FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2002

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For further information, contact:
Lawrence Spinelli (202) 336-8690
Timothy Harwood (202) 336-8744

MEDIA ADVISORY 

INCREASED U.S. TRADE & INVESTMENT IN ANDES GOAL OF OCTOBER CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Increasing U.S. trade and investment in the emerging markets of the Andes is the goal of an upcoming conference in Peru that will marshal the resources of all trade-related U.S. government agencies. The event will be co-hosted by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

The Andean Regional Trade and Investment Conference will draw dozens of businesses from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the U.S. to discuss opportunities in the infrastructure, technology, tourism and renewable energy and environmental sectors, followed by practical matchmaking sessions designed to get projects underway. Staff from the three agencies, and from the departments of State and Commerce, will be on hand to facilitate networking.

WHAT:   Andean Regional Trade and Investment Conference
                          Co-hosted by OPIC, Ex-Im Bank
                          and the U.S. Trade & Development Agency

WHEN:   October 3-4, 2002 

WHERE:  Miraflores Park Hotel
               Lima, Peru

REGISTRATION:   www.opic.gov/andean/
                            andeanregionalconference@opic.gov                                   
                            or 202/336-8490

OPIC was established as an independent agency of the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.

OPIC’s political risk insurance and financing help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest in 140 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. Over the agency’s 30-year history, OPIC has supported $142 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries to generate over $11 billion in host-government revenues and create over 673,000 host-country jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $64 billion in U.S. exports and create more than 253,000 American jobs.