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News / 30 June 2020

Extra export support from the government must stimulate green growth

Almost 40 civil society organisations and networks from around the world, including Both ENDS, today sent a letter to Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag and State Secretary for Finance Hans Vijlbrief. They are asking the ministers to ensure that the expansion of export credit insurance as a result of the Corona crisis contributes to a green recovery.

The Dutch government stimulates the export of goods and services in a wide variety of ways. If a company's international activities bear a high financial risk, it can apply for insurance or a guarantee from the state through Atradius Dutch State Business (ADSB), which provides export credit insurance. To give exports and international economic activities an extra stimulus during the Corona crisis, the government has expanded the eligibility criteria for export credit insurance.

Support for the fossil sector not in line with the Paris goals

Many other countries also have export credit facilities and many have, like the Netherlands, expanded their support to encourage economic recovery. In practice, much of the export credit support provided by the Netherlands and other countries goes to activities and companies active in the fossil sector. That is against the Paris climate goals and undermines the investments made by these same governments in climate policy.

Expanded export support only for activities that contribute to greening the global economy

That is why today's letter to the Dutch ministers – which is also being sent to governments in Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom and South Korea – asks for export credit support only to be provided in a transparent manner to strengthen the greening of the global economy and phase out dependence on fossil fuels.

 

More information (also see 'read more about this subject' below)

The letter to governments

Why does Both ENDS work on export credit agencies and how do we do this?

Website ECA-Watch

For more information

Read more about this subject