Ustda
Business Investment in Johannesburg

The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, training, early investment analysis, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. PRINT The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development 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. USTDA’s sector teams have cultivated in-house technical expertise in key industries, helping the Agency analyze global demand and identify sectors that represent the greatest opportunity for growth in U.S. exports. As a result, USTDA targets its programming in the energy, transportation and telecommunications sectors, where U.S. firms are most competitive and where the Agency’s assistance can help its partner countries develop the infrastructure needed for trade. USTDA supports efforts to expand energy generation by helping its partner countries develop renewable energy resources, invest in cleaner forms of traditional energy and modernize electric grids to increase efficiency, reliability and sustainability. USTDA has decades of experience working with its partner countries to modernize transportation infrastructure to facilitate the movement of people and goods, both within and across borders. USTDA’s Aviation Cooperation Programs in China and India, respectively, and its Aviation Partnership in Brazil provide a platform for aviation officials to address safety and security priorities. These public-private partnerships also support the expansion of airport infrastructure and the emergence of business aviation in these markets. U.S. businesses have generated billions of dollars in exports as a result of the Agency’s investments, demonstrating the value of advanced U.S. technologies and services, including security equipment as well as communications and air traffic management systems. It allows the Agency to increase market penetration and target its funding in areas where U.S. companies are most competitive. In FY 2017, USTDA is prioritizing 21 markets that offer solid potential for success, including growth opportunities for U.S. exports and strong developmental benefits for overseas partners. The majority of these markets fall within the world’s fastest-growing regions. USTDA accomplishes its mission by providing grants to overseas sponsors for priority infrastructure projects in their countries. USTDA also connects project sponsors with U.S. businesses through its reverse trade missions, which bring overseas decision-makers to the United States to introduce them to the design, manufacture and operation of U.S. goods and services in advance of their procurement decisions. Their priority to the project sponsor and the countries where they are located and their likelihood of receiving implementation financing; and. Whether they offer mutual economic benefit for the host country and the United States, including opportunities for U.S. firms to export goods and services into those projects. USTDA also considers a project’s potential adverse environmental and labor implications and makes recommendations to avoid and/or mitigate either prior to a funding commitment by the Agency. USTDA has increased its support for programs designed to bring procurement officials to the United States to witness U.S. technology and ingenuity firsthand and develop the relationships with U.S. companies necessary to spur increased exports to emerging economies. By increasing investments in reverse trade missions, technology demonstrations, training and specialized sector-specific workshops and conferences, USTDA is helping U.S. industry create high-paying export related jobs. The Making Global Local program is the centerpiece of the Agency’s domestic outreach strategy. Designed to support U.S. jobs by increasing the number of U.S. businesses that benefit from USTDA’s export promotion programs, Making Global Local enables the Agency to connect with companies of all sizes across the country. USTDA has established partnerships with over 100 state and local trade promotion organizations in 33 states.