Presidential Order Enables U.S. Small Business to Sell Computers for Use in Sudanese Election

Ex-Im Bank Financing Supports the Sale of Equipment to Train Election Workers, Tabulate Results, and Develop Post-Election Policies

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A small business in New Gloucester, Maine, will export computers to Sudan for use in a key upcoming election now that President Barack Obama has issued an order allowing financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) to support the sale.

Planson International Corporation, a small, woman-owned company that supplies technology to the aid and development community, will export computers and software to Sudan, backed by a $1.5 million revolving working capital loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank.  The equipment will be used for voter registration, demographic data analysis, vote tallying and post-referendum policy development.

The export will help the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) facilitate a Jan. 9, 2011 referendum on southern Sudan self-determination, pursuant to a 2005 peace accord between northern and southern Sudan.

"We are very pleased that Ex-Im Bank financing will enable Planson International Corporation to make this sale, and we're proud to see American technology being used as part of the democratic election process in Sudan," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred. P. Hochberg."

In a presidential memorandum citing "the national security interest of the United States," President Obama waived a section of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act that bans U.S. export assistance, credit and guarantees for commercial exports to Sudan, thus allowing the export of U.S. computers and related equipment in fulfillment of this contract.  

The guaranteed lender on the transaction is Bank of America.

Ex-Im Bank is the official export-credit agency of the United States. The independent, self-sustaining federal government agency helps to create and maintain U.S. jobs by financing the sales of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world. For more information on Ex-Im Bank visit www.exim.gov.

SOURCE Export-Import Bank of the United States

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