Securitas Global Risk Solutions is pleased to note that it will once again be participating in the 2019 EXIM Conference, to be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC from March 28-29, 2019. The annual event showcases the work of the EXIM Bank and brings together over 1000 business leaders, government officials and foreign dignitaries from across the world with an interest in promoting U.S. exports.
The EXIM Bank is an independent and self-sustaining federal agency that provides a range of trade financing solutions – including loan guarantees, working capital guarantees, direct loans, and export credit insurance – to promote the sale of U.S. goods and services to foreign buyers. To learn more about the range of products offered by the EXIM Bank, click here.
The focus of this year’s conference will be the role of trade in promoting national security, as well as highlighting EXIM’s role in assisting American energy and manufacturing sectors. The program will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, as well as ample networking time for participants to discuss best practices, and export opportunities.
As a certified EXIM broker, Securitas assists U.S. exporters to identify, implement and manage the appropriate EXIM export trade credit insurance program to meet their goals of sustained and secure long-term growth. Securitas provides these services at no additional cost to the exporter. In 2015, Securitas was named EXIM Broker of The Year.
Securitas is ready to help businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interested in pursuing an export strategy and learn how to access EXIM’s export trade credit insurance programs.
Securitas Global Risk Solutions is delighted to announce that Pamela Bates has joined our team to provide customized solutions to mitigate credit and investment risk in global markets. Pamela will be based in Virginia, where, in addition to risk mitigation, she will provide strategic and policy advice to assist our clients in navigating international business opportunities. Working for the U.S. Department of State for over two decades as a foreign service officer, Pamela managed U.S. diplomatic efforts on energy, information technology and government procurement issues. In addition, she earned an MBA from the Wharton School. Pamela brings the skills, knowledge and network to support our clients’ international expansion goals.
International markets provide outstanding opportunities for U.S. exporters to diversify their customer base. Securitas provides risk mitigation strategies to help reduce the uncertainty associated with approaching new markets. Pamela will concentrate on solutions ranging from mitigating private sector credit risk, sovereign contract frustration risk, financing international trade, protecting equity investments against political risk, along with government relations strategies, to bring products to global markets.
Having previously lived and worked in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Brazil, Pamela has an extensive network of contacts around the world. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and French, along with English. While a State Department employee, she taught classes on diplomatic tradecraft, including how to evaluate sources of risk. In addition to her MBA, Pamela earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College in Maine and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Its mission is to support American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services. It does so by assuming credit risk, primarily through two programs – extending export credit insurance for exporters and providing working capital guarantees. These programs are available to companies of any size with 80% of authorizations are to SBA defined small business.
The Current State:
EXIM is congressionally authorized through 2019. While this seems several years from now, it’s important to note the last two authorizations have been tenuous, including a period in 2015 when its charter lapsed for six months. President Obama and congressional Democrats generally supported EXIM through this period, however there was an influential group of House Republicans that held up authorization process.
In addition to upcoming the re-authorization debate, EXIM also lacks three board members. Therefore, it does not have the quorum required to approve authorizations over $10MM.
The new administration brings renewed and increased speculation regarding the future of EXIM. President Trump campaigned on a platform of reduced government and seemed less friendly toward global trade. However, he heavily emphasized his business background and experience, which included strong support of U.S. manufacturers and small businesses, both of which he believes are critical to economic growth.
Against this backdrop, members of the Securitas team attended the EXIM 2017 Annual Conference on April 7-8 to learn more about the bank’s future.
Key Takeaways:
95% of global population and 80% of global GDP is outside the U.S.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there are 32 countries with Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) that compete with the U.S.
Exports will become even more critical in helping the U.S. grow its GDP, reduce the debt and balance the budget.
In order to compete globally against China, the U.S. needs to increase its support of exports. For example, the U.S. EXIM Bank supported $10 billion in authorizations in 2015. In comparison, China supported $500+ billion in exports through EXIM-China, China Development Bank and Sinosure).
Jobs created by export-related business tend to pay an estimated 18% more according to the International Trade Administration.
During a panel discussion regarding the future of EXIM, congressional members Jack Ryan, R-PA and Chris Collins R-NY both indicated President Trump fully supported the bank and recognized the need to support U.S. exporters though tax policy and regulation reform. They further indicated his commitment to a fully functioning bank by filling the vacancies on its board with immediate appointment approval of three new board members.
While there is still internal debate within the Republican caucus regarding the future of EXIM, it does appear the agency has the backing of President Trump and will continue to be an important tool in the U.S. government’s toolbox to support exports.
Most Americans did not expect the quick succession of events in Ukraine leading to the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych or the emergence of Crimea as a flashpoint in Ukraine-Russia relations. The situation in Crimea is just the most recent example of how quickly and unexpectedly the international political and economic landscape can change. These changes can adversely impact U.S. business people and investors who have exposure in places such as Russia and Ukraine.
For example, the U.S. and EU have introduced a series of selective sanctions against Russia and some individuals for their role in the current crisis but have indicated that broader sanctions against certain sectors of the Russian economy are possible. Russia has responded by putting a travel ban in place for several American officials. One of the Russians included in the U.S. sanctions, parliamentarian Andrei Klishasa, went further- introducing a bill to allowing for the confiscation, expropriation and nationalization of western assets in response to these U.S. / EU sanctions although it is unclear whether this bill will gain any momentum. Given the interconnectedness of the global economy (including Europe’s reliance on Russia for about 30% of its natural gas), a widening of the crisis or quid pro quo sanctions could impact U.S. businesses with exposure in Russia, Ukraine or Europe.
Fortunately there are solutions which can mitigate the risk of loss due to political risks. These solutions include coverage against political violence, war, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, forced abandonment and selective discrimination. In addition to coverage, these solutions often provide access to a global network of experts who continually monitor political risk in emerging or frontier markets.
The deterioration of relations between Russia and the U.S. and Europe and events in Crimea are a reminder of the value of protecting your investments and assets (fixed, mobile or inventory) against the perils of political risk. You may also wish to consider protecting your trade receivables against buyer non-payment especially for your international accounts.