For equipment and machinery more extended schedules range from six months to two years. The local banking system provides sources of short and long-term credit and access to venture capital. The ExIm Bank has most of the leading Israeli banks as correspondents and may supplement private sources of export financing with medium and long-term loans. The ExIm Bank can also provide Israeli buyers with fixed-rate financing for their purchases from U.S. exporters. No special credit instruments are available to U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities, nor does Israel receive PL-480 or similar program commodity grants.
Direct loans are available to projects sponsored by U.S. small businesses.
OPIC can also provide fee-based feasibility studies to companies considering overseas investments. ExIm Bank provides project finance through its Project Finance Division, established in June, 1994. Upon completion of a favorable evaluation, within 45 days from the commencement of the evaluation by the Bank and a contracted financial consultant, a preliminary project letter will be issued indicating the bank's willingness to move forward on the financing offer. For more information on financing opportunities, interested U.S. companies should contact these organizations directly. Interested parties should contact their U.S. banker or these Israeli banks directly for more detailed information on their respective services.