Sarah Melendez, TRI, 3202 Tower Oaks Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, Tel: (301) 770-3153, Fax No.: (301) 468-2245

B -- TDA SPONSORED TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT FINANCING FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO REDEVELOP SOUTHERN EUROPE POC Barbara Bradford, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) extends an invitation to U.S. businesses to join the agency in Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, or San Francisco, CA from October 1-5 to receive a status report on the financing that is currently available for projects in Southern Europe -- and how they can access that money. Business opportunities abound in Southeast Europe, but finding financing will not be easy. The two primary sources of contracts for U.S. firms will be the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Even the European Union and the European Investment Bank are able to work with eligible U.S. firms. TDA is bringing the key people who know how to make this process work for U.S. businesses on a tour. At any of the stops, participants will have the opportunity to hear from senior officials from the EBRD and the World Bank on their targeted lending programs for medical, energy, water, transportation and telecommunications projects. If you are an American manufacturer, a small company with technical expertise or a U.S. business fighting to gain a foothold in this soon-to-be competitive market -- join TDA to hear about how you can get involved in projects where financing is aleady moving forward. Guest speakers will include: Joe Grandmaison, TDA's Director, Michael Marek, U.S. Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank; Roy Knighton, EBRD Transportation Team Leader; and Kenneth Moorefield, Minister Counselor for the U.S. Mission to the European Union. Hear also from key U.S. government agencies such as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank and the Agency for International Development. The sessions will take place October 1st in Washington, DC ($50 registration fee includes continental breakfast), October 4th in Chicago, IL ($75 registration fee includes luncheon), and October 5th in San Francisco, CA ($75 registration fee includes luncheon). To register, contact Sarah Melendez at (301) 770-3153. For more information on the event, contact Barbara Bradford at (703) 875-4357. Posted 09/07/99 (I-SN376865). (0250)

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