OPIC CEO Elizabeth Littlefield wants to double loan portfolio in Haiit

Mrs Elizabeth Littlefield, CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was in Haiti earlier in the week to present to the Haitian private sector the different financing options OPIC offers companies in Emerging Markets. Currently OPIC’s loan portfolio exposure to Haiti is $70 million and OPIC intends to double its loan portfolio to $140 million over the next couple of years. The criteria for companies to access financing from OPIC differ from other Development Finance organizations or Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) since the company must have a US citizen with 25% stake in the company. Funds can be disbursed in 4 to 6 months as long that the borrower fills out all necessary documents, and the project is bankable.

Several Haitian companies were present at the luncheon, trying to learn how to take advantage of this opportunity for their expansion plans.