The Government of the United States offers assistance to domestic businesses working internationally through grants and loan guarantees. There are four types of programs that offer financing:

  • Investment Project Financing
  • Facilities Development Financing
  • Export Development/Working Capital Financing
  • Financing for International Buyers

In addition to these programs the government often provides finance related event and E-Training to further assist in exporting your companies products and services abroad. To learn more about how these programs and events contact your local Commercial Service International Trade Specialist. To help find one click here.

Investment Project Financing

This programs helps U.S. businesses to get financing for projects that require large amount of capital. Projects that may qualify for this include:

  • Infrastructure
  • Telecommunications
  • Power Generation
  • Water
  • Housing
  • Airports
  • Financial Services
  • Natural Resource Extraction

The government also offers capital to private investment corporations for eligible projects in developing countries and emerging markets.

Facilities Development Financing

Many companies are unable to sell their products and services abroad because of lack of financing to expand facilities and upgrade equipment needed to be involved in international trade. Through this program businesses will have the funds available to acquire, construct, renovate, improve, modernize or expand as needed.

Companies that have been adversely affected by international competition from imports are eligible for up to $2 million in financing to upgrade their facilities and equipment. This loan program can also be used to refinance existing debts so long as they are not structured and are accompanied by reasonable terms and conditions, it unfortunately cannot be used as working capital.

Export Development/Working Capital Financing

This program helps businesses to get loans that can help provide liquidity needed to accept new customers abroad and increase international sales while maintaining a domestic competitive edge.

The Small Business Administration can provides up to $2 million in funding toward capital loans. This financing can be used for labour, materials and post-shipment financing to provide flexibility and encourage export growth. The Export Express Program is designed for small businesses that are undergoing a period of growth and have potential for future exports but do not have the funds to cover initial costs. Small businesses can get grants of up to $250,000 in financing to produce goods or provide services for exports. These proceeds can be used for most business purposes.

Transaction-specific capital loans can also be provided by the Export-Import Bank under the Working Capital Guarantee Program. These loans are made by large commercial lenders but backed by the Ex-Im Bank’s implement guarantee. These loans can be sued for the purchasing of finished products for export as well as:

  • Raw Materials
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Labor
  • Overhead Costs

These Ex-Im Bank can also provide standing letters of credit to serve as performance bonds, payment guarantees, bid bonds or to finance foreign receivables.

Financing for International Buyers

Occasionally the exports are available, however there are problems with potential clients to be able to purchase these goods. There may be no banks foreign banks with viable interest rates available. There are a number of restrictions on this program as recipients must be able to prove their credit worthiness.