Charging user-fees for its services, OPIC operates at no net cost to the American taxpayer. OPIC's political risk insurance, project finance and investment funds fill a commercial void, create a level playing field for U.S. businesses and support development in emerging economies. OPIC began operating in 1971. OPIC is a small, independent agency in the executive branch of the federal government, and is not an operating-arm of a larger agency.
OPIC clients are exclusively American companies.
Demand for OPIC services has increased, in large measure, due to the demand for large scale private sector infrastructure projects in the developing world. U.S. companies are well positioned to compete for new infrastructure projects which have significant potential to increase U.S. exports and create U.S. jobs. OPIC helps these companies compete with their foreign counterparts for these export-intensive infrastructure projects. And, OPIC helps small U.S. businesses make investments in new markets, offering the kind of individualized support that small businesses need to bring their world-class goods and services abroad. Coverage is available for equity investments in new ventures or expansions or modernizations of existing enterprises, parent company and third party loans and loan guaranties, technical assistance agreements, cross-border leases and other forms of investment exposure.