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Switzerland is among the world’s 20 leading export nations. In 2023, exports of goods and services amounted to around CHF 378 billion, with imports totaling CHF 329 billion. More than 40% of total exports are generated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

As attractive as international sales markets are, they also entail a wide range of risks. Exporters often need to make advance payments long before receiving customer payments. At the same time, many international buyers insist on securities before making a down payment or even signing a contract.

Furthermore, customers abroad often lack the necessary liquidity. This is where export financing comes in – with solutions that secure both domestic production and foreign payments. �۶���Ƶ and the Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) jointly provide practical solutions for exporters and their customers.

Selling machinery or equipment often requires capital long before money from the customer flows in. Raw materials must be ordered, machines produced, and sometimes financed over months. Two instruments help bridge this gap:

Working capital loan

With working capital loans, Swiss companies can pre-finance the manufacture of their export products – often a prerequisite for large orders. This is also known as export financing with SERV coverage.

The financing is provided by �۶���Ƶ. Thanks to the  by SERV, the loan can also be granted if no additional collateral is available. Repayment takes place once the exporter has been paid by the international customer.

Bond guarantee

Many customers abroad require guarantees before making down payments or signing a contract – for example, advance payment guarantees, performance guarantees or warranty guarantees. �۶���Ƶ issues such guarantees on behalf of the export company. To ensure the company does not need to provide its own collateral, �۶���Ƶ reinsures the risk with SERV through a so-called . This reinsurance builds trust with customers while preserving the exporter’s liquidity.

International customers often request extended payment terms – whether due to limited liquidity or local interest rate levels. To allow exporters to grant such terms without delaying their own cash flow, �۶���Ƶ offers two proven models. In both cases, SERV covers 95% of the payment default risk – enabling �۶���Ƶ to reliably finance the exporter or their customer.

Supplier credit

With a , the export company enters into a loan agreement with its customer abroad. �۶���Ƶ pays the exporter the full invoice amount immediately after delivery. The customer repays �۶���Ƶ in installments, with SERV covering the default risk. For the exporter, this means immediate cash flow with minimal risk – while offering the customer attractive payment terms.

Buyer credit

With a buyer credit, �۶���Ƶ enters directly into a loan agreement with the exporter's customer. �۶���Ƶ pays the purchase price to the exporter, and the customer repays �۶���Ƶ – also with . This model is particularly suited to very large projects. The advantage for exporters: financing is fully handled by �۶���Ƶ and SERV, leaving them with minimal risk and prompt payment upon delivery.

Whether it's pre-financing an order, securing a major project, or flexible payment terms for international customers – export financing offers long-term, sustainable solutions tailored precisely to the needs of export companies and their customers.

The key is that there’s a solution for almost every situation – individually structured, supported in partnership, and designed with cross-border growth in mind.