Washington, D.C. - (July 13, 2001) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) provided a $400,000 grant to the State of Bahia Rural Engineering Company (Companhia de Engenharia Rural da Bahia--CERB) to provide technical assistance as it carries out a project to install alternative energy-powered potable water supply systems in 3,000 small communities lacking adequate water systems that are not connected to the state energy grid.

The grant was signed by Eduardo José de Santana, President of CERB, and Judith Henderson, Commercial Consul at the U.S. Consulate General of Rio de Janeiro, on behalf of TDA. The ceremony was held yesterday in the capital city of Salvador. The Vice Governor of the State of Bahia, Otto Roberto M. de Alencar, and the State Secretary of Infrastructure Roberto Moussallem de Andrade were also present at the signing.

TDA-funded technical assistance will assist CERB and the Bahia State Secretariat of Infrastructure with developing an effective, sustainable program to install alternative water supply systems in rural communities. The TDA grant will allow for procurement of alternative energy generation, water pumping and desalinization equipment from U.S. suppliers through a competitive bid process. It will also provide necessary funds for a project manager who will work with CERB to oversee installation of integrated systems in up to 20 communities as well as training to local water managers. This assistance will test the technical, operational and financial effectiveness of renewable energy powered small-scale potable water supply systems and develop a program that can be replicated throughout the state. A technical symposium will disseminate the results of the pilot project to water supply managers from other communities in the State of Bahia and from other states in Northeastern Brazil.

In addition to benefiting rural communities in the State of Bahia, the eventual installation of these state-of-the-art systems is expected to generate sales opportunities, estimated at about $36 million for U.S. systems integrators and exporters of equipment such as photovoltaic panels, pumps, and desalinization systems.

TDA is an independent federal agency that assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. 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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