The U.S. Trade and Development Agency TDA is a small, independent federal agency that assists U.S. companies in capitalizing on overseas business opportunities and responding to foreign competition. TDA funds feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized trainings, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance to enable American businesses to compete for infrastructure and industrial projects in middle-income and developing countries.
In fiscal year 2000, TDA obligated $51.7 million for U.S firms in more than 63 countries in the following regions: Africa/Middle East; Asia/Pacific; Central and Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and the Newly Independent States.
TDA works closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce, The Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and other export promotion agencies to advance American business interests abroad.
TDA activities in Lebanon 1997 - 2001
-- Beirut Suburban Mass Transit Corridor (FS) $625,000: Feasibility study to the Lebanese Ministry of Transportation to develop public-private financing options and instruments to serve the passenger demand of suburban commuters into Beirut. (Frederic R. Harris) (FY 1999)
-- Beirut Emerging Technology Industrial and Research Center (FS) $226,160: Feasibility Study grant to the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon for the construction of an industrial park which will manufacture advanced communications products for the Middle Eastern market. (Graeber, Simons & Cowan) (FY 1999/2000)
-- Normandy Landfill Reclamation (TG) $220,000: TDA provided a training grant to Solidere in support of Radian International's bid for an engineering services and equipment supply contract for the Normandy Landfill Reclamation project in Beirut. Carnegie-Mellon University's Brownfields Reclamation Center will do the training. (FY 1999)
-- National GIS Center and System (FS) $129,560: Grant to the Council for Development and Reconstruction for a Feasibility Study to assess a Geographic Information System project. (Geographic Planning Collaborative, Inc.) (FY 1998)
-- National LNG Pipeline Supply (FS) $500,000: Feasibility Study grant to the Ministry of Hydraulic and Electric Resources to examine the supply and storage options for the proposed national pipeline. (M.W. Kellogg Company) (FY 1998)
-- Billing and Collection Modernization (FS) $340,000: Feasibility Study grant to the Ministry of Hydraulic and Electric Resources for the proposed modernization of the billing and collection system of Electricite du Liban, the country's electrical utility. (Alpha-Gamma Technologies, Inc.) (FY 1998)
-- Quleaat and Riyak Airports Technical Assistance (FS) $154,300: Technical Assistance for the tenders and the evaluation of bids for the Quleaat and Rayak airports conversion and modernization projects. (Parsons Brinckerhoff International) (FY 1997)
-- IFC Middle East Airlines Privatization (Desk Study) $ 2,500. (Emercon LLC) (FY 2000)
To learn more about USTDA activities, go to http://www.tda.gov