Treasury’s Export Credit Office head elected new Chair of Prague Club
Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf has congratulated New Zealand Export Credit Office (NZECO) manager Chris Chapman on
his election as the new Chair of the Berne Union Prague Club.
The Prague Club is an information exchange network for new and smaller Government-owned, export credit and political
risks insurers. It was created by the Berne Union (www.berneunion.org) over 22 years ago. New Zealand is among 38 member countries from across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East
and Africa, Central and Southeast Asia. Members elect a new Chair every two years.
“The NZECO is an important and highly-regarded part of the Treasury. Chris Chapman’s election as Chair of the Prague
Club is deserved recognition of his leadership and a great reflection of the NZECO’s work helping New Zealand
exporters,” says Mr Makhlouf.
“His appointment will raise NZECO’s profile amongst all of the world’s export credit and private insurers, and provide
increased opportunities to bilaterally partner with these agencies in support of New Zealand exporters who are jointly
participating with other foreign firms on international projects.”
As Chair, Mr Chapman’s role includes overseeing the organization and chairing of bi-annual meetings, as well as
representing the members’ interests and experiences in other international forums. The Prague Club Chair is also a
member of the Management Committee of the Berne Union.
During 2014 the members of the Berne Union and Prague Club collectively underwrote US$2 trillion, or 10 percent, of
global trade.
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