BRATISLAVA -(July 12, 2002) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) announces plans to award a $149,040 grant to Encon s.r.o. in a grant signing ceremony on Monday, July 15, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava. The U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, Ronald Weiser, will sign the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government, and Mr. Tibor Mikus, General Manager, will sign on behalf of Encon.

The TDA grant will partially fund a feasibility study on a project to treat low-level radioactive waste from nuclear plants in Slovakia. The proposed radioactive waste treatment center will use Plasma Enhanced Melter (PEM) systems to process radioactive waste. This technology uses electrical heating in a highly reduced oxygen environment, which eliminates ash and greatly reduces other emissions. Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC of Richland, Washington, the producer of the PEM, will perform the feasibility study and will contribute $223,560 toward its completion.

Encon's project is a high developmental priority for Slovakia as it helps the country to meet its pressing problem of treating and containing radioactive waste. By providing this grant, TDA is demonstrating the U.S. Government's commitment to helping Slovakia promote a clean environment in an effective and efficient manner.

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. Since 1991, TDA has invested over $4 million in a wide variety of activities in the Slovak Republic intended to assist in the economic development of the country.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Hviezdos lavovo nam. 4 in Bratislava. For more information on media coverage at this event, please contact the Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava at +421.2.5920.5318.

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