Eligible Australian SMEs will have the help to
better manage their exposure to volatile currency markets following an announcement of an agreement between online foreign exchange company OzForex and
the Australian Government’s Export Credit Agency: Export Finance and Insurance
Corporation (EFIC).
With the benefit of EFIC’s guarantee, OzForex will
be able to provide exporters with higher limits of foreign exchange hedging, one
of the most common ways to protect their profits against sudden shifts in
currency’s exchange rates.
OzForex CEO, Neil Helm, said the EFIC guaranteed foreign exchange facility represents an excellent tool for exporters managing their profits margins in times of economic uncertainty.
“We are very pleased to work with EFIC to help our clients to focus on growing their business without having to worry about the risks of international trade and protect their export business due to events beyond their control,” he said.
EFIC will offer a guarantee of up to $250,000 per eligible exporting customer enabling OzForex to increase the exporting customer’s hedging facility by the same amount.
EFIC’s executive director, SME & Mid Market, Andrea Govaert, said “EFIC works with SMEs that have all the ingredients for export success – innovation, drive and professionalism – but they are often restricted by the amount of collateral they can offer to underpin the growth of their business.
"Our work with OzForex is another way we can work with the commercial market to support SMEs in their export growth.”
A foreign exchange facility can help exporters hedge against currency fluctuations by locking in exchange rates.
In that way, companies which trade internationally are better able to protect their profit, and have more capital to further invest in their business.
Other benefits of applying for the guarantee are that it comes with no additional charge to exporters, and companies do not need to provide additional security for it, giving exporters the tranquillity of mind to focus on growing strategies, and help them to move into global markets.
The application process for this service is also quite direct, and it can be done following a simple few steps online.
Once the exporter has approval for a FX facility from OzForex, they can request an EFIC FX facility guarantee to increase the trading limit on their facility.
To apply for this new service, exporters need to be (or become) an OzForex customer and must also meet criteria associated with this product.
To find out if you are eligible to
take advantage of this new service, please contact OzForex on 1300 300
524 or visit www.ozforex.com.au/efic