Special Feature Archive

Regional | East Asia | Europe and Eurasia | Latin America and the Caribbean | MENA | South and Southeast Asia | Sub-Saharan Africa

Regional

Larry W. Walther Sworn in as USTDA Director LARRY W. WALTHER SWORN IN AS USTDA DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2008) – Larry W. Walther was sworn in today as the Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The assumption of his duties follows his confirmation by the United States Senate on March 14, 2008 and official appointment by President George W. Bush. | Full Story

USTDA Releases 2007 Annual Report Naming Colombia as Country of the Year USTDA RELEASES 2007 ANNUAL REPORT NAMING COLOMBIA AS COUNTRY OF THE YEAR
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 2, 2008) – Today, Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak announced the release of USTDA's fiscal year 2007 Annual Report, detailing the agency's developmental and commercial achievements. Reflecting the success of the agency's program in advancing mutual economic benefits and U.S. policy priorities, the Report also names Colombia as USTDA's Country of the Year. | Full Story

Acting Director Zak Announces Regional Realignment ACTING DIRECTOR ZAK ANNOUNCES REGIONAL REALIGNMENT
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (October 01, 2007) – Today, USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak announced the realignment of the agency's regional structure. Effective immediately, USTDA program activity will be organized in six regions: East Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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East Asia

USTDA Reaffirms Commitment to Bilateral Cooperation in the Development of China's Aviation Sector USTDA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO BILATERAL COOPERATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA’S AVIATION SECTOR
BEIJING, CHINA (June 25, 2008) – Today, USTDA continued its support of the ongoing U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) by committing an additional $1 million to support the fourth phase of the successful partnership between USTDA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. industry and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
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USTDA Awards Aviation Training Grant at U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade Meeting USTDA AWARDS AVIATION TRAINING GRANT AT U.S.-CHINA JOINT COMMISSION ON COMMERCE AND TRADE MEETING
BEIJING, CHINA (December 10, 2007) – Today, USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited to provide management, leadership and airline marketing training in support of China Eastern's procurement of the General Electric Company’s (GE) GEnx aircraft engines. The program will be provided by GE and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Dallas, Texas.
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Europe and Eurasia

USTDA Awards $1.7 Million Grant for Study of Trans-Caspian Oil and Gas Pipelines USTDA AWARDS $1.7 MILLION GRANT FOR STUDY OF TRANS-CASPIAN OIL AND GAS PIPELINES
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (August 16, 2007) – Continuing the U.S. Government's commitment to improve world energy security, assist in the development of new energy transportation corridors, and promote growth in Azerbaijan and the entire Caspian region, USTDA awarded a $1.7 million grant today to the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).
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USTDA Reaffirms Its Commitment to Georgia's Development USTDA REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO GEORGIA'S DEVELOPMENT
TBILISI, GEORGIA (August 27, 2008) – Reflecting the strength of the agency's partnership with Georgian project sponsors in promoting the country's development, USTDA Director Larry W. Walther today awarded a grant to the Georgian International Energy Corporation (GIEC), a private natural gas and electric power company.
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Latin America and the Caribbean

USTDA Director Walther Appointed to Presidential Delegation Attending Palestine Investment Conference USTDA AWARDS GRANTS TOTALING $1.1 MILLION TO COMPLEMENT MCC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN EL SALVADOR
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (April 30, 2008) – Establishing the necessary infrastructure and capacity for private sector trade and investment to serve as a catalyst for growth in El Salvador's Northern Zone is the goal of two USTDA grants awarded today.
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Colombian President Uribe Accepts USTDA Country of the Year Award COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT URIBE ACCEPTS USTDA COUNTRY OF THE YEAR AWARD
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA (March 5, 2008) – Reflecting the success of the agency's program in advancing mutual economic benefits and U.S. policy priorities, USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak today presented the agency's 2007 Country of the Year award to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez.
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Acting Director Zak and Mexican Secretary Tellez Open USTDA Conference on Building Partnerships in Infrastructure ACTING DIRECTOR ZAK AND MEXICAN SECRETARY TÉLLEZ OPEN USTDA CONFERENCE ON BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN INFRASTRUCTURE
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (Februrary 27, 2008) – Promoting the development of transportation, energy and environmental projects under Mexico’s National Infrastructure Program is the focus of a USTDA-sponsored conference that opened today at the Marquis Reforma Hotel in Mexico City.
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Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

USTDA Supports Wireless Connectivity in the West Bank USTDA SUPPORTS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY IN THE WEST BANK
BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (May 22, 2008) – Promoting the expansion of wireless Internet connectivity in the West Bank is the goal underlying a $480,625 grant USTDA Director Larry W. Walther signed today at the Palestinian Investment Conference in Bethlehem. USTDA awarded this grant to BCI Communications & Advanced Technologies Ltd.
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USTDA Project Forum Promotes ICT Sector Development in the Middle East and North Africa USTDA PROJECT FORUM PROMOTES ICT SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
MUSCAT, OMAN (May 15, 2006) – Expanding information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa is the objective of a project forum sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The event, which is taking place through May 16, 2006, in Muscat, Oman, attracted more than 180 public and private sector participants from the Middle East, North Africa and the United States. The Forum is being held in cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy of the Sultanate of Oman.
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South and Southeast Asia

USTDA Grants Support Clean Water Initiatives in the Philippines USTDA GRANTS SUPPORT CLEAN WATER INITIATIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (July 25, 2008) – Providing technological solutions to address water treatment and water loss reduction challenges in the Philippines is the subject of two USTDA grants awarded today in a ceremony at the American Embassy in Manila.
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USTDA Furthers Its Commitment to the Development of Vietnam's Aviation Sector USTDA FURTHERS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM’S AVIATION SECTOR
HANOI, VIETNAM (July 22, 2008) – Enhancing aviation safety and assisting Vietnam in meeting international aviation regulations is the subject of a USTDA grant awarded today to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV).
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USTDA Reaffirms Commitment to Vietnam's Economic Development During Official Visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Dung USTDA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO VIETNAM’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DURING OFFICIAL VISIT OF VIETNAMESE PRIME MINISTER DUNG
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 24, 2008) – Today, two USTDA projects were featured at a business and trade promotion event held at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
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USTDA Reopens its Program in Thailand USTDA REOPENS ITS PROGRAM IN THAILAND
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 7, 2008) – USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak today announced the reopening of the agency's program in Thailand. The announcement follows the certification by the U.S. Department of State to Congress yesterday of Thailand's inauguration of a democratically elected government.
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USTDA Grant Supports Integrated Coal Mining and Power Generation Project in Pakistan USTDA GRANT SUPPORTS INTEGRATED COAL MINING AND POWER GENERATION PROJECT IN PAKISTAN
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2007) – To address critical power shortages and promote energy security in Pakistan under the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, announced by President George W. Bush and President Pervez Musharraf in March 2006, USTDA today awarded an $810,000 grant to Habibullah Energy Limited (HEL).
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U.S.-India Aviation Partnership Summit Opens U.S.-INDIA AVIATION PARTNERSHIP SUMMMIT OPENS
NEW DELHI, INDIA (April 23, 2007) – To promote greater collaboration between the U.S. and Indian aviation sectors, USTDA, in partnership with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), Government of India, is sponsoring the U.S.-India Aviation Partnership Summit, which opened today at the Taj Majal Hotel.
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Sub-Saharan Africa

Ghanaian Vice President Mahama Opens USTDA Conference on Information and Communications Infrastructure in West Africa GHANAIAN VICE PRESIDENT MAHAMA OPENS USTDA CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE IN WEST AFRICA
ACCRA, GHANA (July 09, 2008) – In support of USTDA’s long-term commitment to infrastructure development in Africa, Vice President Mahama, Deputy Director Zak and Ambassador David Gross opened a conference on expanding information and communications technology infrastructure in West Africa.
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USTDA Director Walther Unveils African Trade Lanes Partnership Initiative USTDA DIRECTOR WALTHER UNVEILS AFRICAN TRADE LANES PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (April 14, 2008) – Today, USTDA Director Larry W. Walther officially launched the African Trade Lanes Partnership in opening remarks at the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Transportation and Trade Forum.
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Rwandan President Paul Kagame Opens USTDA Conference on Information and Communication Infrastructure in Africa RWANDAN PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OPENS USTDA CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 19, 2007) – Promoting a dialogue on the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure necessary to support Africa's economic development is the focus a USTDA-sponsored conference that opened today at the Hilton Hotel in the San Francisco Financial District.
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USTDA Supports Development of the Power Sector In Liberia During President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's Visit USTDA SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT OF THE POWER SECTOR IN LIBERIA DURING PRESIDENT ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF'S VISIT
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 15, 2007) – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency made its first commitment to the ongoing development of Liberia that is being led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. USTDA invested $400,000 in a grant to the Liberian Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy to assist in developing the nation's power sector.
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