Export Development Canada (EDC) has appointed a new representative in Mexico City to help Canadian exporters and investors with the trade finance and risk management services they need to close deals.

Douglas Fortney is the new regional manager, Mexico and Central America, replacing Marvin Hough, who after representing EDC in Mexico City for nearly four years, is returning to Ottawa as regional vice-president, Americas. EDC first established permanent representation in Mexico in April 2000, and since then, its business volume in that country – the sales and investments underwritten or financed – has doubled to an anticipated US$2.4bn in 2003.

Fortney joins Noe Elizondo, who has been EDC’s representative in Monterrey, Mexico since 2002.

Before rejoining EDC, Fortney was with Nortel Networks in France and the US where he managed customer finance activities for European and Latin American clients. He was also vice-president of customer financing with Marconi Finance plc in London, where he oversaw customer financing activities in Europe and Asia.

His previous tenure with EDC focused on trade and project financing in Latin America, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. His international experience also includes a three-year interchange assignment with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as a senior trade commissioner in Brazil.

In addition to Mexico City and Monterrey, EDC also has representatives in Brazil, Poland and China and expects to add representatives in Brazil and South East Asia this year.