From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Apr 18 2003 - 10:20:16 EDT
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2003
CONTACTS
Program: Donna Thiessen (703) 875-4357
Logistics: Dan Lamey (305) 667-4705
USTDA ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE ON REBUILDING AFGHANISTAN
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - Reconstruction of Afghanistan's infrastructure is
the focus of an upcoming conference being organized by the U.S. Trade
and Development Agency (USTDA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The
event will be held June 8-10, 2003 and will bring Afghan government
officials together with U.S. suppliers of engineering, construction and
technology services and equipment.
"Afghanistan - Rebuilding a Nation" will highlight more than 35
large-scale projects in the areas of electric power; water and
sanitation; transportation, including roads and civil aviation; oil and
gas development and pipelines; telecommunications; and construction.
The combined value of the projects to be presented at the conference is
expected to exceed $4 billion. Afghan officials taking part in the
event will present details on the projects and make themselves available
for one-on-one meetings with participating U.S. companies.
Representatives of other U.S. agencies involved in trade and
international development work, as well as members of the
Afghan-American business community, will be present at the conference.
Officials from U.S. and international lending institutions, including
the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
and the World Bank, will also be on hand to discuss financing and loan
guarantee programs available to U.S. companies for Afghanistan
reconstruction and development projects.
"Due to the massive destruction two decades of war has visited upon
Afghanistan, there is an urgent need for reconstruction. Many U.S.
firms possess technology and expertise that can help Afghan leaders to
develop and implement the most effective and efficient solutions to meet
their infrastructure needs," noted USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey.
Participants will receive a comprehensive resource guide and CD-ROM
outlining the projects featured, including critical economic
information, export potential, time lines for implementation, equipment
needs and key contacts. "This conference will provide a unique forum to
discuss the Afghan government's plans for the implementation of specific
projects and the manner in which the U.S. private sector can participate
in reconstruction efforts," said Askey.
The conference will be held at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 West
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois. For more information, or to register
for the event, visit the conference website at www.trademeetings.com.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and
U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.
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. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis
to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and
services.
The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes U.S. businesses, trade and
economic policy. The Department also operates the Afghanistan
Reconstruction Task Force, which serves as a clearinghouse of
information for U.S. companies interested in rebuilding efforts.
-30-
conference website: www.trademeetings.com
|
