OECD

The Export Credit Arrangement

The Arrangement (Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits) is an agreement between the majority of the OECD countries and all EU countries. The purpose of the agreement, which is revised successively, is to promote the orderly use of officially supported export credits. The aim is to create a level playing field for exporters and financiers based on the quality and price of the export instead of favourable officially supported financial -terms and conditions.

The agreement governs payment terms, interest and premiums in officially supported export credits and export credit guarantees with a repayment period of two years or more. There are also special sector understandings for areas such as renewable energy, climate change mitigation, water projects, rail infrastructure, coal-fired electricity generation projects and project financing. The Arrangement also stipulates extensive information sharing between the parties.

The EU serves as a negotiating partner in negotiations on the Arrangement and the European Commission represents the Union by virtue of its mandate from the member countries. The members of the Council Working Group on Export Credits meet regularly for coordination with one another and to work out positions and initiatives.

The Arrangement is worked on by the Participants´group, which consist of the parties to the agreement. The Technical Experts to the Participants and the Country Risk Experts provide support and prepare various issues for deliberation.

Environmental and social issues

The OECD countries collaborate on common approaches for environmental and social issues, including human rights, in officially supported export credits. The Common Approaches policy stipulates requirements for screening and reviewing environmental and social risks in transactions supported by the export credit agencies.

The OECD Export Credits Group monitors and develops the policy on an ongoing basis. A technical group called the Practitioners consisting of sustainability analysts is in place for support. Information on environmental impact and social issues is shared on a large scale.

The policy is called Recommendation of the Council on Common Approaches for Officially Supported Export Credits and Environmental and Social Due Diligence (the “Common Approaches”).

Corruption issues

The OECD countries pursue a common policy for anti-corruption measures in officially supported export credits. The policy prescribes measures the export credit agencies must take in connection with financing export transactions. The Export Credits Group monitors and develops the policy on an ongoing basis.

The policy is called the OECD Council Recommendation on Bribery and Officially Supported Export Credits. 

Sustainable lending

The sustainable lending policy stipulates that the export credit agencies take into account restrictions of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on commercial borrowing in low-income countries. The aim of the policy is to prevent future debt burdens in poor countries.

The OECD countries have agreed on the Principles and Guidelines to Promote Sustainable Lending Practices in the provision of Official Export Credits to Low Income Countries.

The Export Credits Group is responsible for this policy.

Dialogue

The OECD working groups engage in regular dialogue with civil society, countries outside of the OECD and international financial institutions. This takes place at the annual consultation meetings and in other channels. Those invited to the meetings include representatives of exporters, banks, environmental organisations, human rights organisations and anti-corruption organisations.