HC Deb 10 July 1998 vol 315 cc653-4W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her latest estimate of likely ECGD losses on its portfolio in(a) Indonesia, (b) Thailand, (c) South Korea and (d) Malaysia. [49193]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: ECGD does not expect to make any losses on sovereign risk business in these markets. Payment delays have occurred in relation to a small element of commercial risk debts in Thailand and Indonesia, but it is too early to say how much loss (if any) these might lead to.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent assessment she has made of Indonesian risk under ECGD. [49197]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: ECGD completed its last formal market review of Indonesia in January 1998. The changing circumstances in the region have meant that ECGD has monitored the situation closely since then. A further formal review will commence shortly.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the country risks reviewed by ECGD in the last six months, along with the changes of terms which resulted. [49196]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: Since January 1998 ECGD has reviewed the risks on the following countries:

Month/country Change of terms
January
Bangladesh Cover increased. Premium reduced
February
Pakistan Premium increased
Indonesia Premium increased
Thailand Cover reduced. Premium increased
March
Argentina No Changes
China Cover increased. Premium reduced

Month/country Change of terms
Dominican Republic Cover increased. Premium increased
Hong Kong No changes
April
Bolivia Resumption of medium-term cover
Brazil Cover increased
Croatia Cover increased. Premium decreased
Israel No changes
Laos No medium-term cover
May
Turkey Cover increased
Greece Cover increased. Premium reduced
June
Chile Cover increased
South Korea Premium increased
July
Ghana Review not complete
Malaysia Review not complete