5. a. In order to effectuate the purposes of the program, the authority shall establish and maintain a special non-lapsing revolving fund to be known as the “Global Export Network Assistance Fund,” hereinafter the “network assistance fund,” which shall be credited with: (1) an amount from the Economic Recovery Fund established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c.16 (C. 34:1B-7.13) which the authority determines is necessary to effectively implement the program, within the limits of funding available from the Economic Recovery Fund, based upon the response to the program by eligible export businesses and participating banks; (2) any moneys that shall be received by the authority from the repayment of the moneys in the network assistance fund used to provide direct loans or revolving credit lines pursuant to this act and interest thereon; and (3) other moneys of the authority, including but not limited to, any moneys available from other business loan programs administered by the authority which it determines to deposit therein.

b. The authority may use the moneys in the network assistance fund established pursuant to this section for:

(1) funding direct loans or revolving lines of credit agreements for eligible export businesses for the production of goods and services for export, and guaranteeing up to 25% of the loans or lines of credit provided by participating banks, in accordance with section 7 of this act;

(2) making payments in fulfillment of the terms of any direct loans, revolving lines of credit agreements, or guarantee agreements, entered into pursuant to section 7 of this act; and

(3) defraying the administrative costs of the authority in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this act.

c. The portion of the direct loans or lines of credit provided by participating banks may be guaranteed by the authority pursuant to section 7 of this act only if an eligible export business has qualified therefor by demonstrating to the satisfaction of the authority that the eligible export business has the ability to develop new or expanded export activities, with particular emphasis on products or services which will be in high demand as a result of the expected approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) and the European Community (EC) integration, and that the eligible export business has sufficient ability, reputation and credit-worthiness.

d. The maximum amount and term of the loan, line of credit or guarantee made pursuant to this act shall be determined by the authority.

L.1993,c.197,s.5.