BISNIS Home » Sources of Finance

The Business Information Services for Newly Independent States (BISNIS) Program ended effective March 31, 2008. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, together with the U.S. Embassies in Russia, Western NIS, the Caucasus and Central Asia, will continue to work with U.S. companies interested in opportunities in the region. For more information , please contact the U.S. Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE or visit www.export.gov.Alternatively, below are listed a number of other useful resources.

Finance Quicklinks
About BISNIS Sources of Finance
This page informs U.S. companies about specific resources available that provide financing, funding, and insurance for business activities in the Newly Independent States (NIS).

U.S. companies seeking financing for the export of goods or services with at least 51% U.S. content should also consider participating in BISNIS FinanceLink Program. BISNIS FinanceLink facilitates linkages between U.S. exporters seeking financing for deals where a buyer or partner has been found and financial service companies providing financing. For additional information about BISNIS FinanceLink, please contact BISNIS International Trade Specialist for Bank/Finance Michael Voronenko, at: (202) 482-2299 / Email
BISNIS FinanceLink
 BISNIS FinanceLink helps U.S. companies that seek financing for U.S. exports or U.S.-NIS business projects by distributing information about these potential activities to over 950 financial service providers. In order to qualify for participation in BISNIS Finance Link, a transaction or project must contain at least 51 percent U.S. content (goods and services). BISNIS FinanceLink creates an important link between the transactions/projects of U.S. firms and U.S.-incorporated finance service companies.
U.S. Government Agencies and Programs

The following U.S. Government agencies and offices assist U.S. companies in financing, funding and insurance business ventures in the NIS:

The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Exim)
Through its main office in Washington, D.C., its regional offices, and the City-State Program involving state and local government agencies, Exim Bank offers export (not import) counseling and financial assistance to U.S. businesses. Ex-Im has three main programs: the Working Capital Guarantee Program, the Export Credit Insurance Program and the Direct Loans and Guarantees Program.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
OPIC provides medium- to long- term financing through loans guarantees (generally from $10 million to $200 million) and direct loans (generally from $2 million to $30 million).
The Trade and Development Agency (TDA)
TDA provides grants for feasibility studies and for technical assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA operates an Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) and the Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-103), which underwrite credit extended by the private banking sector.
The Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA has two programs in particular that may be of interested to companies seeking business development in the NIS.

SBA's Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) (Short-term working capital - up to one year) is designed to help small businesses export. The EWCP is a combined effort of the SBA and the Export-Import Bank whereby the SBA's EWCP provides transaction-specific financing for loans of $833,333 or less while loan requests over $833,333 may be processed through the Export-Import Bank. When an EWCP loan is combined with an international trade loan, the SBA's exposure can go up to $1.25 million. SBA's International Trade Loan Program (ITL) (Medium to long term working capital- up to 25 years) helps small businesses that are engaged or preparing to engage in international trade, as well as small businesses adversely affected by competition from imports. SBA can guarantee up to $1.25 million, to the borrower. Loans are made by lending institutions with the SBA guaranteeing a portion of the loan.
Multilateral Institutions
World Bank
The following multilateral institutions offer financing and bidding opportunities to U.S. companies for projects in the NIS. The World Bank Group is a family of multilateral development institutions owned and accountable to member governments.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) lends to governments or to public or private entities with government guarantees.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) support private enterprise through the provision and mobilization of loan and equity financing and through its advisory activities relating to, among other things, capital market development and privatization.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) encourages foreign domestic investment by providing investment guarantees to private investors against political risks in the host country.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provides direct financing for private sector activities, restructuring and privatization as well as funding for the infrastructure that supports these activities. Its investments also help to build and strengthen institutions. The main forms of EBRD financing are loans, equity investments (shares) and guarantees. US companies can participate in EBRD funded projects, whether as investors, as suppliers to projects or as consultants.

General EBRD Information

         EBRD Project Pipeline

         EBRD Country Strategies

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a multilateral financial institution, established in 1966 to improve the living standards of its Developing Member Countries throughout the region. To achieve this goal, the ADB (i) extends loans and equity investments for the economic and social development of its developing member countries (DMCs); (ii) provides technical assistance for the preparation and execution of development projects and programs, and for advisory services; (iii) promotes and facilitates investment of public and private capital for development purposes; and (iv) responds to requests for assistance in coordinating development policies and plans of its DMCs. ADB's grants and loans generate substantial, hard-currency commercial opportunities in borrowing Asian developing countries for consultants, suppliers, prime contractors, subcontractors, banks and project sponsors from the bank's member countries and since the US is among the 63 member countries of the ADB, US firms are eligible to bid on any and all ADB-funded procurement and consulting opportunities. In Eurasia, the ADB can be contacted for projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

For more information contact The U.S. Commercial Service Liaison Office to the ADB
25th Floor, Ayala Life-FGU Building
6811 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Metro Manila 1226, Philippines
Telephone: (63-2) 887-1345 to 46
Facsimile: (63-2) 887-1164
Email: manila.adb.office.box@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

General ADB Information
ADB Country Strategy and Programs
CS ADB Project Pipeline

 

If you have questions about Financing in the NIS:

Please Contact:
BISNIS General
(202) 482-4655
bisnis@ita.doc.gov


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U.S. Commercial Service
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Department of Commerce - International Trade Administration