to Mexico, the Bank's largest market.

“Small businesses are where the greatest potential for U.S. export growth lies,” said John Emens, Ex-Im Bank senior vice president, Small Business. “That's why financing exports from this sector is a critical Ex-Im Bank priority.” The Bank is reaching out to small companies to guide them how to access Ex-Im Bank financing products in order to successfully compete in global markets, he added.

In addition to credit insurance that protects U.S. exporters' receivables against nonpayment, Ex-Im Bank offers loan guarantees to foreign buyers to provide them with competitive credit, and working capital loan guarantees to U.S. companies for pre-export financing.

Of Ex-Im Bank's medium-term portfolio-transactions under $10 million or under 7 years in total term-over 50 percent of the $1.2 billion supports transactions with Mexico.