Ex-Im Bank made the creation of the Panel a condition for the Bank’s approval of financial support for the Peru LNG Project. In early 2008 the Bank approved a $458.6 million long-term loan guarantee to support U.S. exports for this project, which became operational in mid 2010. The recent development of south-central Peru is driven largely by new energy projects, including Peru LNG.

Ex-Im Bank, an independent, self-sustaining federal government agency, exists to fill gaps in export financing, to strengthen U.S. export competitiveness and to help create and maintain U.S. jobs. The Bank provides a variety financing mechanisms including working capital loan guarantees to help small and medium-sized U.S. businesses, export credit insurance to protect against nonpayment by foreign buyers, and loan guarantees and direct loans to assist foreign buyers of U.S. goods and services.

Members of the advisory panel, selected by Ex-Im Bank in 2009, are recognized, eminent experts in various aspects of environmental and social sciences. The Panel members serve Ad-honorem. The panel is engaging Cayetano Heredia University in Lima to serve as its Secretariat to coordinate activities and provide web site, e-mail and logistical services.