Small U.S. firm exports computers to Sudan

Small U.S. firm exports computers to Sudan    The White House issued an order Tuesday to the U.S. Export-Import Bank to provide financing to a small New Gloucester, Maine-based company to export computers to Sudan for use in the East African country's upcoming election.
   Planson International Corp. will export computers and software to Sudan, backed by a $1.5 million revolving working capital loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank. The equipment will be used for voter registration, demographic data analysis, vote tallying and post-referendum policy development.
   The export will also help the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) facilitate a Jan. 9, 2011 referendum on southern Sudan self-determination, pursuant to a 2005 peace accord between northern and southern Sudan.
   In a presidential memorandum citing “the national security interest of the United States,” President Obama waived a section of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act that bans U.S. export assistance, credit and guarantees for commercial exports to Sudan, thus allowing the export of U.S. computers and related equipment in fulfillment of this contract.
   The guaranteed lender for this transaction is Bank of America.