BEIJING (April 6, 2004) – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) expressing USTDA’s intention to support priority healthcare initiatives in the People’s Republic of China.  USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey signed the LOI on behalf of the U.S. Government during a ceremony that was held at the Chinese Ministry of Health.  Vice Minister Huang Jiefu of the Ministry of Health signed the LOI on behalf of the Chinese government.  Also representing the United States was Congressman Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi, a member of the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and a leader on health issues on Capitol Hill.

The LOI states the interest of USTDA in investigating potential project preparation activities to promote emergency medical services, infectious disease control, and hospital accreditation and development in China.  In addition, the LOI expresses USTDA’s intention to support the objectives of the U.S.-China Healthcare Forum.  This Forum between the U.S. and Chinese Governments is being developed to enhance cooperation in the areas of healthcare policy; to improve China’s ability to provide effective, sustainable, high quality healthcare services to its people; and to support U.S. commercial interest in accessing the Chinese market.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services .

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