Highlights

The overall objective of this report is to identify ways in which the Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) of South Africa's Small and Medium Transaction (SMT) can improve its product offering and its uptake.
Fact finding carried out with financial intermediaries (FIs), exporters and buyers in South Africa (SA), Zambia and Mozambique revealed that: the SMT product would be utilized much more if the implementation process leading to closing is streamlined and simplified; South African FIs are keen to provide, and FIs in Zambia and Mozambique are keen to receive, long-term loans with ECIC cover, which could fund medium and long-term loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in those countries that would finance importation of South African goods; non-bank FIs in SA are very interested in partnering with ECIC; and SA exporters need better structured and targeted pre-shipment, working capital financing.