The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is a source of public money available to help fund feasibility studies to support project development.

USTDA actively promotes its program in Bulgaria and has been successful in building a strong relationship with grant recipients or project sponsors in both the public and private sectors. An independent U.S. Government agency, USTDA advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries, such as Bulgaria. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. Operating at the nexus of foreign policy and commerce, USTDA is uniquely positioned to work with U.S. firms and host countries in achieving the agency’s trade and development goals.

The aim of the agency is a win-win scenario with two primary objectives: 1) to provide assistance on projects that are vital to economic development in Bulgaria; and 2) to provide Bulgarian project sponsors with information on and access to U.S. technology and expertise in advancing important development objectives. Since 1991, USTDA has provided over $17 million worth of funding for more than 70 projects in Bulgaria across a variety of sectors and industries.

USTDA accepts project proposals from many sources, but some of the agency’s most valuable sources are government and private sector partners in Bulgaria. Before approaching USTDA for assistance, a Bulgarian project proponent should consider whether a project: 1) is likely to receive implementation financing and will have a procurement process that provides “equal access” to U.S. firms, 2) is a development priority in Bulgaria, and 3) represents substantial potential for commercial cooperation with American companies.

Project ideas can be brought to the attention of USTDA by contacting the appropriate Country Manager for Bulgaria or by communicating with the Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia.

Contact information and additional details about USTDA’s activities and mission are available on the Internet at www.tda.gov.