a. Currently, despite the existence of banks with active international export departments, small and medium-sized businesses in New Jersey find it difficult to obtain pre-export financing and other export finance services needed to defray the costs of potentially profitable orders.

b. Although there is currently a State-sponsored export working capital program for small and medium-sized businesses and an export loan guarantee program offered in conjunction with participating banks, relatively few transactions have been approved under these programs.

c. The public interest calls for encouraging the growth of exports and small and medium-sized businesses as well as providing stimulation to the economy and to employment by the creation of an export financing company supported by both public and private funds.

d. The public funding of an export financing company shall be accomplished by the purchase of stock or an interest in the company, as the case may be, by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and other public entities involved in international export markets, such purchases to be specifically limited as to the percentage of participation.

e. The capitalization of the export financing company would be so structured that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and other public entities would incur minimal risk on their investment, with private investors assuming most of the risk and earning more of the profits should the new venture prove successful.

L.1995,c.209,s.2; amended 1999, c.38, s.1.