[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 2004]
[Pages 499-501]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

1100 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20527

Phone, 202-336-8400. Fax, 202-408-9859. Internet, www.opic.gov.
President and Chief Executive Officer             Peter S. Watson
Executive Vice President                          Ross J. Connelly
Vice President, Office of External Affairs        Christopher Coughlin
Vice President, Office of Investment Policy       Virginia D. Green
Vice President, Structured Finance Department     Robert B. Drumheller
Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprise       James Polan
        Finance
Vice President, Insurance Department              Michael T. Lempres
Vice President, Department of Investment          Daniel A. Nichols
        Development and Economic Growth
Vice President, Investment Funds                  Cynthia Hostetler

[[Page 500]]

Vice President and General Counsel                Mark A. Garfinkel
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer        Gary A. Keel

[For the Overseas Private Investment Corporation statement of 
        organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 22, 
        Chapter VII]

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The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is a self-sustaining Federal 
agency whose purpose is to promote economic growth in developing 
countries and emerging markets by encouraging U.S. private investment in 
those nations.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established in 
1971 as an independent agency by the Foreign Affairs Reform and 
Restructuring Act (112 Stat. 2681-790). OPIC helps U.S. businesses 
invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging 
markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated 
with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. OPIC 
charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-
sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.
    OPIC helps U.S. businesses compete in emerging markets when private 
sector support is not available. OPIC offers up to $250 million in long-
term financing and/or political risk insuranceto U.S. companies 
investing in over 150 emerging markets and developing countries. Backed 
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, OPIC advocates for 
U.S. investment, offers experience in risk management, and draws on an 
outstanding record of success.
    OPIC mobilizes America's private sector to advance U.S. foreign 
policy and development initiatives. Projects supported by OPIC expand 
economic development, which encourages political stability and free 
market reforms. Since 1971, OPIC has supported $150 billion in 
investments that have helped developing countries to generate over 
690,000 jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $66 billion in U.S. 
exports and supported more than 257,000 American jobs. OPIC promotes 
U.S. best practices by requiring projects to adhere to international 
standards on the environment, worker rights, and human rights.

Activities

OPIC insures U.S. investors, contractors, exporters, and financial 
institutions against political violence, expropriation of assets by 
foreign governments, and the inability to convert local currencies into 
U.S. dollars. OPIC can insure up to $250 million per project and has no 
minimum investment size requirements. Insurance is available for 
investments in new ventures, expansions of existing enterprises, 
privatizations, and acquisitions with positive developmental benefits.
    OPIC provides financing through direct loans and loan guaranties for 
medium and long term private investment. Loans range from $100,000 to 
$250 million for projects sponsored by U.S. companies, and financing can 
be provided on a project finance or corporate finance basis. In most 
cases, the U.S. sponsor is expected to contribute at least 25 percent of 
the project equity, have a track record in the industry, and have the 
means to contribute to the financial success of the project.
    To address the lack of sufficient equity investment in emerging 
markets, OPIC has supported the creation of privately owned and managed 
investment funds that make direct equity and equity-related investments 
in new, expanding, or privatizing companies. These funds, which have a 
regional or sectoral focus, provide the long-term growth capital that 
can serve as a catalyst for private sector economic activity in 
developing countries and the creation of new markets and opportunities 
for American companies.
    Helping America's small businesses grow through investments in 
emerging markets is an important OPIC priority. Any small business with 
annual revenues

[[Page 501]]

less than $35 million is eligible for small business center programs. 
For businesses with annual revenues over $35 million and under $250 
million, OPIC's regular small business programs are available. OPIC 
provides direct loans to U.S. small businesses, and offers insurance 
products to meet the special needs of small businesses. Other client 
services include streamlined applications and processing procedures, and 
a small business hotline.

Sources of 
Information

General Inquiries  Inquiries should be directed to the Information 
Office, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, 1100 New York Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20527. Phone, 202-336-8799. E-mail, [email protected]. 
Internet, www.opic.gov.
Publications  OPIC programs are further detailed in the Annual Report 
and the Program Handbook. These publications are available free of 
charge and on the Web site.

For further information, contact the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation, 1100 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20527. Phone, 202-
336-8400. Fax, 202-408-9859. Internet, www.opic.gov.

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