Export Credit

With the SMB Financial program, you can obtain a loan guarantee.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA*   Eligible Businesses Your business is eligible if it carries on the following operations: Direct or indirect sale of goods or services to customers outside Quebec.   Eligible Projects Set-up or increase a line of credit; Financing of specific contracts.   Special Requirements If necessary, your business must purchase accounts receivable insurance from a reputable organization.   Your business must have a sound financial structure, adequate management, qualified staff and a solid organization in terms of production and marketing.   *Special conditions may apply. Consult one of our advisors to learn more.

FINANCING DETAILS   Our loan guarantee is a repayment guarantee on the net loss of a line of credit, surety or letter of credit granted by a financial institution.   Terms and Conditions The minimum amount of the loan guarantee provided by Investissement Québec is $50,000. As a general rule, the maximum loan guarantee is 50%, but may be extended to 80% of the net loss. The maximum duration of financial assistance is one year, with possibility of renewal. The amount of financing provided by the financial institution varies according to the needs of the business. The interest rate is set by the financial institution. Interest is payable to the financial institution starting from the first loan disbursement. The usual securities are required based on the financing granted.   Foreign Exchange Line of Credit Protection Under certain conditions, Investissement Québec may guarantee up to 50% of a foreign exchange line of credit granted by a financial institution. Exporting businesses can protect themselves against losses resulting from currency rate fluctuations.   Fees Commitment and guarantee fees depend on the nature of the project. To find out more about the cost of financing your project, talk to an Investissement Québec advisor.

PROCEDURE   Step 1 Contact an Investissement Québec advisor , who will answer your questions and recommend the product that best suits your needs.   Step 2 The advisor will help you draw up a list of the information you must provide: business plan, nature of the project, financing sought, planned expenses, marketing plan, guarantees, etc.   Step 3 Submit your application to the financial institution of your choice. The institution will consult us to review your file; we will then contact you.     August 2006