WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 14, 2001 - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) is hosting a delegation of government and port officials from West African nations who are interested in procuring goods, services, and financing for seaport modernization and new building projects. The delegation will meet with U.S. seaport regulatory authorities and private businesses October 21 - 31, 2001, while making stops in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, Norfolk, VA, Miami, FL, and the greater New York City area. A formal Business Briefing is scheduled for October 30 in Miami, where interested U.S. companies will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with members of the delegation.

In response to world competition and privatization trends, North African and West African port officials are turning to the cutting edge expertise of U.S. port organizations and businesses to assist them. This includes looking at how technology is applied to logistical operations at the region's freight distribution network, and at the interfaces and linkages to other modes of transportation. With the financial assistance of the International Monetary Fund, many of these projects are currently underway at the ports of Douala, Cameroon, and Casablanca, Morocco as well as additional ports in Tunisia and Algeria.

For further details about the Orientation Visit and Business Briefing, please visit the website http://www.decisionevent.com. If your company is interested in meeting the delegation or becoming a sponsor, you may contact Bernard Markowicz, Managing Director of Decision/Analysis Partners at (703) 255-1101 or by email at markowicz@decisionanalysis.net.

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, we help 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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