MOSCOW - (November 13, 2002) Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $316,686 grant to the Center for Electronic Commerce in Moscow for a pilot project to establish an Internet portal for Russian federal government procurement. An agreement conferring the grant was signed by Rachael Turner, USTDA's Country Manager for Russia, on behalf of the U.S. Government, and Vadim Ivanov, the General Director of the Center for Electronic Commerce, in a signing ceremony at the U.S. Commercial Service's offices in Moscow. Representatives of the U.S. firm that the Russian government will use to implement the project, Communications is World Interactive Networking (C-Win) of Chamblee, Georgia, were present at the signing ceremony, as was Geoffrey Cleasby, Commercial Officer at the U.S. Commercial Service in Moscow.

The Russian government has identified e-business development as one of its top priorities. The pilot project supported by the USTDA grant will increase transparency in the bidding process for federal procurement in Russia. It is expected that project implementation will enable more bidders, including U.S. firms, to participate in the process and will increase competition. The expect result is a more efficient and cost-effective procurement system for the Russian government.

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 and specialized studies, conferences, orientation visits, and business workshops, USTDA 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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