Ann Lien, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009

L -- TDA ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION PROGRAM TO BOOST EXPORTS TO BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA POC Ann Lien, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) has launched its Bosnia & Herzegovina Infrastructure and Industrial Development Program for 1997, offering $4 million in project planning assistance to attract U.S. companies to provide exports for energy, transportation, telecommunications, and other infrastructure and industrial projects in the Central European nation. "The reconstruction of Bosnia is underway, with hundreds of projects on the drawing boards where the U.S. private sector can play a major role," said TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison in announcing the program, part of President Clinton's effort to support peace through sustainable economic development. "With everything from manufacturing facilities to telecommunications systems needing to be built or rebuilt, this assistance package is designed to support American companies who are positioning themselves to take advantage of export opportunities. Our heavily-subsidized foreign competitors already are in the country trying to win projects; this package will help level the playing field for American companies." Both the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have pledged to assist the nation with the financing of its rebuilding efforts, says Grandmaison, increasing the likelihood of projects being implemented. TDA committed nearly $2 million in assistance during 1996 in the country for an array for projects that have been prioritized by the Bosnian government. Under this new Infrastructure and Industrial Development Program, $4 million in funding is being made available to Bosnian project sponsors to team with U.S. companies for business planning studies, project development activities, and technical and financial feasibility evaluations for specific infrastructure and industrial projects. With this initiative, TDA is soliciting proposals from U.S. exporters that will work with Bosnian public and private sector project sponsors to prepare proposals for Program funding. Typical grants are expected to range between $100,000 and $500,000. TDA generally will cost-share the proposed project planning assistance. For additional information, including an information package on the program's requirements, contact Ann Lien at TDA, 703-875-4357 or by email: info tda.gov. Details of the program also are listed in TDA's World Wide Web site: www.tda.gov. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, based in Rosslyn, Va., is an independent federal agency that assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA provides American firms with market entry, exposure and information through the funding of feasibility studies, technical assistance, and reverse trade missions. These efforts help American businesses establish a position in markets that are otherwise difficult to penetrate. (0030)

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