Soft Loans as an Instrument of Export Promotion and Development Assistance

The study evaluates the effectiveness of the Austrian soft loan system with respect to foreign market entry, export volumes, the realisation of commercial follow-up business as well as technological spill-over effects in the sending country and with respect to achievements of development goals in receiving countries. It rates soft-loan eligible countries in terms of creditworthiness, structure and development of demand and analyses the competitive position as well as export structure of Austrian exports in these countries. Econometric analysis and the WIFO input-output model quantify soft-loan induced impacts on exports, employment and value added. Interviews with firms summarise experiences with respect to Austrian soft loan placements in the Balkans and highlight future strategies with respect to commercial follow-up business and untied aid credits.