CAIRO, EGYPT – Leading innovators in the clean energy sector from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the United States came together today for the opening of MENA Power 2010. Over the next two days, the Forum will provide a platform for greater regional collaboration for the advancement of clean and renewable energy development in the region.

Following the opening session that included speeches from H.E. Dr. Hassan Younes, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Energy, Charge d’Affaires Mathew Tueller and Regional Director Carl B. Kress, USTDA concluded a $416,000 grant agreement to support a feasibility study that will develop an implementation plan for the introduction of smart meters into Egypt's distribution network. Working with the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, the study will examine and recommend appropriate technologies for smart metering with the goal of covering as many as 24 million residential customers within a three year period.

The Forum is co-hosted by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy, in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Department of State. This collaboration is a demonstration of President Obama's commitment to strengthening social and economic partnerships between the United States and Muslim-majority countries, which he outlined last year in Cairo. The Forum will generate new opportunities for U.S. power suppliers to connect with MENA stakeholders on a broad array of cutting-edge equipment and service solutions in the clean energy sector.

U.S. companies at the forefront of clean energy development have proven their growing interest in the MENA region through support and sponsorship of the Forum. This interest is driven by the region's vast potential for new clean energy development, including solar, wind, geothermal and other forms of clean energy production.

In a series of panels and workshops, representatives from GE, Honeywell, Mantrac/Caterpillar, Solar Reserve, Black and Veatch, Worley Parsons, and eSolar will showcase the latest clean energy technologies and present strategies for improving energy efficiency, transmission and distribution. Sharing lessons learned from past projects and new developments on the horizon, these companies will address both the technical and administrative elements of strategic energy planning.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops to support development of modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's efforts create an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.

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