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 – This week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will bring a delegation of Pacific Island port sector officials to the United States to identify technologies and best practices for strengthening the efficiency and climate resilience of port infrastructure in five Pacific Island countries.
The 15-delegate mission includes decision-makers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tonga. They will travel to Baltimore, Houston, and Washington, DC, where they will meet U.S. companies, financing institutions and regulatory experts to discuss opportunities, solutions and best practices for developing port infrastructure. They will also tour the Port of Baltimore and Port Houston.
Pacific Island economies can face unique challenges due to their size and isolation. Many rely heavily on a few key port facilities, which require efficient, resilient infrastructure to operate at peak capacity and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
USTDA’s reverse trade mission will facilitate two-way information sharing on cutting-edge U.S. technologies, best practices and near-term procurement opportunities to increase port connectivity, efficiency, and security. Climate adaptation and resilience technologies will be an area of focus, as Pacific Islands nations are expected to be disproportionately impacted by climate change threats like severe adverse weather events and sea-level rise.
USTDA’s reverse trade mission will include a public business roundtable in Washington, DC, on November 8, where U.S. companies can learn directly from the delegation about upcoming commercial opportunities and present their innovative port solutions. For more information, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/.
This reverse trade mission supports the Administration’s commitment to enhancing the U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership, including through the USTDA-led Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative. It also supports the goals of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Transportation Partnership with the Pacific Islands.
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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
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced that it has renewed its partnership with the Dominican Republic’s National Public Procurement Service (DGCP) to advance high-quality infrastructure in the Dominican Republic. Under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative (GPI), USTDA plans to sponsor training and technical assistance through October 2028 to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s public procurement practices. The goal is to fully implement value-for-money principles that reward quality over lowest-cost, enhance international competition, level the playing field for U.S. exporters and other suppliers of high-quality solutions, and further the most efficient use of public funds.
“USTDA is proud to renew our partnership with DGCP,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “The Dominican Republic’s ongoing commitment to invest in quality infrastructure matches our goal to lay the strongest possible foundation for critical public infrastructure in areas such as clean energy, digital and healthcare infrastructure.”
USTDA and DGCP will jointly design a training and technical assistance program to advance the professionalization of the Dominican Republic’s procurement workforce, with the goal of fully implementing and realizing the benefits of the country’s existing procurement law.
Carlos Pimentel, Director of the DGCP, emphasized that the organization “has a very clear goal, to contribute to the professionalization of all actors in the Dominican State purchasing system, in order to lay the foundations for the special career in public procurement.”
Launched in 2013, USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative trains public officials in emerging economies on how to establish procurement practices and policies that integrate life-cycle cost analysis and best value determination in a fair, transparent manner. GPI helps partner countries acquire high-quality, long-lasting technologies, while building smart, sustainable infrastructure with overall savings to their government. These procurement methods also open markets to greater international competition. GPI leverages the expertise of its institutional partners and collaborators, which include universities, multilateral development banks and government entities.
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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
Arlington, VA – On October 30, USTDA will begin its U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week, which will bring African leaders and decision-makers to the United States to explore innovative infrastructure solutions for their climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation priorities. Vice President Kamala Harris announced USTDA’s initiative during her March 2023 trip to Africa as an example of the U.S. government’s commitment to addressing African nations’ pressing needs resulting from the climate crisis.
“USTDA’s U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week will foster two-way knowledge sharing and build connections for U.S. solutions to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure that meets African leaders’ priorities for climate adaptation and resilience,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “It is imperative that we work together as a global community to address the impacts of the climate crisis as we collectively work to curb global emissions.”
The African delegation comprises 28 individuals from 13 countries across the continent. Half the delegation will travel to the Los Angeles area to learn about state-of-the-art U.S. solutions for water management. The other half will travel to New Orleans for a showcase of U.S. technologies and best practices in early warning and disaster response systems. The week will culminate in a joint program in Washington, DC, where delegates will engage with leading U.S. government agencies and organizations shaping policies and financing opportunities for climate-resilient infrastructure.
On November 3, USTDA will host public business briefings in Washington, DC, where U.S. companies can learn directly from the delegation about upcoming business opportunities and schedule one-on-one meetings with them to present their innovative solutions. For more information about U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/event/africa-climate-innovation-week/.
Recent analyses have identified the need for trillions of dollars in annual infrastructure investments to face the global climate crisis. USTDA works with emerging economies at greatest risk of climate impacts and funds infrastructure development activities that address their adaptation and resilience needs while generating export opportunities for U.S. firms.
USTDA’s U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week advances USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) Initiative.
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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
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire for technical assistance to support the development of an estimated 25-megawatt cotton stalk biomass power plant in the Boundiali region of Côte d’Ivoire. Ecostar selected Washington, D.C.-based Delphos International Ltd. to carry out the assistance.
“USTDA’s partnership with Ecostar will support the diversification of Côte d’Ivoire’s power generation mix with a renewable resource that is locally abundant,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This project will also contribute to the country’s power generation capacity to keep up with its growing economy, while creating opportunities for U.S. companies to partner with Ecostar to supply the equipment and services needed for project implementation.”
Upon implementation, the biomass power plant will primarily be fueled by locally sourced cotton stalk. The project will increase Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity generation capacity, increase the country’s share of renewable energy sources, and provide additional revenue generation for farmers. It will also address challenges with widespread agricultural waste that, if not put to other productive use, is burned and produces air pollution.
“Like most African countries, the Ivorian economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. Biomass generated as a byproduct of farming activities could foster socio-economic growth in marginal regions through its capacity to enhance energy security. This grant from USTDA comes in a timely manner and covers all funding gaps needed to complete outstanding feasibility workstreams,” said Sylvain Kouame, CEO of Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire.
USTDA’s support of this technical assistance will advance the Power Africa, Prosper Africa, and Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment initiatives as well as 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
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Tuvalu Telecom Corporation (TTC) for a feasibility study to support the development of the Central Pacific Cable, a 15,900-kilometer subsea cable between Guam and American Samoa that will provide new or expanded connectivity to approximately 400,000 people in 12 Pacific Island countries and overseas territories in between. TTC selected Florida-based APTelecom LLC to conduct the study.
“Increasing access to secure, high-speed connectivity in the Pacific Islands is a priority for USTDA, the U.S. government, and our Pacific Island partners,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This project will provide critical internet capacity to create economic opportunities and improve lives. This grant is just one example of USTDA’s commitment to promoting resilient, quality digital infrastructure in the region using U.S.-based solutions.”
USTDA’s study will create a high-level design for the Central Pacific Cable and assess its technical and commercial feasibility for TTC. The cable would be the first subsea cable connection to Tuvalu, which currently relies on satellite connectivity. When completed, the cable will connect American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
“For far too long, Tuvalu has grappled with limited access to information, restricted economic opportunities, and challenges in accessing essential services,” said Tenanoia Simona, CEO of TTC. “The absence of submarine cable infrastructure has isolated our community from the global digital landscape, hindering our ability to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. As we embark on this journey, let us remember that the power of connectivity extends beyond the technical aspects of the project. It embodies the principles of unity, equality, and empowerment. The benefits will ripple through education, healthcare, commerce, governance, and cultural preservation, fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of the United States for their invaluable support in advancing this vital initiative.”
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru and Tuvalu, Marie Damour, said: “The United States, alongside our Quad allies, supports the building of trusted, high-quality subsea cables that transform digital access in the Pacific Islands. This grant is a demonstration of the U.S. government’s commitment to forming partnerships and expanding critical infrastructure in this important sector.”
USTDA’s study advances the goals of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, and the Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative.
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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
