Trade Financing

International Trade Finance Guides
The U.S. Trade Information Center Export Programs Guide and the Journal of Commerce Guide to the Finance of International Trade are good resources providing an overview of export finance resources.

U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of International Trade
The SBA offers several trade financing programs.  Contact Nancy Libersky, SBA International Trade Specialist, at  612-348-1642 for additional information about your accessing SBA financing programs.

Export-Import Bank of the United States
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services through a variety of insurance, loan and guarantee programs.  Minnesota-based companies should contact Jan Blaho at the Ex-Im Bank office in Chicago at  312- 353-8072 for assistance.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
OPIC supports U.S. investment in emerging markets worldwide, fostering development and growth of free markets. OPIC Financing provides medium- to long-term funding through direct loans and loan guaranties to eligible investment projects in developing countries and emerging markets. By complementing the private sector, OPIC can provide financing in countries where conventional financial institutions often are reluctant or unable to lend on such a basis.

Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP)
MDCP is a competitive matching funds program that builds public/private partnerships by providing federal assistance to non-profit export multipliers such as states, trade associations, chambers of commerce, world trade centers and other non-profit industry groups that are particularly effective in reaching small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). MDCP awards help to underwrite the start up costs of exciting new export marketing ventures which these groups are often reluctant to undertake without Federal Government support.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency
One of the TDA’s primary activities is the grant funding of feasibility studies and other project planning activities for major projects in developing and middle-income countries. The studies are conducted by U.S. private sector firms and represent a wide range of host government high priority sectors, including energy, transportation, telecommunications, information technology, manufacturing, minerals development, and the environment.