Financing Large‑Scale Middle East Projects
The Middle East is undergoing a transformative phase: energy diversification, water infrastructure expansion, and urban smart‑city development. These capital‑intensive sectors—oil & gas, water treatment, and infrastructure—require long‑term, low-cost financing that local banks often can’t provide. Enter EXIM Bank financing, a powerful tool that, when packaged correctly, can unlock U.S. capital and technology for major MENA projects.
The Financing Gap in the Middle East
Recent studies show that domestic banking in MENA struggles to finance SMEs and large export purchases—often due to regulatory weaknesses, limited collateral, and high interest rates (img.exim.gov). This gap opens opportunities for U.S. export credit agency (EXIM Bank) backed loans to step in, particularly for projects involving U.S. equipment or services.
What Is EXIM Bank Financing?
EXIM is the official export credit agency of the U.S., offering direct loans, loan guarantees, working capital guarantees, and export credit insurance. It promotes U.S. export competitiveness by supporting foreign buyers purchasing U.S.-origin goods/services at favorable terms. Interest rates typically range around 4–6%, with repayment periods up to 10–18 years, especially for environmental or infrastructure projects (Reuters).
Why EXIM Matters for MENA Companies
Cheaper, longer-term capital than local loans
Government-backed guarantees reduce lender risk
Supports projects where 75–85% of content is U.S.‑sourced
Allows use of export credit insurance to mitigate political/commercial risks
Real Use Cases: Water & Infrastructure
Jordan’s Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination & Conveyance Project
Jordan’s Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, planned to deliver ~300 million m³/year via a solar-powered reverse osmosis plant and pipeline, typifies the scale and complexity of water infrastructure needs. Costing over $2.5 billion, it is funded through blended structures involving EU soft loans and international lenders ([turn0search23] (World Bank, Wikipedia, Barron's)).
This project illustrates the finance model crucial to Amberhill’s approach: using multi-sourced capital while ensuring high U.S. content to qualify for EXIM support.
Jordan’s Disi Water Conveyance Project
Though not EXIM-financed, the Disi Water Conveyance Project in Jordan—a $1.1 billion build‑operate‑transfer project—found capital via multilateral and private equity, highlighting the scale of external funding possible when backed by credible multinational firms ([turn0search24] (Wikipedia)). Amberhill leverages this appetite for capital-intensive water infrastructure and positions EXIM financing as a U.S.-origin funding layer.
Oil & Gas Sector Insights
EXIM‑Backed Oil & Gas Deals
In 2024, EXIM considered financing a $100 million Baker field expansion in Bahrain, despite political controversy surrounding fossil fuel support, underscoring its legal neutrality that sector cannot be excluded ([turn0news21] (World Bank, Reuters)).
Separately, EXIM approved a $69.8 million direct loan to support U.S. oil and gas equipment exports, tied to job growth and production increases in shallow-water operations ([turn0search0] (EXIM)).
Recent board approval of a $4.7 billion LNG equipment and services transaction further demonstrates EXIM’s ability to underpin mega energy deals with American suppliers, supporting thousands of jobs ([turn0search9] (EXIM)).
Those deals reflect Amberhill’s potential to serve oil & gas infrastructure clients, centering on U.S.-manufactured turbines, compressors, control systems, drilling rigs, and more—facilitated by EXIM loans or guarantees.
Amberhill’s Turnkey Model
1. Eligibility & Intake
Amberhill begins with a qualification assessment, including company track record, audited financials, DUNS/UEI status, and U.S. content planning.
2. Application & Packaging
We guide clients through EXIM documentation requirements—financial statements, environmental approvals, U.S. content evidence, export control classification, and more—ensuring audit-readiness.
3. Lender Negotiations
Amberhill works with EXIM-approved U.S. commercial banks, pushing for favorable loan structure, interest rates, and tenor. Where appropriate, export credit insurance is sourced to mitigate risk.
4. Procurement & Logistics
Parallel to financing, Amberhill identifies U.S. suppliers, negotiates pricing and terms, and manages logistics and customs—ensuring required U.S. content thresholds for EXIM eligibility are met.
5. Project Delivery & Compliance
We oversee post-shipment compliance, progress reporting, and client relationships throughout the financing cycle.
Benefits to Stakeholders
For MENA Buyers: Long-term cheap capital, high-quality U.S. suppliers, simplified process
For U.S. Exporters: Access to financeable buyers in MENA, export credit insurance, sales growth
For U.S. Banks / Lenders: Pre-vetted borrowers, risk mitigation, pipeline growth
Investors / Partners: High-margin business model (5% funding + 5% procurement), expanding demand
Hypothetical Use Case
Consider a $300 million water treatment project in the UAE—a desalination or wastewater plant requiring predominantly U.S. origin membranes and adaptive robotics. Amberhill would structure ~85% U.S. content financing via EXIM, negotiate procurement contracts, manage logistics, and support lender interactions. At 5% loan facilitation fee ($12M) plus 5% procurement fee ($12M), Amberhill generates ~$24M revenue while delivering vital infrastructure at low finance cost.
Key Considerations & Risks
U.S. content requirements must be met (75–85%)
Export controls (EAR/ITAR), OFAC sanctions screening, and audit compliance are critical
Sector sensitivity—in oil & gas, ENV policy scrutiny exists but EXIM legally cannot refuse projects based solely on sector ([turn0news21] (Reuters))
For Middle Eastern companies financing large-scale projects in water treatment, infrastructure, or oil & gas, EXIM Bank financing offers unmatched benefits. Amberhill Global Solutions delivers a full-stack service—combining eligibility screening, loan packaging, U.S. procurement, logistics management, and compliance oversight—to unlock U.S.-backed capital efficiently.
Whether you're planning a desalination plant in Jordan, infrastructure expansion in Saudi Arabia, or oil & gas upgrades in Bahrain, Amberhill can help structure the financing and procurement to deliver critical impact.
Contact us today to schedule an eligibility assessment and explore how EXIM Bank financing can unlock U.S. capital for your project’s success.
