    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 2007]
    [Pages 498-499]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 498]]

    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             Robert A. Mosbacher,
                                                              Jr.
    Executive Vice President                          John A. Simon
    Vice President of External Affairs                Christopher Coughlin
    Vice President of Investment Policy               Christine V. Emery
    Vice President of Structured Finance              Robert B. Drumheller
    Vice President of Small and Medium Enterprise     James C. Polan
            Finance
    Vice President of Insurance                       Edith P. Quintrell
    Vice President of Economic Development            Daniel A. Nichols
    Vice President of Investment Funds                Cynthia Hostetler
    Vice President and General Counsel                Mark A. Garfinkel
    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer        Howard L. Burris

    [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, and 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 insurance to 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. Over the agency's 35 year history, OPIC has supported
    $177 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries
    to generate over $13 billion in host government revenues and create over
    800,000 host country jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $71 billion
    in U.S. exports and supported more than 271,000 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

    [[Page 499]]

    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 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 online small business resources from our web site,
    www.opic.gov.

    Sources of Information

    General Inquiries  Inquiries should be directed to the Information
    Officer, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, 1100 New York Avenue
    NW., Washington, DC 20527. Phone, 202-336-8799. E-mail, info@opic.gov.
    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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