TASHKENT -(July 12, 2002) At a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) committed almost $3.5 million for nine projects in Uzbekistan. The grants are a major step in implementing last year's cooperation agreement between TDA and the Government of Uzbekistan.

U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan John Herbst, on behalf of TDA, signed the nine grants. Representatives of the respective Uzbek organizations, including the National Bank of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Uzbekenergo, Uzbekistan Temir Yullari (Uzbek Railways), Uzbekyosanoat, the Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan, and the Tashkent University of Information Technologies signed on the Uzbek side. The grants cover projects in the rail, information technology, fertilizer, power, and water resources sectors, as well as assistance in small and medium enterprise development and will be used to contract with U.S. firms to perform feasibility studies and provide technical assistance.

"Today's signing ceremony is a strong indication of our desire to improve trade relations between our countries and to assist Uzbekistan in planning major infrastructure projects that will contribute to that country's economic growth," noted TDA Director Thelma J. Askey. "Uzbekistan is a strong ally in the fight against terrorism, and our goal is to broaden our bilateral relationship in the economic sphere as well."

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation in developing and middle-income countries, with special emphasis on economic sectors that represent significant U.S. export potential. By funding various forms of technical assistance, training grants, feasibility studies, orientation visits, and business workshops, 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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