WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2002BThe U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it will accept applications for four export market development programs until March 11. The programs are the fiscal year 2002 Emerging Markets Program (EMP), Market Access Program (MAP), Quality Samples Program (QSP) and the FY 2003 Foreign Market Development Program (FMD).

USDA also announced that it will accept applications for the Section 108 Foreign Currency Program on a continuing basis. Under this program, available foreign currencies are used for market development activities. Applications for Section 108 will be reviewed quarterly.

Details on applications for these programs can be found in Federal Register notices posted on the web at http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/fr/notices.html

All of the programs are designed to help expand commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and are administered by USDA=s Foreign Agricultural Service.  Applications for participation in these programs are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, March 11, 2002.

The purpose of the EMP is to assist U.S. public and private organizations in improving market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products in low- to middle-income countries. The program focuses on expanding market access opportunities where there are risks that the private sector would not normally undertake alone.

Working through U.S. trade organizations and small-sized entities, the MAP is designed to create, expand and maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities through cost-share assistance. MAP participants share in the cost of overseas marketing and promotion activities.

The QSP helps U.S. exporters provide samples of American commodities to foreign buyers who have not previously used them, as a means to encourage new purchases. The program supports projects that benefit whole industries rather than individual companies. When a project is finished, USDA reimburses the costs for procuring and exporting the samples.   

The FMD program provides funds to help nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations in developing and maintaining foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products through a cost-share program. FMD funds are allocated to U.S. trade organizations with the broadest possible producer representation. Priority is given to organizations that are nationwide in membership and scope. Activities must contribute to the maintenance or growth of demand for the agricultural commodities and generally address long-term foreign import constraints and export growth opportunities.

Section 108 provides cost-share assistance in the form of foreign currencies to the private sector for the development, maintenance and expansion of long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products and agricultural technical assistance in foreign countries.

Applicants can submit a single application for all of the export assistance programs under the Unified Export Strategy (UES). Using the UES, constituents can consolidate their market development proposals into one strategically coordinated proposal for all the programs.

Applicants are encouraged to apply through the Internet. To do so, contact the FAS Marketing Operations Staff by calling (202) 720-4327 for a log-on ID and a password. The web-based application is on the Internet at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/ues/unified.html

Applications can also be hand-delivered to: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing Operations Staff, Room 4932-S, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-1042; or mailed to: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing Operations Staff, Stop 1042, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-1042.

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