[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 2008]
[Pages 498-500]
[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, 202-336-7949. 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                       Rod Morris
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.

[[Page 499]]

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 
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 at 
www.opic.gov.

[[Page 500]]

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, [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, 202-336-7949. Internet, www.opic.gov.

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