News

WASHINGTON - Today the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) appointed the membership of the agency's 2021-2022 Advisory Committee and the 2021-2022 Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee. EXIM named Founder of One Country and former United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp as chair of the Advisory Committee and Baker & McKenzie LLP Partner James (Jim) P. O'Brien as chair of the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Both committees are mandated by Congress under EXIM's Charter. The chairs and members of both committees were appointed for a one-year term. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly, and the SAAC meets semiannually. The committees make recommendations for enhancing service and value for EXIM customers.

"EXIM's advisory committees provide invaluable voluntary service in advising EXIM on how better to serve U.S. exporters and America's workers," said EXIM Acting President and Chair James Burrows. "We are especially appreciative of the tremendous leadership and support for EXIM that former Senator Heidi Heitkamp and longtime advisor Jim O'Brien have demonstrated. We look forward to a productive collaboration with them and with the members of both advisory committees this year."

"EXIM is at the beginning of an exciting new chapter, with an incredible opportunity to help America's businesses and workers build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic," said former U.S. Senator and Advisory Committee Chair Heidi Heitkamp. "From financing the products and innovations that will drive the global energy transition to unlocking capital and new markets for small businesses across the country, EXIM is on the pathway back to being a leader, and I am honored to chair its Advisory Committee over the coming year."

"Having been part of EXIM's Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee for several years, I have seen the progress that the agency has already made in returning to markets in Africa since 2019," said SAAC Chair Jim O'Brien. "I'm honored to take on this new position and look forward to helping the agency strengthen support for American companies doing business across the continent."

The Advisory Committee advises EXIM on its policies and programs, in particular on the extent to which EXIM provides competitive financing to support American jobs through exports. The committee provides EXIM with guidance from various sectors of the economy to strengthen its support of U.S. exports. Appointed by EXIM's Board of Directors and composed of 17 members, this year's committee includes representatives of agriculture, environment, production, commerce, finance, labor, services, state government, and the textile industry.

The SAAC provides guidance and advice regarding EXIM's policies and programs designed to support the expansion of financing support for U.S.-manufactured goods and services in sub-Saharan Africa. Committee members advise EXIM on the development and implementation of policies and programs designed to support EXIM's engagement in sub-Saharan Africa and boost U.S. exports and American jobs. Appointed by EXIM's Board of Directors and composed of 11 members, this year's committee includes representatives of trade/commerce, banking/finance, and small business.

ABOUT EXIM:

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation's official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.