M.Com. (Economic Management) / South Africa, as a developing country, has an enormous need for capital. Between 1980 to 1983, an amount of RBO billion was spent on fixed capital investment alone in this country. A large component of this investment originates from external sources and was financed by way of off-shore loans and other credit facilities. The developed countries, in order to promote their exports, have long realised that in addition to offering a competitive price and high quality product, competition also required that credit be made available to the importer. Presently the competition between the leading export countries result in the development of subsidised export credit schemes to promote the sale of industrial machinery and equipment. In cases where the fixed export finance rate is lower than market rates, Governments make up the difference between the export finance rate and commercial lending rates. Normally a fixed interest rate for the credit period is available in the exporter's currency. An important consideration when borrowing overseas, is the foreign currency exposure. With continuous fluctuations in the value of currencies the borrower is faced with a foreign exchange risk. This risk can be partially eliminated by hedging on the forward exchange market. In this study an analysis was made of the most important export credit schemes as well as the possible influence of forward exchange considerations. An importer has the option to also make use imported capital goods. Specific reference installment sale financing and financial leasing of local finance to pay for is made in this study to as methods of local financing. The purpose of this study was twofold: Firstly, an analysis of historic interest rate patterns pertaining to medium-term leasing and installment sale financing in South Africa and secondly a determination of the cost of export credit finance for the .same period was made. In this . way the study endeavored to determine whether, from the point of view of the cost of capital, it had been worthwhile to U8e export credit financing.