EX-IM BANK CHAIRMAN ADVANCES U.S.-VIETNAM TRADE TIES DURING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO HANOI
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) Chairman Philip Merrill met today with a broad range of government officials and business leaders in Vietnam during a visit to Hanoi to promote trade ties between the two nations.
Exports mean more business for companies and better lives for people on both sides of any transaction, Merrill said.It is clearly in both Vietnam's and America's interest to increase bilateral trade.We're here to find out how we can be helpful.
Merrill met with senior government leaders and also addressed a luncheon meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and a dinner meeting of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his remarks, Merrill noted that Ex-Im Bank is providing Vietnam Airlines (VNA) with a long-term loan guarantee to support the airline's purchase of four Boeing 777-200ER commercial aircraft.Two of the aircraft already have been delivered, and two more will be delivered in 2004.
Ex-Im Bank is open in Vietnam to do business with the private sector for short- and medium-term transactions, and with the public sector for short-, medium- and long-term transactions.
Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 70th year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct loans. In fiscal year 2003, Ex-Im Bank, an independent federal agency, authorized financing to support $14.3 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. For more information on Ex-Im Bank visit http://www.exim.gov.