News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Piper P. Starr, coordinator of special projects in the Policy Group at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), has been elected vice president of the Berne Union. The Berne Union is an international organization of public and private export credit agencies and companies dedicated to promoting sound credit principles in international trade and investment.

In 2004, Ms. Starr was elected vice president of the Berne Union, an international organization of public and private export credit agencies and companies, marking the first time in 20 years that an Ex-Im Bank official has held an office within the Union.

Starr is the Berne Union's first female vice president, and her election represents the first time in more than 20 years that an Ex-Im Bank official has held office within the Berne Union.

We are honored that Piper Starr has been recognized by the Berne Union for her knowledge and experience, said Ex-Im Bank Chairman Philip Merrill. She is ideally qualified to help further the important work of that organization.

Before assuming her current position as coordinator of special projects in Ex-Im Bank's Policy Group, Starr was vice president of planning and international relations in the Policy Group, and before that vice president of Ex-Im Bank's Insurance Division. Starr is currently responsible for all matters relating to the Berne Union. She also oversees preparation of Ex-Im Bank's Annual Competitiveness Report to Congress, among other responsibilities.

The Berne Union was founded in 1934 as an international non-profit, organization to facilitate cross-border trade by providing a forum for professional exchanges between its members and by actively supporting international acceptance of sound principles in export credits and foreign investment. The group now has 54 members in 44 countries. The Secretary-General of the Berne Union is Kimberly Wiehl, and the Secretariat is based in London. Dr. Hans Janus of Euler Hermes Kreditversicherungs-AG (Euler Hermes Germany) was re-elected as president of the organization.

The previous three Berne Union office holders from Ex-Im Bank were: R.H. Rowntree, vice president of the Berne Union, 1964-65; Dale Gianturco, vice president of the Berne Union, 1976-77; and John Moore, president of the Berne Union, 1979-1981.

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 2003, Ex-Im Bank, an independent federal agency, authorized financing to support $14.3 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. For more information on Ex-Im Bank visit http://www.exim.gov.