COMMERCE DEPUTY SECRETARY TO LEAD AMERICAN FIRMS ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO
ROMANIA AND BULGARIA

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Sam Bodman today announced that 12 U.S. firms will accompany him on a business development mission to Bucharest, Romania, and Sofia, Bulgaria, July 14-19, 2003. Bodman’s trip follows Secretary Evans’ visit to both countries in February of this year.

“I’m pleased to lead this fine group of American business leaders to explore business opportunities in Romania and Bulgaria. These two countries have made great economic strides and have recently been invited to join NATO,” said Bodman. “We know that global trade grows economies and creates jobs. Increasing trade and business investment between our countries will promote opportunity and prosperity for all our citizens.”

Bodman’s trip underscores the maturing relationship between the United States and both Romania and Bulgaria. The mission aims to increase trade and commercial cooperation by fostering economic growth and creating jobs in each country. Deputy Secretary Bodman will be joined by Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash.

The trip will put U.S. businesses in contact with senior government officials and business leaders in both countries. The delegation includes senior executives of small, medium and large U.S. firms representing telecom, technology, engineering, automotive, food processing, travel and tourism, construction equipment, energy products, security equipment, and educational and training services.

The trade mission is Bodman’s first of the year. Secretary Don Evans announced today that Deputy Secretary Bodman will be leading a trade mission to Brazil in November of this year.

Further information about the business development mission may be obtained at http://www.commerce.gov/romaniabulgariatrademission.

The Official Business Delegation includes:

Artel, Inc. Telecom Products, Technology & Services
Reston, Virginia
Abbas Yazdani, President

EN Engineering, LLC Engineering Services
Woodbridge, Illinois
Joseph J. Posewick, President

ITW Performance Automotive Products and Services
Riviera Beach, Florida
Fabrizio Flaminio, Export Sales Manager

J. Westcott Associates Ltd. Food Processing and Packaging Equipment
Stevensville, Michigan
John Westcott, President

Lemna International, Inc. Engineering Services
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Poldi Gerard, Vice President Marketing

Networld, Inc. Travel and Tourism
Parsippany, New Jersey
Davor Gjivoje, Chairman

New England Door Corp. Construction Equipment and Services
Canton, Massachusetts
Graham Massey, Export Sales Manager

Optimo LLC Energy Products, Technology and Services
Cleveland, Ohio
Lucian Fogoros, Executive Vice President

Retech Systems LLC Env Products, Technology and Services
Ukiah, California
James E. Crouch, President

RRB Systems International Security Equipment and Services
Jacksonville, Florida
Roy Bedard, President

The Research Roundation, SUNY Education and Training Services
Albany, New York
Robert L. King, Chancellor

Walbridge Aldinger Company Automotive Products and Services
Detroit, Michigan
John Rakolta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer