ALASKA, March 9, 1999 � The State of Alaska�s Division of Trade and Development will lead an environmental services mission to Korea March 28-April 1, 1999. The mission will focus on the potential export of Alaska�s expertise in environmental products, technologies and services.

"We�ve been awarded a $20,000 matching grant from the United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) to help companies with expenses of this mission," said Greg Wolf, division director. "Although the private sector pays its own way in all our missions, we welcome help from the US-AEP � to assist Alaska companies as they assess the international marketplace first-hand."

The US-AEP launched the Environmental Technology Fund in 1992 with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Administered by the National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA) in Washington, DC, the fund provides matching grants of up to $20,000 to generate business relationships that foster Asian and American economic development. In the five years of its operation, it has funded more than 275 projects that have facilitated over $350 million in export sales.

Deborah B. Sedwick, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, sees marketing Alaska as one of the most important parts of her job, and she is eager to expand the state�s product line. "Alaska�s natural resources are our most important exports, but we also encourage �new economy� products and services. Alaska�s environmental technologies and services are part of that new economy," said Sedwick. "The environmental sector is highly diverse, highly marketable, and the ultimate in value-added.

"These are the technologies and services Korea is looking for," said Nancy Babcock, trade specialist and mission organizer. "The Korean government expects to invest billions of dollars between now and 2005 to clean up its environment, and these Alaska companies will be in the right place to help themselves and grow Alaska�s economy, as they help our Korean neighbors reduce and eliminate pollution."

"A mission like this shows the real teamwork that is possible between the private sector and state government," said Ronald G. Arvin of RA Environmental, Inc. "The state helps open the doors, and we get to learn first-hand what the market wants and meet with potential customers. Exporting to Korea is a long-term project, and I am looking forward to it."