By complementing the private sector, OPIC can provide financing in countries where conventional financial institutions often are reluctant or unable to lend any funds.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971. OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.
Mobilizing the U.S. private sector to advance U.S. foreign policy and development initiatives, OPIC-supported projects make a difference by expanding economic development, which can encourage political stability and free market reforms. Currently, OPIC programs are available for new and expanding business enterprises in more than 150 countries worldwide.
OPIC's financing and political risk insurance also help U.S. businesses of all sizes to compete in emerging markets and meet the challenges of investing overseas when private sector support is not available. OPIC promotes U.S. best practices by requiring projects to adhere to international standards on the environment and human rights.
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 the basis of existing risks.
Business Categories
OPIC's Small and Medium-Enterprise Financing is available for businesses with annual revenues under $ 250 million.
OPIC's Structured Financing focuses on U.S. businesses with annual revenues over $ 250 million and supports large-scale projects that require large amounts of capital, such as infrastructure, telecommunications, power, water, housing, airports, hotels, high-tech, financial services, and natural resource extraction industries. OPIC can also provide long-term working capital and multiple-year capital expenditure programs. The amount of capital needed for any project can be greater than one financial institution can provide on its own due to per-project limits or diversifications guidelines. As a result, OPIC works with other co-lenders, if necessary, to bring sufficient resources to a given project.
Small Business Center
OPIC's Small Business Center (SBC) offers qualified small businesses the opportunity to utilize OPIC's resources with improved customer service, flexible coverage, and easier access through a streamlined approval process.
Qualified U.S. businesses with annual revenues less than $ 35 million are eligible to utilize the SBC Finance product for their overseas investment.
SBC Finance offers direct loans from $ 100,000 to $ 10 million with terms from 3 to 15 years. While the eligible U.S. small business must own at least 25 percent of the overseas project, OPIC may be able to finance up to 65 percent of the total project costs.
Interest rates for SBC loans will be capped at 7 percent above OPIC's cost of funds for comparable maturities. In addition, there may be a one-time facility fee of up to 2 percent and an annual maintenance fee not to exceed 1 percent of the outstanding balance of the loan.
OPIC finance applications may be found on the corporation's website at http://www.opic.gov.