CEOS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, RUSSIAN TRADE MINISTER HIGHLIGHT EX-IM BANK 2001 ANNUAL CONFERENCE APRIL 4-5 WASHINGTON, D.C.
Government and industry leaders will offer global trade perspectives to more than 1,200 U.S. exporters, financiers and foreign dignitaries attending the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) annual conference April 4-5, 2001 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, April 4, Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade German O. Gref, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Dr. C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Institute of International Economics (IIE) will address the conference.
On Thursday, April 5, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-AK) and Ex-Im Bank Chairman James A. Harmon will be luncheon speakers. A CEO Panel Thursday afternoon will offer perspectives on the Global Market Trends in the 21st Century by Philip M. Condit, chairman and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer of Deere & Company, and Harmon.
The two-day conference also will feature a trade show of more than 50 exhibits of U.S. export and financing products and services. At the exhibit, Ex-Im Bank will demonstrate new Internet technology initiatives aimed at speeding service, including an Asset management Division electronic claim filing system; a Medium-Term Electronic Compliance Program offered by the Credit Review and Operations Division; and an on-line Working Capital Guarantee application process that will be offered starting in July 2001.
An array of workshops and seminars on Ex-Im Bank financing programs and foreign markets will brief participants on, among other things: recent changes to Ex-Im Bank's foreign content and local cost policies and procedures; Ex-Im Bank's new initiative to accept the credit of sub-sovereign borrowers such as states and municipalities; Ex-Im Bank's environmental guidelines and the international negotiations on this issue; and opportunities in sub-Saharan African markets.
Ex-Im Bank will honor three companies for their contributions to U.S. small business export and job growth: Environmental Dynamics Inc., Columbia, MO, will receive the Small Business Exporter of the Year Award, Greater Bay Bankcorp, Palo Alto, CA the Small Business Bank of the Year Award, and Export Risk Management, New York, NY the Small Business (insurance) Broker of the Year Award.
Wednesday, April 4, 2001
Welcome, Ex-Im Bank Chairman Harmon 8:45 a.m.
Address by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) 9:00 a.m.
Discussion by C. Fred Bergsten, Director, 9:30 a.m.
Institute for International Economics
Workshops and Seminars 10:45 a.m. - 11.45 a.m.
(complete schedule available at www.exim.gov)
Luncheon 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Pre-luncheon speaker: German O. Gref,
Russian Minister of Economic Development
and Trade
Post-luncheon speaker: Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ)
Workshops and Seminars 1:45 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 5, 2001
Workshops and Seminars 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Luncheon 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Pre-luncheon speaker: Rep. Joseph Knollenberg, (R-MI)
Post-luncheon speaker: Ex-Im Bank Chairman James Harmon
CEO Panel 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Global Market Trends in the 21st Century
Phil Condit, Chairman & CEO, The Boeing Company
Robert Lane, Chairman & CEO, Deere and Company
James Harmon, Chairman, Ex-Im Bank
Awards Ceremony Immediately following CEO Panel
Ex-Im Bank small business, small business bank,
and broker of the year awards
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the export of U.S. goods and services to emerging markets throughout the world by providing loans, loan guarantees, and export credit insurance. During fiscal year 2000, Ex-Im Bank supported $15.5 billion in U.S. exports.