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Country Cover Indicators

Important Note:

The Country Cover Indicators list is for guidance only.  The details given here are liable to change at any time. No commitment on ECGD's  behalf can be assumed or inferred.

ECGD's country cover indicators are not indicative of the nature of the risks inherent in transacting business in any individual country.

For details of where Overseas Investment Insurance cover may be available, please contact the relevant Business Manager.

Select a country from the list below and then click to show country details:




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If you want to find out more about ECGD's cover position on any market, please contact he relevant Business Manager. For more general questions, contact ECGD's Helpline.

Guide to terms used

  • Foreign Exchange-earning Projects (FXP)

    FXP refers to the type or project which ECGD is prepared to consider supporting in countries where it is unwilling to accept the sovereign repayment risk or where its appetite to do so is limited. In such circumstances, ECGD may still consider support for projects that will earn hard currency and where the payment risk is externalised.

    FXP enquiries are considered case-by-case. ECGD will expect the applicant to be able to demonstrate that the relevant project is viable and professionally managed and that a secure hard currency revenue stream is available to service all lending.  ECGD expects projects to have robust financing structures (including escrow account arrangements) to minimise any transfer risk. ECGD also prefers other financial institutions and commercial entities to share with ECGD the risk of lending to any such project. Customers are advised to contact relevant Business Manager at an early stage.

    To find out more about ECGD's Project Financing Facility, see the brochure.

  • International Monetary Fund (IMF) non-concessional borrowing limits

    Countries implementing IMF programmes often have limits imposed on the amount of commercial debt that their Governments can assume. Export credits count as commercial lending for this purpose. Therefore, ECGD cover for public sector entities in such countries is not normally appropriate, since ECGD should not undermine the debt sustainability and/or the IMF programme of the country in question. This would normally prevent ECGD from providing cover for public sector projects or accepting public sector guarantees, although it may be possible for the host Government and the IMF to agree that certain projects should be financed from export credit borrowing. These limits do not usually affect business within the private sector.

  • Market Risk Appetite (£m)

    This indicator portrays ECGD's appetite for new business, market by market, using a system of indicative Market Risk Appetite ("MRA") bands. The bands are: less than £10m; £10 - £25m; £25 - £50m; £50 - £100m; £100 - £150m; £150 - £250m; £250 - £500m; £500 - £750m; at least £750m..

    The MRA for the country in question will apply to most types of risk transaction, the exception being cases where the payment risk is fully externalised (e.g. FXP cases). Cover is available on a first come, first served basis. In certain markets, prospective business could consume much, if not all, of the available MRA if successfully concluded. Where demand for cover is high, this is indicated in the comments for the market.

    Tthe MRA indicates ECGD's current risk appetite, it is important to understand that they are liable to change. For example, changes may occur through ECGD assuming new commitments, the run-off of existing exposure or changes in the risk outlook. ECGD may be able to consider exposures beyond the MRA values shown but the applicable terms and conditions, including premium, would be set case-by-case. Customers are advised to contact the relevant Business Manager or the ECGD's Helpline to check that sufficient capacity exists for any business enquiry they wish to pursue.

  • Productive Expenditure (PE)

    For all Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and other 'IDA-only' markets (i.e. those which may only borrow from the International Development Association), ECGD may only support exports and investments, which meet Productive Expenditure criteria. This means that the export contract or investment must be expected to assist in the social and economic development of the country in question, without adversely affecting its underlying debt sustainability position.

    Productive Expenditure assessments are carried out with the assistance of the Department for International Development ("DfID"). DfID will require detailed information on the likely social and economic impacts of the proposed export or investment and associated project.

    More details about Productive Expenditure are available in the Sustainable development Section.on the website

  • Refer to Underwriter / Review Required

    'Refer' markets are generally those countries where ECGD is cautious about taking on new business, either because ECGD has little recent experience, or because the risk outlook is volatile. Often, ECGD will need to carry out a review of the market to determine whether cover could be made available. Please speak to the relevant Business Manager at the earliest opportunity.

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