Washington, D.C. - (January 29, 2001) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) announced it will reopen its grant assistance program in China. A recent national interest waiver lifted the 1989 sanction that suspended the agency's operations in China.

"TDA intends to operate its program in China just as it operates all around the world - as a market-driven, export assistance entity," said TDA Deputy Director Barbara Bradford. "Based on our success in previous years, we anticipate a healthy program that will serve to promote the export of excellent engineering services and technical solutions while simultaneously assisting the Chinese with much-needed infrastructure development."

With its narrow mission, TDA provides grant funding for studies to determine the technical, economic and financial feasibility of major infrastructure and industrial projects in developing and middle income countries. TDA-funded feasibility studies are conducted by U.S. companies and are designed to get the U.S. private sector in on the ground floor of projects that may generate significant U.S. exports. Prior to 1989, TDA had a very successful program in China with $24 million in grants facilitating $1.4 billion in exports.

TDA Regional Director for Asia Geoff Jackson will kick off the program with a business development trip to Beijing and Shanghai in February. While there, he will meet with potential Chinese project sponsors as well as members of the U.S. private sector currently pursuing projects in the country. In late February and early March, TDA will organize a domestic outreach session to gain insight from U.S. companies on potential sectors for TDA involvement.

TDA will focus on projects involving the environment (air and water pollution), energy development, and aviation safety and navigation, as these sectors are top priorities for China and could generate significant U.S. exports. TDA will also give priority to contract opportunities supported by Asian Development Bank and World Bank loans.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is an independent federal agency that assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA provides American firms with market entry, exposure and information through the funding of feasibility studies, technical assistance, reverse trade missions and conferences. These efforts help American businesses establish a position in newly emerging economies.

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