Project Pursuits

Project Pursuits

Identifying and marketing potential global projects often requires a substantial investment, When strong relationships with the potential client exist, the natural flow of information provides ample lead time to prepare and win projects for which one is well-suited. When such relationships are weak or missing, identifying and winning projects can be extremely difficult.

Relationships with other businesses may lead to project teaming opportunities. A specialist can be a welcome addition to a team, and an expert service provider can help a non-competing business partner strengthen its position with existing and potential overseas clientele. The importance of business partners cannot be overstated.

Department of Commerce U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion unit of the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce. U.S. Commercial Service trade specialists in 107 U.S. cities and in more than 80 countries work with companies to help them get started in exporting or increasing sales to global markets. Their services include:

• World-class market research
• Trade events that promote your product or service to qualified buyers
• Introductions to qualified buyers and distributors
• Counseling and advocacy through every step of the export process

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent foreign assistance agency pursuant to Section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 USC 2421).  The agency delivers its program commitments through overseas grants, contracts with U.S. firms, and the use of trust funds at several multilateral development bank groups.

Since the agency’s inception in 1981, it has been associated with more than $31.5 billion in U.S. exports — or approximately $35 in exports for every dollar invested in USTDA activities.  In Fiscal Year 2008, USTDA obligated over $46 million in support of the development goals of project sponsors in 54 host counties around the world.  The preceding year, USTDA funded 67 technical assistance activities, 41 feasibility studies, and 24 orientation visits.  The average size of a USTDA grant is $400,000.

While the agency’s activities span a wide variety of sectors, many focus on transportation, energy and power, water and the environment, health care, mining and natural resources, telecommunications, and information technology.

The USTDA works closely with other Federal agencies, including the U.S. Trade Representative [1]; the Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Transportation; the Millennium Challenge Corporation; the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to advance U.S. commercial interests and host country development objectives.