Bangkok--11 Sep--EXIM Thailand Dr. Apichai Boontherawara, President of Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), revealed that, during the first half of 2008, EXIM Thailand worked vigorously with related public and private sectors under its new role as “Development Bank” to provide financial and non-financial services to Thai businesses at home and abroad. The Bank’s products are aimed to support national development amidst world financial crisis and inflation condition in Thailand. In the first half of this year, EXIM Thailand approved new credits and export credit insurance policies in the total amount of 10,896 million baht with over 4,424 million baht in committed credit line awaiting contract signing. During the same period, the Bank approved new credits totaling 1,509 million baht to support domestic businesses in fulfillment of its new role in promoting infrastructure and logistics improvement, such as land and sea transportation, distribution centers as well as Thailand’s overall economic development. Projects worth another 3,364 million baht are under consideration. While a total of 100 million baht was approved in support of energy and renewable energy development, additional credit lines totaling 2,957 million baht are under consideration. Further, EXIM Thailand provided financing for the import of capital goods, machinery and production technology to enhance the quality of Thai export products by approving new credits totaling 3,741 million baht with another 3,500 million baht worth of committed credit line still under consideration. During the first half of 2008, EXIM Thailand approved new loans and guarantees in the total amount of 1,389 million baht to Thai investors abroad, with additional credit lines under consideration totaling 5,885 million baht. The Bank was also successful in joining Asian Development Bank (ADB), Gramercy Advisors/Arco Capital Management Family of Funds (Arco) and Foreign Trade Bank (FTB) of Cambodia to co-finance the power grid lines construction project undertaken by Power Transmission Lines Company Limited. Utilizing EXIM Thailand’s syndicated loan valued at 20 million US dollars, the project construction started from the Thai border to Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The project will contribute to further infrastructural and economic development in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Moreover, it marks the first ADB’s financial support to a private investment project of Cambodia. With a commitment to upgrade its services and products continuously, this year EXIM Thailand expands the scope of its Export Credit Insurance through Commercial Banks facility with an aim to boost Thai exporters’ confidence and help mitigate their risks associated with international trade, particularly in the new markets. EXIM Thailand introduced its new “EXIM FLEXI” insurance service which offers more flexible premium rates and better benefits, up to 90% of loss realized, to insurance policy holders. This new insurance product also provides both exporters and EXIM Thailand officers with greater convenience in terms of reduced costs and work process. As state-owned specialized financial institutions, EXIM Thailand and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) forged stronger cooperation to provide fully-integrated international trade financing services to SME clients to enhance their production capability and competitiveness in the global marketplace. Further, in proactively pursuing its new role in stimulating the Thai business sector’s growth, EXIM Thailand invested 100 million baht in the MFC Energy Fund. This move aligned with the government schemes to promote national energy security and the development of new energy sources, particularly alternative and renewable energy, in Thailand. In the first half of 2008, EXIM Thailand posted a net profit of 58 million baht. As of the end of June 2008, the Bank had total assets of 59,596 million baht while the loans and accrued interest receivables stood at 52,103 million baht. According to EXIM Thailand President, in the second half of 2008, EXIM Thailand will continue to earnestly fulfill its role as a development bank by further promoting international trade, Thai investment expansion and economic advancement. In line with this objective, Thai EXIM International Company Limited was incorporated in May 2008. The opening of the Bank’s first overseas office in Moscow is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2008 with an objective to facilitate Thai-Russian trade. Moreover, EXIM Thailand will expand its collaboration with other financial institutions including Government Savings Bank to promote Thai businesses domestically and internationally. The Bank also focuses on streamlining its banking operations and human resources management with an aim to achieve the Bank’s vision to become a prominent trade and investment financial institution in the Greater Mekong Subregion for economic development. For further information, please contact Public Relations Division, Office of Top Management Tel. 0 2271 3700, 0 2278 0047, 0 2617 2111 ext. 1140-6