UK Export Finance

UKEF Secures £128M Submarine Rescue Deals With Indonesia

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has announced two loan guarantees totalling £128 million to support the export of submarine rescue vehicle systems (SRVS) to the Indonesian Navy. Over £67 million in supply contracts have been awarded to UK firms Submarine Manufacturing and Products Ltd (SMP Ltd) of Bristol and Forum Energy Technologies Ltd (FET) of York, with financing arranged through JP Morgan Chase (Singapore Branch, £76 million) and Banco Santander (£52 million). The deals represent UKEF's first entry into submarine rescue contracts of this kind and are intended to enhance Indonesia's submarine safety capability following the 2021 KRI Nanggala tragedy.

Vivobarefoot Achieves 85% Sales Growth With £16M UKEF-Backed Loans

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has published a case study featuring sustainable footwear company Vivobarefoot, which achieved 85% sales growth over four years (from £49m to £91m) after accessing over £16 million in government-backed loans through HSBC UK. The financing, structured via UKEF's General Export Facility (GEF), enabled the company to capitalise on growing international demand across five continents while supporting over 120 jobs in Bristol and London. The announcement follows UKEF's landmark £11 billion SME lending commitment with five leading UK banks.

British Steel Wins £70M Export Order in Nigeria Ports Deal

UK Export Finance has guaranteed £746 million ($902m) to fund the redevelopment of Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and TinCan Island Port Complex in Nigeria. British Steel has secured a record-breaking £70 million ($95m) contract to supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets to Hitech Nigeria and ITB Nigeria, representing the largest export order in British Steel's history backed by UKEF. At least £236 million of supplier contracts from the overall deal will flow to British companies, and the UK and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for future trade and investment collaboration.

UK Regional Export Finance Manager Contacts Updated April 2026

UK Export Finance has published updated contact information for its regional Export Finance Managers as of 1 April 2026. The guidance lists regional heads and managers by geographic area, including Northern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Midlands, Wales, South West, and London and South East. Businesses seeking export finance support can contact their local manager directly or email customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk.

Country Risk and Cover Policy and Indicators

UK Export Finance published updated country cover policy and risk appetite guidance providing country-specific market risk appetite classifications and cover availability for cash/short-term and medium/long-term export finance support. Countries such as Afghanistan receive no cover while others like Albania receive full cover availability with at least £5 billion market risk appetite. The guidance is informational only and does not constitute a commitment to provide cover for any specific contract.