FES, MOROCCO - (December 7, 2001) Today, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Thelma J. Askey and Mr. Filali Baba, Mayor of the City of Fes, signed a grant for $100,000 to fund training in conjunction with the construction and operation of the Fes Controlled Landfill. U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Margaret Tutwiler and the Wali of Fes Loucine Tijani witnessed the signing.

The training grant is awarded to the Communaute Urbaine de la Wilaya de Fes (CUWF), which has selected the American consortium of Edgeboro International, Inc. and Sadat International, both firms located in New Jersey. In FY1997, USTDA awarded a sole-source feasibility study grant with a cost share and success fee agreement to Edgeboro/Sadat to conduct a solid waste management system for CUWF. Based on the positive feasibility study results, CUWF has embarked on a plan for the construction and operation of the facility. It is scheduled to operate on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis for 20 years and will handle between 1000-1,800 ton/day of waste flows during the duration of the contract. The project is the first controlled landfill in Morocco.

"2001 Country of the Year recipient Morocco continues to play a vital role in our success here at USTDA," stated Director Askey. "This training grant will assist CUWF in constructing a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit Morocco and its citizens. I hope this project will serve as a model for how similar issues are addressed elsewhere in Morocco and in the region."

Director Askey is making her first visit to Morocco and the Middle East from December 4 - 10, and is meeting with senior officials of the government of Morocco and the private sector. This year, Morocco received 18 grants from USTDA totaling over $2.5 million, and was a worldwide leader in the number, effectiveness, and diversity of projects in five key sectors: environment (especially water supply, and wastewater treatment), transportation, oil and gas, electric power, and information technology.

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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