USTDA generates an average of $231 in U.S. exports for every dollar it programs. Since its inception, the Agency has supported more than $120 billion in U.S. exports to infrastructure projects in emerging economies, helping companies create good-paying jobs across the United States.
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a $2.37 million grant to the Palau Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII) for a feasibility study to support the relocation and construction of the new Belau National Hospital (BNH). To meet Palau’s current and future healthcare needs, the project will reduce reliance on medical support outside the country, improve access to high-quality medical care, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
“Island nations like Palau are prioritizing the development of high-quality infrastructure to become more self-sufficient and address the impacts of climate change. This focus extends to healthcare infrastructure,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “USTDA’s partnership with Palau will help relocate and transform Belau National Hospital to meet the needs of Palau’s citizens. Our partnership will further USTDA’s goal of bringing U.S. private sector solutions to advance the priorities of Pacific Island nations.”
BNH is the only hospital in Palau, and it currently faces challenges including limited capacity and damage to facilities caused by flooding and other impacts of climate change. To improve the health of Palauans, Palau’s President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. has prioritized relocating BNH to a location that will be safer from environmental impacts. In addition to the hospital’s relocation, the Government of Palau will upgrade BNH to serve larger volumes of patients with state-of-the-art medical technologies. USTDA’s study will provide MPII with evaluations of potential new locations for BNH and identify the hospital’s needs.
President Whipps said: “We are deeply appreciative of USTDA’s support to the feasibility study. The relocation and upgrade of the Belau National Hospital will considerably enhance our healthcare capabilities and ensure that our facilities are prepared to handle the increasing environmental challenges we face.”
U.S. Ambassador to Palau, Joel Ehrendreich, said: “This collaboration reflects the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Palau,” said. “Together, we are advancing healthcare and strengthening resilience, creating a future of opportunity and sustainability for the people of Palau and the broader Pacific region.”
This study supports multiple U.S. government initiatives and policy priorities, including the Biden Administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the U.S.-Pacific Partnership, and the Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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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 – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is funding a reverse trade mission that will bring a delegation of Brazilian rail sector leaders to the United States, to build partnerships with U.S. industry and accelerate the modernization and decarbonization of Brazil’s freight rail network.
While in the United States from October 20 to 31, the 10-member delegation of public and private sector representatives will travel to Washington, D.C.; Dallas; and Chicago to meet U.S. companies and trade associations, see demonstrations of cutting-edge U.S. technologies, and engage with sources of financing. Site visits will include a tour of the Belt Railway of Chicago.
USTDA will host a public business briefing in Chicago on October 29 for U.S. companies to learn about upcoming commercial opportunities related to Brazil’s freight rail network and meet one-on-one with delegates to present their innovative freight solutions. For more information, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/.
Brazil’s freight rail network is one of the largest in the world. Although rail is already one of the cleanest modes of transportation, opportunities abound to further decarbonize and build resilience in the sector. U.S. companies offer leading freight rail technologies, especially with regard to alternative energy sources, such as batteries and hydrogen fuel cells to power locomotive fleets, as well as digital technologies that improve efficiencies.
This 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, USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure that connects U.S. industry to major clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in emerging economies, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience 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 | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Next week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency will bring a delegation of South African municipal energy decision-makers to the United States to build industry partnerships and identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward more sustainable, resilient energy systems.
USTDA’s reverse trade mission will take place from October 20 to 26 and include site visits to Charlotte and Raleigh, NC; and Denver, CO, where the 14-member delegation will meet U.S. companies and municipal counterparts and see demonstrations of cutting-edge U.S. technologies. They will also view the latest innovative research on clean energy and grid technologies at the Electric Power Research Institute in Charlotte and at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver. In Colorado, they will visit the Western Area Power Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, to learn about its role in selling and transmitting wholesale electricity to Federal, state, and local government entities, which then provide retail electric service to consumers.
USTDA will host a public business briefing in Raleigh on October 22 and a networking reception on October 24 in Denver where U.S. companies can learn about commercial opportunities related to South Africa’s municipal energy needs and meet one-on-one to present their business solutions. For more information, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/.
Changes in South Africa’s energy policy are creating new business opportunities for U.S. companies. In 2020, its government enacted legislation allowing South African municipalities to procure electricity directly from independent power producers instead of purchasing entirely from the country’s public utility. At least ten cities and municipalities across the country are now exploring this option, which presents opportunities for U.S. companies to export innovative power generation technologies in support of South African municipalities’ energy needs.
USTDA’s reverse trade mission forms part of the Agency’s South Africa Clean Energy and Climate Infrastructure Event Series, to promote cooperation on clean energy and climate projects between the public and private sectors in the United States and South Africa. USTDA developed this series as part of its commitment to support the Just Energy Transition Partnership in South Africa, announced in November 2021. Previous events in the series have featured green hydrogen and smart grid technologies.
The reverse trade mission also supports the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries; USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure that connects U.S. industry to major clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in emerging economies; and the Power Africa 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 | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has awarded a feasibility study grant to Burundi-based Weza Power SURL (Weza Power) to help develop a rural electric utility with the capacity to connect nine million people to the national grid. Weza Power selected Washington, D.C.-based non-profit NRECA International to conduct the study.
“This project will have a transformative impact on rural communities across Burundi, providing access to reliable electricity for students, families, and business owners,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “USTDA’s partnership with Weza Power is a critical component of the U.S. government’s coordinated effort to meet Burundi’s power sector goals. Our Agency’s work will enhance the project’s bankability while creating opportunities for U.S. companies to deploy their technology for its implementation.”
Access to electricity in Burundi is less than 2% for rural communities and 11% nationally; full implementation of the project is expected to increase access to 70% and 76%, respectively. The USTDA-funded study will help lay the groundwork for the creation of the utility and recommend pathways for unlocking additional financing and deploying innovative U.S.-made technologies and services. By adding a U.S. commercial nexus to the project, USTDA’s work will complement development assistance provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Development Finance Corporation, and U.S. government-led Power Africa initiative.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with USTDA on detailed technical studies for Weza Power,” said Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of Ananza Electric Group, the parent company of Weza Power. “USTDA’s support combined with the technical and operational planning expertise of NRECA International will be instrumental in our mission of developing, building, and operating a sustainable, reliable and affordable power grid to serve rural Burundians.”
“These agreements, and the cooperative efforts to provide electricity to all Burundians, represents another U.S. investment in the future of this country. With an expanded national grid, and increased power supplies, electricity will reach the rural communities. Every single Burundian will someday benefit from the impact of these projects,” said U.S. Ambassador to Burundi Lisa Peterson.
The project will support the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment; Prosper Africa; Power Africa, which aims to increase energy access on the continent; 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 | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will bring a delegation of Nigerian oil and gas industry decision-makers to the United States to build partnerships that will support Nigeria’s climate goals by accelerating the deployment of methane detection and abatement technology.
While in the United States from October 20-30, the 17-member delegation of private sector and government representatives will travel to Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh, PA; Midland-Odessa, TX; and Houston to meet U.S. companies, connect with federal and state policymakers, and see demonstrations of cutting-edge U.S. technologies. In Washington, the delegation will also engage with financial institutions to discuss mobilizing capital for their infrastructure priorities.
USTDA will host a public business briefing in Houston on October 29 where U.S. companies can learn about upcoming commercial opportunities from the delegation and meet one-on-one with delegates to present their innovative methane abatement and flare gas utilization solutions. For more information, please visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/.
The U.S. private sector is at the forefront of methane abatement and flare gas solutions, and there is worldwide consensus that reducing methane gas emissions is the fastest way to slow the pace of global warming. Nigeria is one of 158 country signatories to the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions. While Nigeria has reduced natural gas flaring by more than 70% since 2000, the country remains the seventh highest natural gas-flaring country in the world, according to the World Bank. Nigeria is eager to acquire new technologies and solutions to accelerate progress towards its emissions reduction goals.
USTDA’s reverse trade mission is one of a series of methane abatement visits that have included delegates from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, Libya and Mexico. These visits have focused on a wide array of methane abatement solutions, including methane leak detection and repair, fugitive emission measurement, tracking and abatement, and flare gas utilization solutions.
These reverse trade missions support the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries; USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure that connects U.S. industry to major clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in emerging economies; the U.S. Department of Energy’s Net-Zero World Initiative; Prosper Africa; and the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa.
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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
