ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (November 6, 2003) - On Tuesday, November 18, 2003 and Thursday, November 20, 2003, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will sponsor one-day conferences in California for small and medium-sized businesses interested in exploring opportunities to increase their exports of goods and services to overseas markets.  The programs for both events will focus on how to do business with USTDA and will showcase the types of assistance available through the Federal Government to help U.S. businesses compete successfully in the international arena.

“USTDA has a strong track record of support for U.S. firms seeking to expand into overseas markets,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey in announcing the seminars.  “One of my personal commitments is to continue to better our service to U.S. businesses in securing commercial opportunities overseas.  I look forward to these conferences as a way to build on the strength of this partnership.”

The Honorable April H. Foley, Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, is confirmed as the opening speaker for the conference on November 18^th.  Both events will include detailed, practical information about how small and medium-sized firms can avail themselves of the overseas business opportunities supported by the USTDA program.  Time will be set aside for one-on-one meetings with USTDA program staff to discuss the most successful means for U.S. firms to compete for contracts to perform USTDA-funded studies and activities.

The conferences will include presentations by representatives of various U.S. Government trade promotion agencies that focus on the most effective way for small and medium-sized firms to work with them.  Organizations invited to participate in the conference include the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.  

The conference on November 18^th will take place at Oracle Corporation World Headquarters, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, California 94065.  Registration for this event can be made on-line at www.tda-partnership-seminar-sfo.com.

The seminar on November 20^th will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.  To register on-line, visit www.tda-partnership-seminar-lax.com.

The conferences programs will run form 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day.  For more information, contact Olympia Brescia at (781) 641-2900.

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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