Bpifrance Assurance Export

Bpifrance Assurance Export, a subsidiary of Bpifrance, is a French export credit agency.  The Foreign Investment Insurance is available for all companies incorporated under French law that want to protect their foreign investments against political risks. The insurance is also available to banks granting a loan to a foreign subsidiary of the French parent company.

The insurance is irrevocable, set at a fixed rate and covers capital investments, securities, long-term bank loans and shareholder loans.

The following political risk categories are covered:

• Non-payment and/or non-transfer of guaranteed amounts payable to the investor.
• Non-compliance of foreign authorities with specific contractual commitments.
• Voluntary acts of public authorities in the foreign country, such as expropriation, nationalization or modification of legislation relating to foreign investments, that cause inability to exercise investment rights.
• Political violence: Partial or total destruction of assets, hindrances to normal functioning.

Only companies incorporated in France are eligible. The insurance applies for investments into a new or existing company overseas; this includes investments into special purpose vehicles that are being set up for the deployment of infrastructure projects.

The instrument is offered globally, and insurance decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Priority is given to investments in countries that have a bilateral investment agreement with France.

• Size of coverage: Up to 95 per cent of the insured investment value can be covered.
• Tenor of coverage: Long-term cover between 3 and 20 years.
• Costs: The premium ranges between 0.2 per cent and 0.8 per cent of the investment value.

http://www.bpifrance.com/What-can-we-do-for-you/Export-Insurance