2008 annual report - US Trade and Development Agency

strategic focus
USTDA Eligibility Criteria
Proposals submitted to USTDA for funding consideration
are evaluated primarily on the following criteria:
• Priority of the projects to the sponsors and the
countries where they are located and the likelihood
that they will receive implementation financing or, in
the case of USTDA’s trade capacity-building work,
advance trade liberalization efforts; and
• Whether they offer mutual economic benefit for the
host country and the United States, including opportunities
for commercial cooperation with U.S. firms,
thereby supporting U.S. jobs.
Due to the high demand for USTDA funding, not all
proposals that meet USTDA funding criteria can be
supported. USTDA’s program is dependent on the
commitment of the host country to trade reform or
infrastructure development, U.S. policy interests, and
available funding.
Each year, USTDA supports activities aimed at furthering
countries’ economic development by providing
foreign project sponsors with access to U.S. private
sector technologies, expertise, and best practices.
USTDA pursues U.S. trade and development priorities
by focusing on four major areas: promoting energy
security and environmental best practices; ensuring
safe and secure trade; fostering trade capacity and
favorable regulatory frameworks; and responding to
emerging world events..
The USTDA Program
USTDA is a foreign assistance agency that delivers
its program commitments through overseas grants to
project sponsors who, in turn, contract with U.S. firms.
The projects supported by USTDA activities represent
strong and measurable development priorities in
host countries and offer opportunities for commercial
participation by U.S. firms. Public and private sector
project sponsors in developing and middle-income
countries request USTDA support to assist them in
implementing their development priorities.
USTDA’s program is designed to help countries
20 U.S. Trade and Development Agency
establish a favorable trading environment and a modern
infrastructure that promotes sustainable economic
development. To this end, the Agency funds
overseas project sponsor access to U.S. private sector
expertise in the areas of: 1) trade capacity-building
and sector development; and 2) project definition and
investment analysis.
Program Activities
Trade Capacity-Building and Sector Development
• Sector Development Technical Assistance: USTDA
provides technical assistance to facilitate the development
of sector strategies, industry standards,
and legal and regulatory frameworks. This assistance
helps to create a favorable business and
trade environment.
• Trade Agreement Support: USTDA works closely
with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,
private industry and others to deliver trade capacity-building
technical assistance. This assistance is
normally associated with the negotiation and implementation
of trade agreements and compliance with
important international market access requirements.
Areas of assistance may include customs processing
and valuation, intellectual property rights (IPR), government
procurement, technical barriers to trade,
and trade in services.
• Training: USTDA provides training for foreign
decision-makers in economic sectors where there
are opportunities for the sale of U.S. equipment
and services. The training is normally focused on
technology or regulatory issues and is designed to
give project sponsors a better understanding of U.S.
experience and capabilities. Training is conducted in
the United States and/or in the host country.
• Trade and Industry Advisors: Foreign government
entities may obtain USTDA grants for trade and
industry advisors. These advisors are typically
located in ministries or municipalities where they
can help with capacity-building activities relevant to
trade regulations, standards, or the import of technology
and additional expertise.