EX-IM BANK SIGNS CITY/STATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) Board Member D. Vanessa Weaver and Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns yesterday signed a City/State Partnership agreement between Ex-Im Bank and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The signing followed an open house and dedication of the new Nebraska International Business Center in Omaha.
As an Ex-Im Bank City/State Partner, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will market the Bank's export financing products to Nebraska businesses and commercial lenders. In addition, Ex-Im Bank and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will hold exporter and lender seminars throughout the state to inform companies about the financing products available through Ex-Im Bank.
We look forward to working with Governor Johanns, a member of Ex-Im Bank's Advisory Committee, to increase the number of products exported from the state of Nebraska, said Ms. Weaver. This agreement will enhance our ability to do just that.
I am very pleased to help usher in an exciting new era of collaboration and cooperation between Ex-Im Bank and the state of Nebraska. I look forward to a strong and productive relationship in the years ahead, Governor Johanns said.
During the past five years, Ex-Im Bank has financed more than $74 million in export transactions for 27 companies in 12 communities throughout Nebraska, supporting more than 1,000 jobs. Seventy percent of these transactions assisted small businesses.
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that assists in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to markets around the world through export credit insurance, loan guarantees and direct loans. In fiscal year 2001, Ex-Im Bank helped to finance $12.5 billion of U.S. exports worldwide.