On the occasion of her visit to Greece in June 2024, Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), spoke to Business Partners magazine about EXIM’s strategic initiatives, the opportunities these hold for Greek businesses, and the significance of partnering with organizations such as the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in supporting international trade and strengthening global economic partnerships.
When you stepped into your current role as President and Chair of EXIM in February 2022, you brought with you the experience of an impressive decades-long career in international affairs, law, public policy, business, and regulatory affairs. Tell us a bit about your path to this role.
I was raised by two parents who were small business owners in Statesboro, Georgia. They were entrepreneurs who emphasized hard work and civic participation. I have seen firsthand what it takes to run a business and grow that small business into a national business. My parents instilled a desire in my siblings and I to serve the community. That’s what drew me to this career path. But the mission and the importance of the work we do to support US companies and their customers abroad is what makes me stay.
AmCham Greece has been at the forefront of building Greece-US commercial relations for years
I began my career in public service serving as a Presidential Management Fellow under President Jimmy Carter. Over the years I’ve held several different positions in government, including serving as the first-ever Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, under Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. I was also the Vice President and Counselor to the President at the US Chamber of Commerce and served as a Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs under President Bill Clinton.
At EXIM, our mission is to provide tools and initiatives to help entrepreneurs grow and expand through exporting. And along the way, we help support good-paying US jobs across the country. Serving in this position is an honor. The work we do not only makes an impact on people and business owners across the United States but can also play a direct role in supporting jobs and companies located in Greece as well.
What is EXIM’s mission and how does it work to achieve its goals?
EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States, and we are mission-driven to support American jobs by facilitating the export of US goods and services. We work to fulfill our mission by filling gaps left by private sector financing so that US companies can compete, and win, in an increasingly crowded global marketplace. Since its establishment 90 years ago, EXIM has played a critical role in fostering economic opportunity for US companies and for partner nations that US companies do business with around the world.
We are committed to working with partners in Greece to continue advancing our shared economic goals
EXIM offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and insurance products, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, to support the export of US-made goods and services. Our products can be used by US exporters or their customers abroad who are purchasing goods or services produced in the US. When private sector lenders are unable or unwilling to provide financing, EXIM fills in the gap for US exporters and their customers abroad by equipping them with the financing tools necessary to compete for global sales. Our products have helped businesses of all sizes grow and expand their business through exporting, in turn supporting jobs globally. For decades, EXIM has financed made-in-the-US exports across a range of sectors including transportation, telecommunications, energy, and more. We believe that our financing tools can be an impactful tool to support companies here in Greece who may be looking to do business with US exporters.
EXIM also has several key mandates that help drive our work around the world, including mandates to support transactions involving small businesses, renewable energy projects, transformational exports, transactions under our China and Transformational Exports program (CTEP), and more.
Greece has considerable potential for international trade. Are there any emerging sectors in Greece that EXIM is looking to support?
We know that our current exposure in Greece is not nearly enough, and we must do more to support US exporters and their customers in Greece. That is why we traveled to Athens: to make it clear that we are committed to working with partners in Greece, at the government and private sector levels, to continue advancing our shared economic goals. EXIM is open for business in nearly all sectors, and no transaction is too large or too small for us to consider.
Some sectors of interest include renewable energy, agriculture, critical minerals, aviation, and infrastructure as well as other industries where we can support the export of US technology. We have also long prioritized increasing support for US-made renewable energy and energy storage technologies and services and are eager to play a role in supporting transactions in Greece that will help drive the global energy transition.
How do you view the role of organizations such as AmCham Greece in facilitating strategic partnerships, promoting international trade and supporting mutual economic growth?
I am proud to know that the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of building Greece-US commercial relations for years. We know how powerful of a role partners such as AmCham Greece can play in supporting US exports. Through collaboration, we can generate opportunities to finance more transactions in Greece and strengthen both of our nations’ economies in the process.
We see tremendous value in building upon our relationship with the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce as we share similar objectives of creating sustainable growth and jobs both in the US and in Greece.
How do EXIM’s initiatives contribute to economic growth and development in the US and partner countries?
EXIM works to advance economic relationships with partner nations. We work hand-in-hand with our fellow government agencies to ensure collaboration not only within the US government but with partner nations like Greece as well. We also heavily rely on our US government partners in Greece, including the US Embassy, US Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis, and the US Foreign Commercial Service.
A key part of supporting future collaborations is building partnerships here in Greece, both in government and in the private sector, and spreading the word about EXIM’s financing tools and strong commitment to supporting transactions in Greece. Our products have helped businesses of all sizes grow and expand their business through exporting, in turn supporting jobs not only in the US but in our partner nations as well. All of EXIM’s products can be used either by US exporters or their customers in Greece. We encourage companies who think they may benefit from EXIM’s financing tools to reach out to our team or go to EXIM.gov to learn more about how we may be able to provide support to their transaction.