MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Launches “Global Engagement Call” Offering to Invest in Funds Operating in Emerging Markets

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the US government, has launched a Global Engagement Call, inviting proposals from qualified fund managers to invest in new, expanding or privatizing companies in any of the 150 emerging markets where OPIC operates [1]. OPIC will consider providing between USD 35 million and USD 150 million in financing to each selected fund. OPIC financing, which may represent up to 33 percent of the fund’s total capitalization, will be structured as a senior loan to the fund [2].

OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield said, “Opening the Global Engagement Call to a wide range of sectors and countries, as well as to growth equity, private equity, credit and fund-of-funds, will enable OPIC to engage qualified partners who bring diverse and innovative investment strategies to emerging markets…Ultimately, this call demonstrates OPIC’s role as a global, flexible, and innovative partner for private capital in emerging markets, helping to create capacity and new financing tools for sustainable development [1].”

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 12 January 2012. For more information, you may access http://www.opic.gov/global-engagement-call/overview.

By Kristha Abores, Research Associate

About Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC):
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is an agency of the US government that was established in 1971 as a development finance institution. OPIC works with private-sector firms in the US to identify opportunities in emerging markets and create an enabling environment for private enterprise in developing countries. OPIC provides financing through direct loans as well as guarantees, political risk insurance and investment funds. As of September 30, 2010, OPIC reports total assets of USD 7 billion deployed in approximately 150 countries.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] OPIC: “OPIC Launches Global Call for New Investment Funds,” http://opic.gov/news/press-releases/2009/pr110111b

[2] OPIC: “Global Engagement Call for Proposals,” http://www.opic.gov/global-engagement-call/overview

MicroCapital.org article, July 15, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Guarantee $500m in Loans to Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) for Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt, Jordan; USAID to Fund Technical Assistance,”https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-overseas-private-investme…

MicroCapital.org article, August 5, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Citi, OPIC Loan $20m to Microfinance Program “Danamon Simpan Pinjam” of Indonesia’s Bank Danamon,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-citi-opic-loan-20m-to-mic…

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Ove…

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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