Foreign Trade and Investment
Promotion Scheme
Realising business abroad with the support of the Federal Government of Germany
Strengthening the German economy in its activities abroad
Export Credit Guarantees, Investment Guarantees and Untied Loan Guarantees have been established and effective foreign trade promotion instruments of the Federal Government for decades.
Export Credit Guarantees (so-called Hermes Cover) protect German exporters and banks financing exports against political and commercial risks. Untied Loan Guarantees are to support raw material projects abroad regarded as eligible for promotion by the Federal Government. Investment Guarantees hedge eligible German direct investments abroad against political risks that may occur.
This three promotion instruments play an important role in fostering economic growth as well as in protecting and creating jobs. Federal Government commissioned Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft to manage the federal funding instruments Export Credit Guarantees and Untied Loan Guarantees. The Guarantees for Direct Investments Abroad are managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
One particular target is the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises. Ensuring equal opportunities in international competition also means not losing sight of the sustainability of foreign activities.
Information on other foreign trade promotion instruments of the Federal Government can be found at
The promotion scheme at a glance
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Federal Export Credit Guarantees
Export protection at a glance.
With the export credit guarantee scheme the Federal Government offers an efficient instrument for the promotion of foreign trade because it
- makes it possible to open up difficult markets
- offers protection against non-payment
- makes export financing easier
- creates a level playing field in international competition
- supports also small and medium-sized enterprises
- preserves jobs in Germany
Find out about the latest news on export promotion, meet the export community at our or partner events and get in-depth knowledge about the development of the Guarantee Instrument in the annual report.
Federal United Loan Guarantees
Raw material hedging at a glance.
United Loan Guarantees support projects abroad which are eligible for cover or in the particular interest of the Federal Republic of Germany – especially projects designed to secure the supply of raw materials for Germany.
United Loan Guarantees offer you as creditor protection against the loss of covered receivables due to
commerial risks:
- insolvency of the borrower
- protracted default
and political risks:
- state intervention, war and warlike events
- non-conversion/non-transfer of local currency amounts
Get informed about the latest news on commodity hedging, meet us at our or partner events and get in-depth knowledge about the development of the Guarantee Instrument in the annual report.
Federal Investment Guarantees
Investment hedging at a glance
Investing abroad may expose investors to an uncertain political environment. These political risks are neither predictable nor avoidable by investors.
Investment Guarantees protect foreign direct investments against:
- nationalization
- expropriation-like acts
- war, civil unrest
- payment embargoes and moratoriums
- convertibility and transfer risks
Eligible for cover are direct investments irrespective of their size:
- equity participations
- investment-like loans
- endowment capital and other rights qualifying as assets
Find out about the latest news on state support for direct investments abroad, meet the investor community at our events or partner events and get in-depth knowledge about the development of the guarantee instrument in the annual report.
In the Film
Combined use of cover instruments
In many cases exporters become investors abroad. Frequently, not only marketing and service companies but also production lines are set up in the importing country. It is therefore possible to apply for state guarantes to be used together.
Market development programme
for small and medium enterprises
The benefits for you
With its Market Development Programme, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action offers small and medium-sized enterprises events and trips to help them expand into international markets.
- First-hand market information
- Assess export strategies and prevent risks
- Explore new markets
- Build networks and make contacts
- Meet business partners on site
- Increase success in foreign business and exports
- Significant time and cost savings
