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9:30 am

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony

Moderator: Joe Grandmaision, member, Board of Directors, Ex-Im Bank

Ex-Im Bank Chairman James Lambright and Jean-Louis Ekra, president and chairman of the board of Afreximbank, will sign a memorandum of understanding under which Ex-Im Bank will provide Afreximbank with up to $40 million in short-term and medium-term financing. The delegated authority, approved Feb. 29 by Ex-Im Bank's board of directors, will make it easier and faster for African buyers to obtain Ex-Im Bank support for their purchases of U.S. goods and services.

• Update on Ex-Im Bank’s Small Business Products
  (Ambassador Ballroom)

This session offers a condensed, concise overview of all Ex-Im Bank products. It is a "don’t miss" opportunity for newcomers to learn which products best suit their export financing and risk-mitigation needs. For returning Annual Conference attendees, this is a great "refresher" session, and you will hear about new products and innovations since last year.

Moderators:
Sandra Donzella, Business Development Officer, Ex-Im Bank, West Regional Office
John Johnson, Business Development Officer, Ex-Im Bank, Southwest Regional Office

• The Global Cleantech Market: Financing Your Way to Success
  (Diplomat Ballroom)

U.S. companies now have an unprecedented opportunity to expand their global business in the environmental and clean energy sector with Ex-Im Bank as their strategic partner. It is no secret that this sector is growing. In fact, in 2007 over $148 billion was invested in the clean energy technologies, companies and projects. Additionally, U.S. clean and renewable energy exports nearly doubled between 2002 and 2006, while U.S. exports of environmental technologies grew 55% during the same period.

This dynamic and interactive session will include experts from the renewable energy and financial sectors, as well as practical, real world case study presentations given by Ex-Im Bank professionals and U.S. exporters.

You will be given the practical knowledge and financial tools necessary for you and your customers to compete and succeed in the ever-growing and competitive environmental and clean energy marketplace. This is a "can't miss" session for all exporters, lenders, brokers and buyers!

Welcome Remarks:
Linda Mysliwy Conlin, Vice Chair and First Vice President, Ex-Im Bank

Moderator:
Craig O’Connor, Director, Office of Renewable Energy and Environmental Exports, Ex-Im Bank

Panelists:
Mike Eckhart, President, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
Martha Gentry, Executive Director, Global Trade Services, JPMorgan Chase
Dean Middleton, Sales Manager - Latin America & the Caribbean, Sunwize Technologies, Inc.

• India: How to Navigate the Market Opportunities and Challenges
  (Palladian Ballroom)

India is in the midst of an historic development boom, with government estimates of $585 billion of new infrastructure projects required over the next five years.

In this session, a panel of business, academic and government experts will discuss the Indian business environment, recent trends and opportunities. Special emphasis will be placed on the perspectives of various market participants, including Indian government, financial institutions, international lenders, project sponsors, and equipment manufacturers. Key sectors of opportunities for U.S. exporters include power, oil and gas, refineries, LNG, renewable energy, rail, airports, aircraft, water treatment systems and telecom.

See how you can take advantage of so many exciting market opportunities.

Moderator: Diane Farrell, member, Board of Directors, Ex-Im Bank

Welcome Remarks:
Ambassador Ronen Sen, Indian Ambassador to the United States

Panelists:
S. Balasubramanian, Director - Project and Export Finance, HSBC India
Professor Tarun Khanna, Harvard Business School, Author, "Billions of Entrepreneurs: How China and India Are Reshaping Their Future and Yours."
Hasmukh Shah, President & CEO, U.S. India Enterprises, Inc.
Ron Somers, President, U.S. India Business Council

Lunch (Regency Ballroom)

Keynote Address:
Lawrence B. Lindsey, President and CEO
The Lindsey Group and former director of the National Economic Council

Small Business Awards Ceremony

• Meeting Africa's Electricity Needs
  (Ambassador Ballroom)

In addition to U.S. Embassy provided "white papers" outlining the electricity plans and projects in ten African countries that will be distributed at the workshop, discussion will center around the project finance models most commonly used to turn plans into reality.

Moderator:      
John Richter, Regional Director-Africa, Ex-Im Bank
           
Panelists:         
Shaun Beaton, Senior Counsel, Allen & Overy
Topic: Independent Power Projects Legal Issues, Nigeria

Richard Hodder, HSBC – London, Regional Director - Export Finance
Topic:  Eskom Power Project, South Africa

Abhay Ketkar, Standard Chartered – London, Global Power & Utilities - Project and Export Finance
Topic: Bujagali Hydro Project, Uganda

Special Visitor: Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Permanent Secretary of Energy for Power, Nigerian Ministry of Energy

• Forum on Financing U.S. Exports to the Middle East
  (Diplomat Ballroom)

Oil and gas sectors have been the primary markets for U.S. exports to the Middle East. Now, new, strong and growing opportunities exist in a number of other sectors in the Middle East markets especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The forum explores the range of opportunities in renewable energy, project management, health care, agriculture, environment and waste management, education and more. The forum will facilitate an engaging discussion on the role of Ex-Im Bank in supporting the sale of U.S. goods and services to the region. By using Ex-Im Bank products, financing should not be a hurdle for U.S. businesses, large or small, to participate in mega projects.

Welcome Remarks:
Bijan R. Kian, Member, Board of Directors, Ex-Im Bank

Moderator:     
John Schuster, Director, Structured Finance, Ex-Im Bank

Special Visitor: Ambassador Ford M. Fraker, U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Panelists:       
Ed Burton, President and Managing Director, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council
David Hamod, President, National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce  
Venkee Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aquatech
Firoz Tarapore, Chief Financial Officer, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise

• Turkey - Energy Challenges and Opportunities
  (Palladian Ballroom)

Turkey faces enormous demand for electricity production over the next five years and is exploring all options to meet this demand. Discussion will cover Government of Turkey incentives, investment opportunities, financing alternatives, supply chain issues, and conventional and renewable energy alternatives.

Moderator:
Suha Kocabal, Vice President of Toronto Dominion Bank, Singapore Branch

Panelists:         
Murat Sungur Bursa, President of Zorlu Enerji, Istanbul, Turkey
Firat Cecen, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of AES-Ic Ictas Ejerji, Ankara, Turkey
Mohammad Kudia, Senior Vice President, GE Energy, Houston, TX

• Key Markets in Europe & Central Asia: Risks and Rewards
  (Ambassador Ballroom)

Europe & Central Asia include markets with tremendous potential for U.S. businesses.  Understanding the dynamics of these markets and the unique challenges in doing business in the region can ensure a successful market entry and increase your chances of developing a prosperous working relationship.

Moderator:      
Brian Sant Angelo, Ex-Im Bank, Trade Finance and Insurance

Panelists:         
Thomas Graham, Senior Director, Kissinger Associates
Topic:  Is Russia entering the Post-Putin Era?    

Anar Omarova, Vice President, Development Bank of Kazakhstan
Topic:   Investing in Kazakhstan

Danica Starks, Senior Desk Officer, Central Asia & the Caucasus, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Topic:   Entering new markets with the assistance of the U.S. Government

Morgan Williams, President, US-Ukrainian Business Council
Topic:  Important Issues to consider when doing business with Ukraine

• Due Diligence Best Practices: Guidelines for Ex-Im Bank Transactions
  (Diplomat Ballroom)

In a roundtable format, Ex-Im Bank staff will review the Bank's newly released due diligence guidelines, discussing the objectives and key content of the guidelines, with a particular focus on expectations for adaptation by Ex-Im Bank's lending and exporting partners.

Moderators:      

John McAdams, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Export Finance, Ex-Im Bank
Howard Schweitzer, Sr. Vice President and General Counsel, Ex-Im Bank

Panelists:
Jeff Abramson, Vice President, Trade Finance and Insurance, Ex-Im Bank
David Carter, Vice President, Credit Underwriting, Ex-Im Bank
John Connor, Assistant General Counsel - Small and New Business, Ex-Im Bank

• Trade Finance Opportunities with U.S. Government Agencies
  (Palladian Ballroom)

Ex-Im Bank’s sister agencies also offer useful trade finance solutions. This workshop will highlight the various financing programs available from the Department of Commerce, Small Business Administration, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Department of Agriculture, and the Trade Development Agency to help U.S. exporters expand their sales to the global marketplace. 

Panelists:
Geoff Jackson, Director for Policy and Programs, TDA
Ruth Ann Nicastri, Regional Director for Latin America -- Insurance, OPIC
Carlos Montoulieu, Senior Director for Services, U.S. Department of Commerce
Richard Schulze, Regional International Trade and Finance Manager, SBA
Chris Williams, Outreach Coordinator, Credit Programs Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA

RECEPTION
(BLUE ROOM, East Side - Lobby Level)

• Airport Infrastructure - A Dynamic Growth Market
  (Ambassador Ballroom)

With the growth of airline travel around the world many airports are in critical need of modernization and upgrades.  A panel of industry experts, to include a U.S. exporter and an engineering company active in the field of airport construction, will discuss difficulties and opportunities in pursuing new business in this sector.

Moderator: 
The Honorable Robert Francis, Farragut International Associates and (former Vice Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board and Senior Representative for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Western Europe and North Africa)

Panelists:
Dan Magoon, Director, Aviation Solutions, Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions
Terry Ruhl, Director of Airport Infrastructure, CH2MHill
Jesus Torres, Project Manager, Ensenada (Mexico) International Airport

• Medium-term Delegated Authority: Enhancing Lender Partnerships with Ex-Im Bank
  (Diplomat Ballroom)

This panel will describe the concept, parameters and processes underlying Ex-Im Bank's new Medium-term Delegated Authority lending program ("MTDA").  This program, which includes special enhancement for small business transactions, will provide qualifying lenders with the authority to commit Ex-Im Bank-covered medium-term financing without prior transaction specific approval. 

Moderator:      
Jeffrey Abramson, Vice President, Trade Finance and Insurance, Ex-Im Bank

Panelists:         
David Carter, Vice President, Credit Underwriting, Ex-Im Bank
Charles Goohs, Senior Business Initiatives Officer, Business Initiatives, Ex-Im Bank
Szami Miksche, Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Ex-Im Bank

• An Introduction to Private Export Funding Corporation (PEFCO)
  (Palladian Ballroom)

The workshop will cover PEFCO's short-, medium- and long-term programs, how they work, who uses them, and why. PEFCO also discuss important new programs, and changes to existing programs.  

Panelists:
Vincent J. Herman, Vice President, Private Export Funding Corporation
Richard E. Youtz, Sr. Vice President, Private Export Funding Corporation

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