Responsibility
Sustainability, trust and transformation
The actions of the Federal Government must be transparent and understandable, especially concerning the instruments of export credit guarantees. This transparency fosters a trust-based relationship between the state and its citizens. Additionally, the Federal Government can gain valuable insights for its decisions from the contributions of various social interest groups.
Cover for transactions involving export credit guarantees is subject to specific framework conditions. Beyond eligibility for cover, the Federal Government adheres to international guiding principles when providing cover for exports. This approach offers exporters and export-financing banks a reliable framework within which they can obtain state cover for export transactions, enabling many transactions to occur.
Sustainability
Climate strategy
In view of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, a comprehensive transformation of the economy is imperative to reduce global warming to well below two degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era. By developing a climate strategy for export credit guarantees, the Federal Government will continue to support the German economy with cover tailored to its needs.
Assessment of environmental, social and human rights issues (ESHR)
Environmental, social and human rights issues (ESHR) play an important role in the promotion of foreign trade. When an application is made, due diligence is carried out to make sure that national and international standards will be met. With the following links you can access information on the requirements and procedure of the environmental, social and human rights assessment (ESHR assessment) and EHSR Background information as well.
Powering your sustainable projects with strong financial backing
The Federal Government's export credit guarantees support sustainable projects worldwide with attractive coverage conditions. They enable an increased coverage ratio of up to 98% and AAA-secured financing conditions. As a proven instrument for international project success, they enjoy the trust of numerous investors in global markets.
Promotion of climate-friendly exports
Renewable energy, climate protection and climate change adaptation and water projects
Strengthening the export activities of the mostly small and medium-sized enterprises* operating in this sector is particularly important to the Federal Government. A presence in foreign markets plays an important role in maintaining the innovative momentum of German cutting-edge technologies for the production of renewable energies.
With the adoption of the CCSU (Climate Change Sector Understanding) of the OECD Consensus in 2012, exports of climate-friendly technologies were recognised as particularly deserving of promotion. Since the fundamental revision in the course of the consensus modernisation in 2023, in addition to renewable energies, water projects and climate change adaptation projects, particularly climate-friendly technologies are also promoted with especially long credit periods of up to 22 years. Further details can be found on the OECD website on Export Credits and in the original text of the CCSU (Annex I to the OECD Consensus).
Trust
Publication of
category A projects
Category A projects are published before the final decision on cover with export credit guarantees is taken, as they can potentially have severe environmental, social or human rights impacts.
Publication of
supported projects
Basic project data of all projects with a contract value of more than 15 million euros are published after the final commitment for cover has been made provided that the exporter has given its consent.
Background information on selected transactions
Read more about projects that have been realised with Hermes Cover.
OECD Common Approaches
Creating a level playing field
The assessment of environmental, social and human rights aspects is an important part of the decision on the eligibility of an export transaction for financing.
The procedural, assessment and transparency requirements of export credit agencies are defined in the OECD's ‘Common Approaches’.
Prevention of Bribery
One aspect of sustainable action
The absence of corruption in export transactions and their financing are essential criteria for a transaction to be eligible for funding.
Transformation
Service exports on the rise
A look at global trade data clearly shows: there is an ongoing shift in value addition and employment from the industrial sector to the service sector worldwide. According to the OECD services already account for almost half of German exports.
Strategic support for foreign projects
The German foreign trade promotion instruments have proven their worth. However, competitors from third countries are increasingly competing with political support and comprehensive financing offers, particularly in tenders for large-volume foreign projects. This creates competitive disadvantages for German providers.
The key points of the Federal Government's strategy paper provide new impetus for international competition for major strategic projects in order to improve opportunities for Germany.
Accompanying the German export industry in the transformation process
An increasingly challenging environment awaits many companies. The Federal Government provides support, among other things, through initiatives in the area of export promotion.
We are partners to the business community in this transformation.
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