BEIJING (April 7, 2004) – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $299,293 grant to the Shanghai Water Authority to partially fund a feasibility study related to the modernization and improvement of its wastewater treatment facilities.  The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.  USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government.  Ms. Ma Xiuhong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, signed the agreement on behalf of the Grantee. 

In December 2002, the China State Environmental Protection Administration issued new national standards for water pollutant discharges from wastewater treatment plants.  These standards require Shanghai’s municipal government to upgrade all of its water treatment facilities by January 1, 2006.  The Shanghai Water Authority is the administrative body responsible for planning and implementing these upgrades in Shanghai’s 34 wastewater treatment plants.

The USTDA-funded feasibility study will include a technical evaluation of the Qiyang and Songjiang treatment plants, preliminary process engineering, a detailed analysis of the economics of the two facilities, and options for financing proposed improvements.  The study will also provide the Shanghai Water Authority with an assessment of the financial and economic options for upgrading its 32 additional wastewater treatment facilities.  BioChem Technologies, Inc., based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, will perform the study and contribute additional resources towards its completion. 

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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