Department of Commerce to Lead Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission to India and China

Contact: Matt Englehart
202-482-3809

Washington – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will lead a Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission to India and China in April of 2007. This mission aims to match participating U.S. companies with opportunities in these fast-growing markets, where American clean technology goods and services can help improve the environment.

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush emphasized the critical role American technology and innovation must play to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian, who will lead the Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission, said both the environment and U.S. industry will benefit from this commercial exchange.

“We have seen amazing growth in the economies of both India and China that has led to a great need for additional energy in these countries, and we expect this trend to continue,” said Bohigian. “At the same time, U.S. companies have developed innovative clean-energy products, and their deployment in India and China will have dramatic effects on the environment not only in these countries, but around the world. It is important to reduce air pollution without hindering world economic growth, and the United States is poised to be a leader in this effort.”

The mission will target a broad range of clean energy technologies such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal and distributed generation. All are industries related to the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). The APP is a Presidential initiative to achieve a reduction in the intensity of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security, in the context of sustained economic growth.

The APP is a public-private partnership including six partner countries, representing half of the world’s economy, population and energy consumption: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States. 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:
India plans 100 gigawatts (GW) of new power over the next ten years, including 10 GW from renewable sources. This includes the electrification of 18,000 remote villages.

By 2020, China plans to spend nearly $200 billion to increase renewable energy use to 15 percent of total supply as well as reduce the energy that its buildings consume by 65 percent. China also plans to provide electricity for its remaining 25-30 million people without power.

For additional information regarding the Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission, visit www.export.gov/cleanenergymission. For additional information regarding APP, visit www.asiapacificpartnership.org.