For Immediate Release: May 29, 2008
Contact: Matt Englehart   (202) 482-3809

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO LEAD CLEAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT TRADE MISSION TO CHINA AND INDIA

Washington – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will sponsor a Clean Energy and Environment Trade Mission to China and India from September 1-12, 2008.  This mission, led by Assistant Secretary David Bohigian, aims to match participating U.S. companies with opportunities in these fast-growing markets, where American clean energy and environmental goods and services can help address energy security and climate change, improving the environment.

“As Chinese and Indian economies expand, the need for clean, sustainable energy grows,” said Bohigian. “U.S. businesses produce the world’s most innovative clean-energy technology, which can help ensure a reliable and secure source of renewable energy in these countries, as well as create jobs and economic opportunity here at home.”

The mission aims to assist clean energy and environmental technology and help service providers begin new or increase existing sales in China and India.  Targeted sectors include renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal, distributed generation, air pollution abatement, water, waste, and monitoring equipment.  Participants will meet one-on-one with potential partners, agents, distributors, licensees, and retailers in each country, as well as participate in discussions with national and local government officials, networking opportunities, country briefings, and site visits.

The mission takes place in the context of the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), a public-private partnership including seven partner countries, representing more than half of the world’s economy, population and energy consumption:  Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States.  APP member countries work together to break down policy barriers and facilitate commercial deployment of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. 

BACKGROUND:

China, the world’s fastest growing major market‚ invested more than $12 billion in 2007 in clean energy technologies, including clean coal technologies, wind power, solar power, biomass, and energy efficient power generation.  Over the next five years, China also plans to invest $175 billion in environmental technologies, including water purification, air pollution control, and emissions testing.

India, one of the world’s fastest growing democracies, presents lucrative opportunities for U.S. companies, due to a critical need for investments in clean technology.  The market in India for environmental technology is estimated to exceed $600 million, and is growing at an annual rate of 25 percent.

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