Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) is constantly adapting to the evolving global landscape, tailoring its product portfolio and focusing on emerging sectors like renewable energy and sustainability.

This is according to Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, who told the Berne Union Spring Meeting held in Oslo, Norway, that export credit agencies (ECAs) in Mena are supporting export growth through innovative tools and solutions and driving economic diversification in the region.

ECI, the UAE’s Federal export credit company, highlighted the crucial role of strategic partnerships in mitigating risks and bolstering national economies.

In a panel discussion focused on the Mena region at the event, Al Mazrouei said: “The region has witnessed a surge in short-term trade credit, particularly beneficial for manufacturing, and a significant rise in medium and long-term project finance.”

The discussions also addressed the challenges facing ECAs in the Mena region and how geopolitical and economic volatility necessitates vigilant risk monitoring and innovative mitigation strategies.

Commenting on the topic, Al Mazrouei said: “The impact of geopolitical tensions on trade cannot be understated as economic protectionism grows in different regions. Addressing these challenges to enable UAE businesses to navigate them requires continuous monitoring of emerging risks and tailored risk mitigation solutions in order to provide protection to exporters.

“For example, robust risk assessment tools, partnerships with other countries and ECAs, and a strong reinsurance panel with ‘A’ or higher ratings have allowed ECI to underwrite risks of up to AED500 million ($136.13 million) per single transaction.”

“We are also leveraging big data and AI to provide real-time analytics and more responsive solutions for our clients,” she added, expressing confidence in the Mena region’s potential for growth, citing the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reaching a record high in 2023 valued at AED3.5 trillion. Furthermore, ECI emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs, the backbone of the Mena economies.

Finally, highlighting the potential of collaboration in areas such as capacity building, risk sharing, knowledge exchange and business matchmaking, Al Mazrouei said: “We actively participate in reinsurance agreements, sharing risks with regional partners and fostering a more robust trade ecosystem. These strategic partnerships enable us to pool resources, expertise and strengths to increase trade confidence and enable UAE companies to succeed internationally. This collaborative approach is also fundamental to the UAE’s trade policies, driving economic prosperity.”

ECI also emphasised its commitment towards UAE’s sustainable development goals through renewable energy and sustainability financing initiatives, signified by the recently launched multi-sectoral partnership unlocking $500 million in credit insurance to catalyse private capital for Africa’s clean energy sector.

In a panel discussion focused on Climate Finance, Haitham Al Khazaleh, Director of Risk Management at ECI, said: “Building on the momentum of COP28, the most successful COP to date, ECI strives to efficiently contribute to and embrace sustainability. COP28 witnessed significant milestones, including establishing the largest private fund for mobilising $85 billion, entirely focused on sustainable projects.

“Furthermore, ECI is committed to driving sustainability through offering tailored products and expertise. Incentivising exports of sustainable goods and services and actively developing a pipeline of insurable sustainable development projects aligned with UN SDGs can be pivotal in driving green projects. For example, ECI works with lenders to secure financing for green projects that contribute to promoting responsible business practices.”

He added: “To ensure strong risk management, ECI incorporates a multi-faceted approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors. This includes classifying portfolios based on the UN SDGs, conducting comprehensive climate risk assessments, and integrating sustainability metrics like carbon footprint. ECI also actively engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including internal and external parties, to gain insights and perspectives on sustainability.”