馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica 路 Category 8 of 9
Trade finance providers
The National EXIM Bank of Jamaica offers pre- and post-shipment financing and export credit insurance tailored to MSME exporters, alongside commercial banks.
Overview
Cash flow is the quiet killer of small export deals: you have to buy inputs, produce and ship long before a foreign buyer pays. Jamaica's dedicated answer is the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank), the Caribbean's first export-import bank, which provides pre-shipment financing (to fund production of a confirmed order), post-shipment financing (bridging the gap until the buyer pays), lines of credit and export credit insurance that protects you against a foreign buyer defaulting. EXIM deliberately targets SMEs in non-traditional exports such as agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism-linked and creative-industry goods. Commercial banks and the Development Bank of Jamaica also offer facilities, and JAMPRO can point you to the right door. For a first-time exporter, export credit insurance is often the unlock: it lets you offer a buyer open-account terms without carrying the full risk of non-payment yourself.
Key requirements
- 1
A confirmed export order or contract
Financing is usually tied to a real order; have the buyer's purchase order or contract ready.
- 2
Registered, tax-compliant business
Lenders expect a registered business with a TRN and reasonably up-to-date tax filings.
- 3
Financial statements and cash-flow projection
Provide recent financials and a projection showing how the export deal is repaid.
- 4
Suitable product / sector
EXIM focuses on productive-sector and non-traditional exports; confirm your activity qualifies.
- 5
Consider export credit insurance
Use export credit insurance to cover the risk of a foreign buyer failing to pay.
Documents you will need
- Business registration and TRN
- Recent audited or management financial statements
- Export order or sales contract
- Cash-flow projection / business plan
- Proforma or commercial invoice
- Bank statements