Page 43: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2000)

MARITIME INDUSTRIES & SERVICES FUND:

OPIC-SUPPORTED INVESTMENT FUND

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

BY THE

OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

An Agency of the United States Government

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation ("OPIC") is hereby announcing that it is inviting proposals for the formation and man- agement of a global Maritime Industries & Services private equity investment fund with aggregate capital of up to $200 million to be invested in privately sponsored projects that support the sustainable development of marine industries and services in the economies of

OPIC eligible countries. The primary purpose of any such fund will be to achieve long-term capital appreciation through investments in projects in this sector. Such investments will provide capital for new business development, expansion, restructuring, and privatization.

The fund will be privately owned and privately managed. OPIC is seeking proposals from quali- fied prospective fund managers. As currently contemplated by OPIC, a portion of the fund's total capital must be unguaranteed private equity, with the remainder being senior secured indebtedness loaned or guaranteed by OPIC. The proposed fund manager must demonstrate experience and success in criteria specified in the Call for Proposals found on OPIC's web site, which include (among other things) the following: the credibility and thoughtfulness of the pro- posal and its investment strategy; the track record of the proposed fund manager in making long-term private equity investments in emerging markets and the marine industries and services sector; the experience, depth, and credibility of the proposed management team; the ability to raise the private equity to capitalize the fund within a reasonable time; and the amount of OPIC support and structuring of OPIC's compensation proposed.

OPIC is a self-sustaining U.S. government agency that assists U.S. private investment in more than 140 emerging market economies and developing countries through four principal activities: loans, political risk insurance, private equity investment funds and outreach activities. OPIC assisted projects are required to uphold important American values as they pertain to human rights, worker rights, the environment, and the impact on the U.S. economy, as well as other matters.

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO OPIC BY FRI-

DAY, APRIL 28, 2000. PLEASE CONSULT THE CALL FOR PRO-

POSALS ON OPIC'S WEB SITE (WWW.OPIC.GOV) FOR

DETAILS.

March, 2000 Circle 249 on Reader Service Card 45