Government help for exporters

Debt conversion and countertrading

Guide

UK Export Finance's debt conversion scheme allows a proportion of outstanding debts owed to UK Export Finance by a number of countries to be converted into local currency at a discount for investment in local projects approved by UK Export Finance and the government of the country concerned.

You can negotiate to purchase the debt at a discount, and then receive local currency to invest in approved local projects in one or more of the following eligible countries:

  • Bosnia
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Indonesia
  • Kenya
  • Pakistan
  • Serbia
  • Vietnam

Typical projects include:

  • education
  • agriculture
  • rehabilitation programmes
  • commercial investments
  • health and medical projects

The UK Export Finance scheme supports companies investing in this way. 

Applications are assessed by:

  • social and environmental impact
  • value for money
  • the company's experience in the field
  • the resources available

Countertrading

Countertrading is a catch-all term for reciprocal trade. Barter is the simplest form, with goods (or services) being exchanged for other goods (or services). As economies have evolved, so have more sophisticated forms of countertrading.

  • UK Export Finance Enquiry Line
    020 7271 8010