The tour will foster linkages among U.S. industrial environmental extension organizations and their Asian counterparts to address the financial sustainability, work force development, energy efficiency and global climate change issues facing Asian industry today. The June 23 visit will include presentations and information sharing on successful outreach activities to industry delivered by MTI, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP), and Materials Productivity, LLC.

Minnesota Technology, Inc. is a public nonprofit corporation established to assist Minnesota companies become more competitive through the application and development of technology. As part of the state�s strategy to strengthen the economy, Minnesota Technology, Inc. has served over 4000 Minnesota manufacturers since 1992 with a documented impact of over $420 million to the state�s economy.

The University of Minnesota�s Industrial and Community Assistance Center links the technical needs of industry with the many resources available at the university. The center�s focus is improving the competitiveness of Minnesota-based companies through a wide range of research performed by the university.

The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) tailors technical assistance to unique business needs. They assist Minnesota-based enterprises reduce their amount of waste generation and find alternatives to using hazardous materials.

Materials Productivity, LLC is a St. Paul-based consulting firm that specializes in improving the use of materials so that environmental improvement is a natural outcome of business improvement. Materials Productivity, LLC serves manufacturers, industrial assistance networks, government agencies and other organizations involved in resource efficiency and pollution prevention.

The United States�Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP), which is a public-private program interagency program led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is sponsoring the trip. US-AEP, launched as a presidential initiative in 1992, promotes environmentally sound economic growth in Asia by mobilizing American technologies, services and experience. Its goal is to promote a "clean revolution" in Asia�the development and adoption of less-polluting and more-resource-efficient products, processes and services in the Asian region.