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May 7, 2003
U.S. Agency Sponsors Romanian Visit to Study U.S. Energy Utilities
The
U.S. Trade and Development Agency will sponsor an Orientation
Visit to the United States for the Romanian Minister of Industry
and Resources, Dan Ioan Popescu, and 12 delegates representing
Romanian public and private sector energy organizations.
The
visit is designed to demonstrate the benefits of U.S. technology
in industry and will emphasize approaches to upgrade and improve
Romania's infrastructure, including its utilities. Another focus
of the delegation's itinerary will be on visits to U.S. energy
companies in the oil and gas industry, as well as power transmission
and distribution facilities, where the Romanian officials can
view U.S. technology in operation.
The
visit is scheduled for May 31-June 7, and will include meetings
and site visits in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Houston,
Texas.
Romanian
Minister of Industry and Resources to Lead Delegation of Energy
Officials on U.S. Visit
For
Immediate Release
ARLINGTON,
VIRGINIA. - (May 6, 2003) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency
(USTDA) will sponsor an Orientation Visit (OV) to the United States
for the Romanian Minister of Industry and Resources, the Honorable
Dan Ioan Popescu, and 12 delegates representing Romanian public
and private sector energy organizations. The trip is scheduled
for May 31 through June 7, 2003, and will include meetings and
site visits in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Houston, Texas.
As
Romania prepares to enter the European Union, there is an increased
emphasis on upgrading and improving the country's infrastructure,
including its utilities. Initial estimates for revamping existing
electrical facilities, including production, generation and transmission,
amount to $12-15 billion over the next ten years. The projects
associated with these upgrades represent significant export opportunities
for U.S. firms. In 2002, the estimated export value of U.S. energy
equipment to Romania was $100 million. Projections show that figure
will increase during 2003 and 2004.
The
USTDA-sponsored OV is designed to demonstrate the benefits of
U.S. technology that Romanian project sponsors can utilize to
achieve their energy objectives. Several representatives from
the top Romanian energy companies, including senior level executives
from Petrom, Romania's National Oil Company, will accompany Minister
Popescu on the visit. Major topics to be addressed include the
upcoming privatization of Petrom and other rehabilitation projects
in the energy sector to be undertaken in the next five years.
A focus of the delegation's itinerary will be on visits to U.S.
energy companies in the oil and gas industry, as well as power
transmission and distribution facilities, where the Romanian officials
can view U.S. technology in operation.
In
addition to the scheduled meetings and site visits, the delegation
will participate in two U.S. business briefings hosted by USTDA.
These briefings will highlight a number of specific upcoming project
opportunities that will be developed in the Romanian energy sector
over the next several years.
The
first U.S. business briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, June
4, 2003 in the Business Center at USTDA headquarters located at
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1500, Arlington, Virginia 22209.
The second business briefing will be held Friday, June 6, 2003
at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas
77002. U.S. companies interested in participating in the business
briefings should contact Ms. Melanie Majors at Beta Corporation
International at (505) 822-1968 or via e-mail at mmajors@betaci.com
The
U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development
and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income
countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance,
feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business
workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure
and a fair and open trading environment.
USTDA's
strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment
policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling
environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic
sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
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