UAE exporters can access export finance and credit insurance through ETIHAD Credit Insurance (ECI), UAE’s federal export credit agency. ECI helps UAE companies export to international markets with protection against buyer default and political risks. This guide covers UAE export finance for 2026.
In this guide:
ETIHAD Credit Insurance (ECI) Overview
- Entity: ETIHAD Credit Insurance (ECI); established 2018; UAE federal government entity
- Role: UAE’s national export credit agency; covers UAE exporters against non-payment by overseas buyers
- Coverage: commercial risk (buyer bankruptcy, non-payment); political risk (currency restrictions, war, political instability in buyer’s country)
- Target: UAE manufacturing companies, service exporters, SMEs and large corporates exporting from UAE to international markets
ECI Products for UAE Exporters
- Whole Turnover Policy: covers all of a UAE exporter’s receivables across all buyers; comprehensive credit insurance
- Single Buyer Policy: covers receivables from one specific large buyer; good for concentrated export relationships
- Surety Bonds: bid bonds, performance bonds, advance payment guarantees to support UAE companies bidding for international contracts
- Structured Export Finance: facilitates bank financing for large UAE export contracts
How ECI Coverage Works
- Apply to ECI: submit exporter application; ECI assesses buyer creditworthiness in buyer’s country
- ECI sets credit limit: ECI approves coverage up to a specific amount per buyer (e.g., ECI covers up to AED 500K owed by specific UK buyer)
- Export under ECI cover: when invoicing buyer, ECI cover applies; if buyer defaults, ECI pays the UAE exporter 85-95% of insured amount
- Premium: typically 0.2-0.8% of insured receivables per year
ECI Benefit for UAE Free Zone Companies
- Most useful for: UAE manufacturing companies (JAFZA, KEZAD, RAKEZ industrial companies) exporting physical goods to emerging markets where buyer default risk is higher
- Service exporters: can also use ECI for large service contracts with international clients
- Bank financing: ECI coverage enables UAE exporters to get bank financing against insured receivables; banks lend more confidently against ECI-insured receivables
UAE Export Promotion — Additional Resources
- Dubai Exports (DTCM): Dubai government export promotion agency; market intelligence; trade missions; matchmaking with international buyers
- Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED): Abu Dhabi export support; Abu Dhabi Exports Office
- Emirates Global Aluminium, Mubadala-linked industrial companies: export infrastructure that SME exporters can leverage (logistics, warehousing partnerships)