The GSM-102 program helps ensure that credit is
available to finance commercial exports of U.S. agricultural
products to developing countries, while providing competitive
credit terms in these countries. Under this program, Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC) reduces the financial risk to lenders
by guaranteeing payments due from approved foreign banks to
exporters or financial institutions in the United States.
This program announcement is issued in
accordance with title 7, section 1493.10(d), of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
COMMODITY ALLOCATIONS
Exporters may apply for credit guarantees on a
first-come, first-served basis. These guarantees are to cover
sales of any of the commodities specified in the GSM list of
commodities. The latest commodity list can be obtained by
accessing the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Web page at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/gsmcommodities.html.
Applications will be accepted beginning at the following time:
Beginning Time:
9:00 AM in the Eastern Standard Time Zone
Beginning Date: Oct. 10, 2006
The allocation does not assign dollar amounts to
any of the commodities specified in the GSM list of commodities,
providing buyers and sellers maximum flexibility in arranging
the size of their transactions within the scope of the overall
allocation.
TERMS OF COVERAGE
In accordance with section 1493.20(v)(1), this
announcement offers coverage on a free-alongside-ship or
free-on-board basis. For breeder livestock, animal genetics,
feeder cattle and poultry breeder stock sold on a
cost-and-freight or cost-insurance-and–freight basis, coverage
on a cost-and-freight basis to point of ocean transportation or
international air carrier discharge is also available in
accordance with section 1493.20(v)(2). Coverage is not available
under this announcement for insurance costs.
Coverage of up to 98 percent of the principal is
offered on credit terms from 30 days to three years, except for
solid wood products, wood pulp, and wood chips, for which
coverage is offered on credit terms of up to 720 days.
Adjustable interest coverage is also offered in accordance with
FAS program announcement PR 0105-05 issued July 15, 2005, or as
superseded.
ELIGIBLE BANKS IN TURKEY
Any bank approved by CCC for this country is
eligible. For a complete list of eligible banks, refer to the
CCC "GSM Program Foreign Bank Obligors" Web page located at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/foreignbanks.html.
Exporters are advised to obtain from their foreign buyer the
name of the CCC-approved foreign bank that will be opening the
letter of credit.
GUARANTEE FEE RATES
Pursuant to section 1493.70, a complete list of
fees is available on the CCC "GSM-102 Guarantee Fee Rate
Schedule" Web page located at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/gsm102fees.html. These
fees are listed by risk category. A complete list of countries
and their associated risk category is available on the CCC
"Country Risk Category" Web page located at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/countryrisk.html.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Sales must be registered with CCC by Sept. 30,
2007. Exporters' contractual arrangements must call for exports
within 90 days of the date of registration or by Nov. 30, 2007,
whichever date is earliest. No extensions to the export date
will be permitted.
Coverage on sales to Turkey also includes the
credit option set forth below.
Length (Term) of Coverage: 36
months
Principal
Repayment Intervals: 15/36 repayment at 15
months, 9/36 at 24 months and 12/36 at 36
months.
POINTS OF CONTACT
For further information, contact the Contract
and Registration Branch of FAS at (202) 720-3224, or by e-mail
at AskGSM@fas.usda.gov.
For the latest updates on FAS programs and
activities, go to the FAS Web page at
http://www.fas.usda.gov.