Export Credit Financing Systems in OECD Member Countries and Non-Member Economies

Financing is essential for international trade, and the world's official export credit agencies play a vital role by providing, loans, guarantees and insurance for such finance. This publication offers a comprehensive description of the official export credit systems of OECD Member countries and non-Member economies. These systems, taken together, account for the overwhelming majority of the export credit support provided by governments globally. This publication also includes the latest version of the Arrangement for Officially Supported Export Credits; this agreement which regulates the provisions of official export credit support is recognised in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM). The disciplines of the Arrangement cover, inter alia, official financing support, maximum repayment terms, minimum risk premiums and trade-related aid for projects, goods and services sold on credit terms of two years or more. This publication also includes the complementary agreements on flexible terms for project finance transactions and on renewable energies and water projects.Additionally, this publication provides information about important work being undertaken by the OECD's Working Party on Export Credits and Credit Guarantees regarding the relation between officially supported export credits and broader concerns of Member governments and civil society, including environmental issues, efforts to combat bribery, and debt sustainability of highly indebted poor countries. In this context, the OECD Recommendation on Environment and Officially Supported export Credits, adopted by the OECD Council at the end of 2003, is also included in the publication.