TDA PARTICIPATES IN EXPLORATORY MISSION TO AFGHANISTAN

For Immediate Release

KABUL - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation conducted an exploratory mission to Afghanistan earlier this week to identify opportunities for cooperation with various Afghan Ministries and organizations. Projects being explored would assist in reconstruction of the area in the sectors of telecommunications, aviation, power, hotels, and oil and gas. The mission is part of the Bush Administration's on-going commitment to provide assistance in this war-torn region. Mr. Carl Kress, TDA Chief of Staff, and Mr. Ross Connelly, OPIC Executive Vice President, represented the U.S. government and met with various members of Afghan ministries and other high-level officials. Their visit included meetings with Afghan Communications Minister Ing. Abdul Rahaim Saidian, Reconstruction Minister Amin Farhang, and Air Transport & Tourism Minister Zalmay Rasul, with whom they visited along with U.S. Ambassador Robert Finn.

Recently, TDA funded $10,000 to provide a short-term advisor to the Ministry of Communications to assist in telecommunications policy work. The contractor assisted in redrafting the Afghanistan Telecommunications policy, which was presented to the Afghanistan Interim Administration Cabinet of Ministers in April. Another TDA grant of $100,000 will provide further assistance in evaluation of proposals for telecommunications sector projects and coordination of donor assistance in this sector. TDA also provided $38,000 for a consultant to assess hotel opportunities in Kabul. The assessment is being used to attract U.S. investors, hotel companies, construction, and management companies for hotel development.

TDA is currently working with the World Bank, Afghan authorities, and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to fund technical assistance, training, and/or feasibility studies in the civil aviation, oil and gas, and energy sectors. Possible activities include: Afghan participation in a Central Asia aviation safety training center; FAA training for Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation representatives; a gas sector feasibility study; capacity-building in the Ministry of Power; and an orientation visit to bring Afghan planners to the United States.

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.