The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) today published an Interim Response to its consultation on changes to its anti-bribery and corruption procedures introduced in December 2004.

The representations received during the initial consultation period, which ended on 18 June 2005, showed clearly that interested parties had detailed and wide-ranging views. After carefully considering these, ECGD has reached a settled view on the appropriate underlying principles. On the key specific issues covered by the consultation, ECGD has identified certain provisional conclusions on which it is inviting comment from interested parties during a further round of consultation.

It is intended that a final Government Response to the consultation should be published by the end of this year.  

The Interim Response to the consultation, the representations received to date, and the minutes of the three meetings involving ECGD officials and consultees, can be found at www.ecgd.gov.uk/index/pi_home/pi_pc/abc_int_resp.htm

The closing date for representations on the Interim Response is 18 November 2005.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. ECGD, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, is the UK’s official Export Credit Agency. A Government Department reporting to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, it has nearly 90 years’ experience of working closely with exporters, project sponsors, banks and buyers to help UK exporters of capital equipment and project-related goods and services. ECGD does this by providing:

• insurance against non-payment to UK exporters;
• help in arranging finance packages for buyers of UK goods by guaranteeing bank loans; and
• Overseas Investment Insurance which gives UK investors insurance against political risks.

2. More information about ECGD, including other press releases, can be found on its website at www.ecgd.gov.uk

ECGD PRESS ENQUIRIES:

Azara Bibi, ECGD Press Office, Tel: 020 7512 7421

(Out of Hours: 07990 887852)