Overseas Private Investment Corporation in the United States

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation promotes economic growth in
developing countries and emerging markets by encouraging U.S. private investment in
those nations.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established in
1971 as an independent agency by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring
Act (112 Stat. 2681–790). OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters
economic development in new and emerging markets, complements
the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct
investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. OPIC charges market-based
fees for its products, and it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to
taxpayers.

OPIC helps U.S. businesses compete in emerging markets when private
sector support is not available. OPIC offers up to $250 million in long-term
?nancing and/or political risk insurance to U.S. companies investing in over
150 emerging markets and developing countries. Backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government, OPIC advocates for U.S. investment, offers
experience in risk management, and draws on an outstanding record of
success.

OPIC mobilizes America’s private sector to advance U.S. foreign policy
and development initiatives. Projects supported by OPIC expand economic
development, which encourages political stability and free market reforms. Over
the agency’s 35 year history, OPIC has supported $177 billion worth of
investments that have helped developing countries to generate over $13 billion
in host government revenues and over 800,000 host country jobs. OPIC projects
have also generated $71 billion in U.S. exports and supported more than
271,000 American jobs. OPIC promotes U.S. best practices by requiring projects
to adhere to international standards on the environment, worker rights, and
human rights.

Activities

OPIC insures U.S. investors, contractors, exporters, and financial institutions
against political violence, expropriation of assets by foreign governments, and
the inability to convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. OPIC can insure up
to $250 million per project and has no minimum investment size requirements.
Insurance is available for investments in new ventures, expansions of
existing enterprises, privatizations, and acquisitions with positive developmental
bene?ts.

OPIC provides ?nancing through direct loans and loan guaranties for mediumand
long-term private investment. Loans range from $100,000 to $250 million for projects sponsored by U.S. companies, and ?nancing can be provided on a
project ?nance or corporate ?nance basis. In most cases, the U.S. sponsor is
expected to contribute at least 25 percent of the project equity, have a track record
in the industry, and have the means to contribute to the financial success of the
project.

To address the lack of suf?cient equity investment in emerging markets, OPIC
has supported the creation of privately owned and managed investment funds
that make direct equity and equityrelated investments in new, expanding,
or privatizing companies. These funds, which have a regional or sectoral focus,
provide the long-term growth capital that can serve as a catalyst for private
sector economic activity in developing countries and the creation of new
markets and opportunities for American companies.

Helping America’s small businesses grow through investments in emerging
markets is an important OPIC priority.

Any small business with annual revenues less than $35 million is eligible for small
business center programs. For businesses with annual revenues over $35 million
and under $250 million, OPIC’s regular small business programs are available.
OPIC provides direct loans to U.S. small businesses and offers insurance products
to meet the special needs of small businesses. Other client services include
streamlined applications and processing procedures and online small business
resources available at www.opic.gov.

For further information, contact the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, 1100 New York Avenue NW.,Washington, DC 20527. Phone, 202–336–8400. Fax, 202–336–7949. Internet, http://www.opic.gov.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (opic) in the International Business Landscape

Definition of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (opic) in the context of U.S. international business and public trade policy: U.S. government agency that promotes U.S. international business activities by providing political risk insurance.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

In Legislation

Overseas Private Investment Corporation in the U.S. Code: Title 22, Chapter 32, Subchapter I, Part II, Subpart iv

The current, permanent, in-force federal laws regulating overseas private investment corporation are compiled in the United States Code under Title 22, Chapter 32, Subchapter I, Part II, Subpart iv. It constitutes “prima facie” evidence of statutes relating to Foreign Relations (including overseas private investment corporation) of the United States. The reader can further narrow his/her legal research of the general topic (in this case, Foreign Assistance and Investment of the US Code, including overseas private investment corporation) by chapter and subchapter.