BEIJING, CHINA - (April 23, 2002) Earlier today the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed four grants in the People's Republic of China. TDA Chief of Staff Carl Kress signed the grants, totaling over US$2.4 million. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr., Minister Shi Guangsheng of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), and Mr. Wang Chao, Director General of MOFTEC's Department of American and Oceanian Affairs witnessed the signings. TDA's Country Manager for China, Mark Dunn, was also present at the ceremony.

The four feasibility study grants were signed following the conclusion of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meetings between the U.S. Department of Commerce and MOFTEC in Beijing.

The first grant provides $859,796 for a Communications, Surveillance, Navigation/Air Traffic Management master plan of the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China. The study will generate a plan for the modernization and expansion of air traffic services within China's flight information regions. It will enable the implementation of satellite-based and ground-based systems as the infrastructure for air traffic services.

The second grant, awarded to the Shanghai Municipal Government, is for technical assistance associated with municipal solid waste management in the amount of $858,000. Shanghai has applied for a loan from the World Bank to implement the Shanghai Urban Environmental Project. TDA's technical assistance will help with the necessary preparations needed to receive the estimated $250 million in World Bank funding.

The third grant is for a $429,000 feasibility study to assist Sinopec International Company, Limited, a subsidiary of China's leading petroleum and petrochemical company, in establishing an e-trade platform. The study will show Sinopec International how to manage and finance e-procurement investments, as well as how to prepare management for the organizational requirements demanded by the new system's implementation.

The fourth and final grant provides $315,300 to Beijing Jike Energy New Technology Development Company to establish four geothermal heat pump (GHP) projects throughout northern China. The feasibility study grant will plan for, design, install, operate, and maintain the GHP units and evaluate the technology's capability to heat buildings.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation by helping U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world.

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