Exim Banca Românească will receive from the Ministry of Finance, in the period 2026-2030, sums of up to 1 billion lei to supplement the fund for the support of export credits, international transactions and Romanian investments abroad for its activity as Export Credit Agency - Export Credit Agency (ECA), according to the draft law on the establishment of economic recovery measures, published by the Ministry of Finance (MF).
„Through the legislative intervention in Article XI, it is proposed to authorize the Ministry of Finance to transfer amounts of up to 1 billion lei in the period 2026 - 2030, in order to supplement the fund intended to be granted by Exim Banca Românească SA, on behalf and on behalf of the state of financial instruments to support export credits, international transactions and Romanian investments abroad for the activity as Export Credit Agency - Export Credit Agency. The current funds allocated for the export insurance activity are insufficient for Exim Banca Românească - ECA to be able to participate in supporting strategic projects, within the EU Global Gateway initiative, to facilitate access to critical raw materials for the Romanian economy, to participate in the SAFE program or other regional, EU or international programs in coordination with other ECAs in the European Union”, says the draft law, according to Agerpres.
According to the cited source, the additional funds allocated to Exim Banca Românească can catalyze private co-financing, support exports and boost the growth of financial intermediation by guaranteeing and insuring external risk financing, while generating jobs and budgetary revenues from taxes and VAT. These effects contribute to boosting the economic multiplier and reducing the trade balance deficit, says the MF.
„In this context, in view of the above, it is necessary to allocate additional funds from the state budget, in the amount of 1,000 million lei, between 2026 - 2030, for new ECA financing and guarantee products, in correlation with Romania's national interest in the current geopolitical context and the need to ensure competitive parity with the ECAs of OECD countries”the draft says.
Starting with 30.09.2025, on the basis of Law no. 96/2000, republished with subsequent amendments and additions, Exim Banca Românească is mandated to carry out, in the name and on behalf of the State, within the ECA mandate, financing, guarantee and insurance activities, financial-banking and similar operations for resident or non-resident legal entities, in order to support international transactions, as an official export credit support institution, Export Credit Agency - Export Credit Agency (ECA).
The current portfolio of Exim Banca Românească includes commercial and political risk insurance instruments on foreign markets, with an existing allocation of funds amounting to RON 400 million.
„Without products to finance foreign buyers and to guarantee/co-guarantee Romanian exporters' financing, ECA is unable to participate in complex international transactions and high-value projects required by target markets and EU initiatives, which is a critical limitation of the mandate granted by the Romanian state. As a consequence, Romanian companies are missing out on opportunities to participate in export and internationalization projects, especially in the framework of EU strategies for access to third markets (Global Gateway Strategy), access to critical raw materials (Critical Raw Materials Act - CRMA) and other projects of interest to Romania”explain the project's authors.
Global Gateway is the European Union's strategy launched in 2021 to support global sustainable development by investing in quality infrastructure, particularly in developing countries. It aims to create smart, clean and secure connections in key areas such as digitalization, energy and climate, transport, health, education and research. The strategy is being implemented through a „Team Europe” approach, bringing together the European Commission, Member States, European financial institutions and the private sector to maximize the impact of investments in target markets. The completion of Exim Banca Românească's product portfolio, as ECA of Romania, with new financing and guarantee instruments will contribute to the promotion and support of companies in need of financing for export and internationalization, facilitating the realization of projects of interest within the Global Gateway.
„Exim, as ECA, is part of the process whereby the European Commission is exploring innovative options for an EU export credit strategy to better support European exporters and promote a level playing field for EU companies in third country markets, while contributing to the EU's wider policy agenda (e.g. Green Pact, Digital Agenda, Global Gateway, NDICI Global Europe, Africa or Indo-Pacific Strategy). The coordination of Exim Banca Românească - ECA with the other export credit agencies in the European Union and with the concerted approach of the European Commission through „Team Europe” is likely to create opportunities for the development of international transactions of Romanian companies in markets in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, other geographical areas with which free trade agreements are signed for the benefit of all EU Member States”, says the document.