Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India

The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited (ECGC in short) is a company wholly owned by the Government of India. It provides export credit insurance support to Indian exporters and is controlled by the Ministry of Commerce. Government of India had initially set up Export Risks Insurance Corporation (ERIC) in July 1957. It was transformed into Export Credit and Guarantee Corporation Limited (ECGC) in 1964 and to Export Credit Guarantee of India in 1983.

What is ECGC?

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited, was established in the year 1957 by the Government of India to strengthen the export promotion drive by covering the risk of exporting on credit. Being essentially an export promotion organization, it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India. It is managed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives of the Government, Reserve Bank of India, banking, insurance and exporting community. ECGC is the fifth largest credit insurer of the world in terms of coverage of national exports. The present paid-up capital of the company is Rs.900 crores and authorized capital Rs.1000 crores.

What does ECGC do?

Provides a range of credit risk insurance covers to exporters against loss in export of goods and services Offers guarantees to banks and financial institutions to enable exporters to obtain better facilities from them Provides Overseas Investment Insurance to Indian companies investing in joint ventures abroad in the form of equity or loan

How does ECGC help exporters?

Offers insurance protection to exporters against payment risks Provides guidance in export-related activities Makes available information on different countries with its own credit ratings Makes it easy to obtain export finance from banks/financial institutions Assists exporters in recovering bad debts Provides information on credit-worthiness of overseas buyers"'

Need for export credit insurance

Payments for exports are open to risks even at the best of times. The risks have assumed large proportions today due to the far-reaching political and economic changes that are sweeping the world. An outbreak of war or civil war may block or delay payment for goods exported. A coup or an insurrection may also bring about the same result. Economic difficulties or balance of payment problems may lead a country to impose restrictions on either import of certain goods or on transfer of payments for goods imported. In addition, the exporters have to face commercial risks of insolvency or protracted default of buyers. The commercial risks of a foreign buyer going bankrupt or losing his capacity to pay are aggravated due to the political and economic uncertainties. Export credit insurance is designed to protect exporters from the consequences of the payment risks, both political and commercial, and to enable them to expand their overseas business without fear of loss.

*Established 30th July 1957
*Mandated to promote exports
*50 Years of committed service
*5th Largest Credit insurer of the world
*Admin control – Min of Commerce & Industry
*Authorised capital Rs.1000cr
*Paidup capital Rs. 900cr
*Registered office MUMBAI, 5 ROs, 52 Branches
*WAN connectivity,
*Member of BERNE union (Intl Union of Credit Investment Insurers) 53 members from 42 Countries
*Alliance with Coface(France), D&B
*Registered with IRDA during Sep 2002
*ISO 9001:2000 certified
*Accredited with “iAAA” by ICRA, associate of Moody’s Investors Service, indicating highest claim paying ability & best prospects of meeting PH’s obligation
*Largest data base of buyers
*Maintains list of buyers with adverse experience
*GOI instilled confidence in ECGC by establishing NEIA (National Export Insurance Account) with a corpus of Rs.2000 Cr to be managed by ECGC
*Tie-up with NSIC (National Small Industries Corporation) to offer our products to a number SMEs spread over India.
*Full fledged 'factoring’ scheme launched.
*Domestic credit risk insurance is on the agenda
*Offers MARINE INSURANCE cover FREE for its Policy Holder as add-on benefit. Tied up with United India Insurance for this purpose."'
*Signs MOU with MOC every year and is expected to achieve “excellent” grade for the financial year 2005-06

Cooperation agreement with MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency) an arm of World Bank. MIGA provides 1. Political insurance for foreign investment in developing countries. 2. Technical assistance to improve investment climate. 3. dispute mediation service. Under this agreement protection is available against political and economic risks such as transfer restriction, expropriation, war, terrorism and civil disturbances etc.

*Largest Policy – short term Rs.250 crores
*Largest database on buyers 3 lakhs
*Largest credit limit Rs.80 Crores
*Largest claim paid Rs.120 crores
*Quickest claim paid 2 days
*Highest compensation-Iraq Rs 788 Crores

ECGC now offers various products for the exporters and bankers. If readymade products are NOT suited to an exporter/banker then ECGC designs tailor made products.

External links

* [http://www.ecgc.in Official site]