Ex-Im Bank 30th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. April 14-15 Highlights Sen. Sarbanes, American Enterprise Institute's Glassman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 2005
Media Contact Name/Phone
Marianna Ohe (202) 565-3200

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) will hold its 30 th Annual Conference April 14-15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. More than 1,000 U.S. exporters, financiers and foreign dignitaries will hear government and business leaders discuss global trade issues and opportunities, and learn about new Ex-Im Bank financing initiatives.

On Thursday, April 14, Ex-Im Bank Chairman Philip Merrill will deliver opening remarks at 9 a.m followed by a keynote address by James K. Glassman, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland will deliver a luncheon keynote address at 12:30 p.m.

A luncheon awards ceremony will honor four companies for their contributions to U.S. small business exports and job growth: the 2005 Small Business Exporter of the Year award; the 2005 Small Business Bank of the Year award; the 2005 Small Business Broker of the Year award, and, for the first time, a 2005 Small Business Environmental Exporter of the Year award.

Throughout both days of the conference, panels will highlight individual markets such as Nigeria, Mexico and Brazil, and feature topics including environmental exports financing, global opportunities for small business lenders, and financing opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses. Workshops will explain new Ex-Im Bank financing products and programs.

On Thursday morning, Turkish Ambassador to the United States Faruk Logoglu will address a panel about economic and trade matters. On Friday morning, Mexican Ambassador to the United States Carlos de Icaza will participate in a panel on Mexico, and Brazilian Ambassador to the US Roberto Abdenur will share perspectives on exporting to Brazil.

The conference also will have an exhibit hall where exporters, lenders and government entities will display export and financing products and services. An Ex-Im Bank Circle of Experts will be available at the center of the exhibit hall to answer attendee questions about Ex-Im Bank programs.

Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 71st year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct loans. In fiscal year 2004, Ex-Im Bank, an independent U.S. federal agency, authorized financing to support approximately $17.8 billion in U.S. exports worldwide, a 25% jump from a year earlier. For more information on Ex-Im Bank visit http://www.exim.gov.