Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced the appointment of Mr Ewen Waterman as Managing Director of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC).

EFIC is the Australian Government's export credit agency and plays an important role supporting Australian exporters through the provision of export finance and credit insurance.

"EFIC is about to enter an important period in its development by establishing an alliance with a private sector insurer for its short-term credit insurance business.  This is an exciting development for Australian exporters, and Mr Waterman has the right blend of skills and experience to manage this important change," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Waterman is currently a Director of Access Economics.  He has worked in both the public and private sectors in Australia and has considerable international experience.  Mr Waterman has extensive financial market and revenue management experience and has worked as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and as Australia's Executive Director to the International Monetary Fund.  Mr Waterman will take up the position in October.

Mr Vaile paid tribute to the contribution of the outgoing Managing Director of EFIC, Mr Graeme Lawless, who has held the position for some ten years.

"EFIC has become an integral part of the Government's support for Australia's export efforts over the past decade.  The alliance EFIC is about to enter into with a private insurer will be an important step in ensuring Australian exporters are able to access internationally competitive export credit services into the future," Mr Vaile said. 

"We are delighted to have Mr Waterman join EFIC at this important time."