WASHINGTON, D.C. - (September 12, 2002) Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a $468,000 grant agreement to fund a feasibility study on the construction of a pipeline from the gas fields in Central Kazakhstan to the Southern region of the country. The grant is part of the 2003 program of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Energy Partnership.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, TDA Director Thelma J. Askey, and Kazakstan's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Vladimir Shkolnik participated in the signing ceremony that was held following a full day of meetings at the U.S. Department of Energy. Potential U.S. exports resulting from the pipeline project are estimated at $90 million for equipment and services.

During the ceremony, Secretary Abraham and Minister Shkolnik also signed an Agreement on the Program of Work for the upcoming year for the Energy Partnership. The Partnership, formed on December 21, 2001, has met twice to discuss cooperation on energy issues.

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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