TDA to Host Earthquake Reconstruction Symposium in Turkey

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC (29 November 1999) As announced during President Clinton's successful November visit to Turkey, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) will host an Earthquake Reconstruction Symposium in Istanbul and Ankara on December 1st and 6th. Designed to begin a dialogue between the United States and Turkey on natural disaster preparedness, response and recovery, the event will feature public and private sector participants from both countries.

"The United States shares Turkey's sorrow for the enormous loss of life and property that resulted from the country's recent devastating earthquakes," said TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison. "The Trade and Development Agency is pleased to sponsor this symposium, which will foster a cooperative partnership to cope with natural disaster."

Turkish national and local government officials, university leadership, professional associations, design consultants and financial managers will join with U.S. public and private sector participants to discuss topics that include the municipal role in earthquake preparedness, evaluation of critical infrastructure readiness, regional approaches to preparedness and building public confidence. Panelists for these forums will be comprised of representatives from the American engineering community, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.

The Istanbul portion of the symposium will take place on December 1st at the Conrad International Hotel and the Ankara portion will take place on December 6th at the Sheraton Ankara. One-on-one meetings between U.S. and Turkish participants and site visits of earthquake devastation will take place from December 2nd-5th. For registration information, please contact Ms. Hulya Eksert, Program Support Manager, 90-312-440-7854, or e-mail kentsu@prizma.net.tr.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, an agency of the U.S. Government, helps form mutually beneficial relationships between U.S. private sector companies and overseas project sponsors. In 1999, TDA has provided assistance in 67 nations around the world.

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