Background knowledge
Background and aspects of the Federal Government's export credit guarantees
on current priority and focus topics
In Focus
Combined expertise strengthens Germany’s export sector
The Federal Government stands by the German export sector and aims to integrate development cooperation and foreign trade policy through partnerships.
A range of instruments and initiatives are being brought together to strengthen the competitiveness of German companies.
Financing options for EPC projects
Are you an EPC contractor handling major international projects?
We in Germany can support you and your customers!
Focus on Africa
A continent with opportunities
The Federal Government's export credit guarantees offer export-oriented companies a range of cover options against economically or politically induced bad debt losses. They also facilitate the financing of export business. This applies in particular to business in emerging and developing countries. Take a look at our focus page.
Focus: Relief Package
Effective measures to strengthen Germany’s foreign trade
The Federal Government has also approved a relief package for foreign trade promotion instruments. The aim of the relief package is to simplify and speed up the application and decision-making procedures for the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees and Investment Guarantees.
Focus on Ukraine
Suspension of cover for Russia and Belarus
You can find all the information on the sanctions and how they affect the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees, as well as frequently asked questions, contact details and advice centres, on our dedicated page on this topic.
financing experts
In Abidjan, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and, with ‘Mobile Desk’, on the move in Latin America
Hermes Cover is still relatively unknown amongst foreign importers. Yet it offers a whole range of benefits to them, as well as to German exporters and banks. The Federal Government has therefore expanded its advisory services in selected countries. As a result, experts on the ground are on hand to provide these stakeholders with advice and support.
Special topics
Exports of services
Changes in the German export economy
Germany is an export-oriented economy that is constantly changing. For some time now, foreign customers have increasingly been requesting services in addition to the actual delivery of goods. This structural change - from the industrial sector to the service sector - is characterized by a growing share of services in the total export volume.
You can find out about the challenges facing the sector and how the federal government's export credit guarantees can support exporters and banks in our background information:
Energy sector
Exclusion of cover for nuclear facilities
In June 2014, the German government decided to no longer provide export credit guarantees (so-called Hermes Cover) for deliveries and services for nuclear facilities abroad. This exclusion of cover applies to both new and existing plants.
History
Export Credit Guarantees of the Federal Republic of Germany - through the ages
For 75 years now, the Federal Government's Export Credit Guarantees have been supporting German exporters and the banks that finance them on their way abroad. Over the past years and decades, the so-called Hermes Cover has become a central instrument of German foreign trade promotion.
Studies
The Federal Government's export financing is becoming more digital
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs publishes study on the impacts of digital transformation
10 November 2020
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs today presented the findings of a study on the impact of digital transformation in the economy on the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees during a digital workshop.
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