NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The US EXIM Bank is looking to expand its reach in the region according to its top executive who confirmed that meetings with the government on financing opportunities, particularly in the clean and renewable energy space.
US EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis said during a Zoom interview with local journalists on Friday that the bank is looking to provide more financing in the region and is now speaking directly with regional leaders to ascertain what type of financing it can provide.
“We currently have a $10 million exposure in The Bahamas and then throughout the region, the Caribbean, and Latin America we have had over $5.5 billion worth of financing provided that has been provided,” Lewis said.
“In CARICOM it is a little more than $56 million. Is that enough, no it’s not. We are here to talk and speak directly with the leadership of these nations to let them know the types of funding we can provide, such as loans, loan guarantees, and insurance products. It is all backed by the credit of the US to support the export of US-made goods and services and support those companies as they are creating jobs,” said Lewis.
Lewis said that the US EXIM Bank is “totally back in business” and is looking to expand its reach in the Caribbean and support US exporters looking to conduct trade and business with CARICOM and The Bahamas.
Lewis noted that she met with Prime Minister Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, and other ministers of government during which time the workings of the US EXIM Bank were explained and discussions were held regarding the advancement of manufacturing products in areas such as clean energy technology, renewables, and energy storage.
According to Lewis, clean energy and renewables are a priority for the US EXIM Bank and the Bahamian government. Lewis said that while discussions were very broad there was a focus on global health and health security, the need for more hospitals and healthcare facilities, the education sector, technology issues, and food security.
Lewis also noted that discussions were held with some private sector companies and the US EXIM Bank is also looking to strengthen partnerships with the banking sector.
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