USTDA generates an average of $231 in U.S. exports for every dollar it programs. Since its inception, the Agency has supported more than $119 billion in U.S. exports to infrastructure projects in emerging economies, helping companies create good-paying jobs across the United States.
Arlington, VA – U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong will travel to Côte d’Ivoire from March 16-19 to champion the mobilization of green and sustainable financing for Africa’s infrastructure priorities. She will also announce USTDA’s grant-based project preparation support to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s electrical grid and improve efficiency and logistics at the Port of Abidjan.
“Green and sustainable financing has become the fastest-growing global asset class, but most of these transactions have been focused on developed economies. Our goal is to shift attention toward climate-focused financing for Africa’s infrastructure priorities,” said Director Ebong. “Careful structuring of these projects will be essential. This is where USTDA’s project preparation assistance can play a critical role. It can help mobilize the financing that is needed for project implementation while creating business opportunities for U.S. industry.”
Director Ebong will open USTDA’s U.S.-Africa Green and Sustainable Financing Workshop, hosted in collaboration with the African Development Bank. She will speak to U.S. and African project development and financing stakeholders about solutions to help narrow the large financing gap for the continent’s climate-smart infrastructure priorities.
Director Ebong will also highlight USTDA’s support of Africa50’s Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA) initiative to raise capital for transformational climate infrastructure. In support of this goal, USTDA has dedicated funding to identify green infrastructure candidate projects that require grant-based project preparation. These prospective activities would be structured to address the lending requirements of AGIA’s financing partners.
While in Abidjan, Director Ebong will announce new USTDA funding to strengthen the national power grid. Specifically, the Agency has approved a feasibility study grant to state-owned power transmission company Côte d’Ivoire Energies that will help develop a power grid emergency control system to increase the grid’s stability and reduce blackouts. When implemented, the system will be the first of its kind deployed on the continent and could serve as a model for other countries.
Director Ebong will also tour the Port of Abidjan, which will benefit from a USTDA-funded feasibility study and pilot project to reduce traffic congestion and improve cargo flows in the area. The Agency’s grant to Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Transport will help develop a truck parking and logistics center using technologies from Virginia-based NTELX, Inc. The project builds on insights from a previous USTDA-funded reverse trade mission that brought officials to the United States to view U.S. innovations.
USTDA has a rich ongoing portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire, including projects to generate clean energy through decentralized solar minigrids for up to 100 communities and a power plant in the Boundiali region that will transform cotton stalk biomass into energy for the national grid. USTDA has also funded reverse trade missions to bring Ivoirians to the United States for a firsthand look at U.S. technologies, best practices, and financing to address their priorities, including a 2022 activity on port logistics and an upcoming mission dedicated to cybersecurity.
The portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire advances numerous Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, Prosper Africa, Power Africa and the Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative. The Agency’s programming also follows through on commitments made at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University for a feasibility study and pilot project to support Thailand’s progress toward adopting next-generation Wi-Fi technologies that can transform its healthcare sector. Ramathibodi Hospital selected U.S.-based non-profit industry group Wi-Fi Alliance, to conduct the study. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo witnessed USTDA’s grant signing during a ceremony that took place in Bangkok.
“Hospitals need high-quality digital infrastructure to fully realize the transformational benefits of many emerging, lifesaving technologies,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Through this partnership with Ramathibodi Hospital and Wi-Fi Alliance, USTDA aims to deploy U.S. innovation that can support Thailand’s adoption of next-generation technologies to enhance its medical education and service delivery.”
Technologies like virtual and augmented reality are sophisticated and powerful tools, but they are deeply dependent on fast, secure connectivity that can process high volumes of data with minimal delay. Next-generation Wi-Fi technologies offer a solution. The USTDA-funded study will include proof-of-concept for the deployment of Wi-Fi 6E technology at Ramathibodi Hospital, one of Thailand’s leading public teaching hospitals. The initial pilot phase will demonstrate how the technology, which enables faster speeds and lower delay by opening the 6 GHz spectrum band, could improve medical education and service delivery in areas such as virtual and augmented reality for anatomy training. The second phase of the pilot will test the performance of Wi-Fi 6E in a dense technical environment. Successful deployment could serve as a model for nationwide adoption of next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity.
“This collaborative pilot project will play an important role in the widespread implementation of Wi-Fi 6E technologies in the health sector in Thailand, especially for improving medical education and ultimately enhancing medical services for the greater good and betterment of the nation, which is the most crucial mission that we hold onto,” said Clin. Prof. Artit Ungkanont, M.D., the Dean of Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital.
“With this pilot project, the U.S. government and U.S. technology leaders are offering their support to demonstrate how the 6 GHz band can enable the next generation of Wi-Fi and play a major role in the growth of Thailand’s healthcare sector and broader digital economy,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec. “We are confident that this initiative will allow both Thailand and the United States to derive greater benefit from the technology.”
Kevin Robinson, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, said: “Wi-Fi is critical infrastructure in healthcare facilities, and opening the 6 GHz band brings tremendous opportunity for global innovation and significant socioeconomic impact. The Ramathibodi Hospital project will demonstrate the potential for 6 GHz Wi-Fi to revolutionize and reshape healthcare throughout Thailand and across the globe.”
USTDA’s support for this project advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, with the goal of developing, expanding, and deploying secure digital infrastructure to power economic growth and facilitate open digital societies, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a grant agreement with Indonesian national utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) for a feasibility study to support of the development of two cross-border power interconnections between Indonesia and Malaysia. The project, which advances a key power sector objective for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will facilitate efficient resource sharing to help meet growing energy demands, enhance energy security, and implement policies for clean energy and climate protection goals in both countries.
“Deploying this cross-border power transmission infrastructure will further Indonesia and Malaysia’s renewable energy, climate, and economic ambitions and catalyze benefits across ASEAN member nations,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This partnership with PLN holds great opportunity to expand economic development across Indonesia and Malaysia by connecting them and their partners to the technical and technology solutions offered by U.S. industry.”
Interconnections allow countries to share electricity across borders, which helps match power supply to local demand, and are particularly valuable for maximizing power generated by variable renewable energy sources. USTDA’s study will assess the feasibility of interconnections between Sumatra in Indonesia and peninsular Malaysia (Sumatra Interconnection) and between Kalimantan, Indonesia and Sabah, Malaysia (Kalimantan Interconnection).
Washington, D.C.-based advisory firm Delphos International, Ltd. will carry out the study in coordination with Malaysian power utilities Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd. The ASEAN Centre for Energy will support the project by engaging with the numerous stakeholders in both countries who will benefit from its implementation.
“The exploration of these interconnections is a critical step forward in enhancing our national and regional energy resilience as well as bringing mutual prosperity to the Southeast Asian region. This ambitious dream can only be achieved through collaboration, as demonstrated by the recent signing of the grant agreement between PLN and USTDA,” said President Director of PLN Darmawan Prasodjo.
Darmawan acknowledged while the establishment of this interconnected system poses challenges in terms of policy, technical, and commercial aspects, these obstacles can be overcome with a unified approach.
“Collaboration with USTDA allows us to leverage international expertise and resources, bringing us closer to realizing our vision for a more connected and sustainable power network across ASEAN,” added Darmawan.
This new infrastructure will form part of a network of 18 potential cross-border interconnections identified in the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study, which was developed through funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Yohannes Abraham said, “Energy cooperation is a key part of the unprecedented expansion of U.S. engagement with ASEAN through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. USTDA’s partnership with PLN will enhance U.S. support of ASEAN’s clean energy transition, including through the development of electrical power interconnections for expanded regional power trade and system reliability. This partnership will strengthen connectivity and resilience in ASEAN.”
USTDA’s assistance advances several critical Biden Administration priorities, including the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership and the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This support also promotes the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357 | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is supporting Vietnam’s efforts to develop regulations that will streamline its ability to procure top-tier medical devices from U.S. companies and strengthen the quality of healthcare in Vietnam.
From March 11-22, USTDA will host Vietnamese health officials in the United States to exchange information and solicit input from U.S. companies and government officials as the country develops its first-ever “Law on Medical Devices.” This law will develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical device registration and approval.
Nearly all medical device technologies in Vietnam are imported. As a result, the ability to meet hospitals’ needs for the latest healthcare innovations depends on quick and efficient device registration and licensing processes. Recognizing the importance of a streamlined system, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is now drafting the country’s first comprehensive law governing all aspects of medical devices – from procurement to licensing and distribution – with the aim of aligning Vietnam’s healthcare policies and regulations with international best practices and standards.
USTDA’s delegation will travel to Boston, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C., where they will join the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s International Medical Device Regulators Forum to meet counterparts from around the world who are working together to advance global regulatory harmonization and convergence in the medical devices field.
On March 13, USTDA will host a public business briefing in Washington, D.C., for U.S. companies to share insights with the delegation on how the U.S. healthcare industry and government work together, and the impact that medical device regulation has on driving innovation and investment. Participants will be able to meet one-on-one with delegates to discuss and share how the U.S. healthcare system and equipment generate value for health institutions and patients. For more information and registration, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/.
This USTDA reverse trade mission supports the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries, and the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’s effort to advance health cooperation.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong will travel to Indonesia from March 6-8 to highlight and build upon the Agency’s ongoing support for the sustainable development of Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara. Director Ebong will also formalize USTDA funding for power interconnection projects between Indonesia and Malaysia.
“USTDA has a rich history of partnership with Indonesia, with a focus on advancing Indonesia’s infrastructure priorities that the U.S. private sector can support through cutting-edge innovations,” said Director Ebong. “Among our many other projects in the country, USTDA is here to support Indonesia’s efforts to build a world-class new capital city, a challenging endeavor that also creates numerous opportunities for cooperation. We share Indonesia’s commitment to developing the kind of high-quality infrastructure that will grow and sustain long-term prosperity across the country.”
USTDA is deploying the full breadth of its project preparation and partnership-building toolkit to support the development of Nusantara as a sustainable, efficient city centered on quality of life. While in Indonesia, Director Ebong will tour the future site of Nusantara, announce new commitments, and participate in associated USTDA-funded programming:
- Nusantara Business Forum: Director Ebong will open USTDA’s Nusantara Business Forum, which will highlight smart city solutions and related commercial opportunities to advance the new capital city’s livability and sustainability.
- Nusantara Procurement and Project Management Workshop: Under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative, Director Ebong will conclude a training workshop for more than 60 Indonesian officials from 12 government agencies to help optimize high-quality infrastructure procurement for Nusantara.
- New Capital Reverse Trade Mission: Director Ebong will announce USTDA support for a reverse trade mission to the United States to familiarize Indonesian officials with U.S. smart city solutions.
- Nusantara Smart City Technical Assistance: Director Ebong will announce new project preparation support for Nusantara’s smart city infrastructure.
Director Ebong will also announce USTDA funding to support power transmission interconnection projects between Indonesia and Malaysia. She will advance other local infrastructure priorities through meetings with USTDA grantees, Indonesian government officials, and U.S. and Indonesian private sector representatives.
Since 1992, USTDA has supported over 100 infrastructure development activities in Indonesia, which was USTDA’s largest country portfolio in the Indo-Pacific region in 2023. In 2021, the Agency opened an office at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, which has significantly increased the Agency’s ability to grow its local outreach in country. Indonesia has been a GPI partner country since 2021.
USTDA’s work in Indonesia advances Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Funding for climate-related projects also supports the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership and USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357 | press@ustda.gov