WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 1999 � Videoconferencing is the newest tool used by the United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) program to match Asian environmental needs with appropriate American solutions.

On March 16, 10 U.S. environmental companies gathered in Washington, D.C., for a videoconference with government officials and others in Manila. The event was organized by US-AEP�s Office of Technology Cooperation in Manila and supported by US-AEP�s Overseas Program Fund, administered by the National Association of State Development Agencies.

Launched as a presidential initiative in 1992, US-AEP is a public-private, interagency program, led by the United States Agency for International Development, designed to promote environmentally sound economic growth in Asia, with the assistance of U.S. technology, services and experience. The program works in 11 priority Asian economies, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and � starting this year � Vietnam.

The videoconference targeted opportunities arising from the Metro Manila Air Quality Improvement Sector Development Program, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Participating ADB representatives and Philippine government officials described project needs and requirements for prospective American participants.

Selected by US-AEP�s Environmental Technology Network for Asia (ETNA), the U.S. company representatives expressed enthusiasm for the event. "This the first time we have done this," said Mr. Paul Buellesback, senior chemical engineer for Eastern Research Group of Morrisville, North Carolina. "It was helpful to get everyone in one room to discuss the possibilities of working on this project." According to Mr. Mirza Beg, environmental scientist for International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. of Vienna, Virginia, the videoconference was "a step in the right direction toward understanding the opportunities available to us." US-AEP is exploring the possibility of holding additional videoconferences in the future.

A March 15 teleconference similarly promoted U.S. business opportunities resulting from the Metro Manila air quality program. Sponsored by the California Environmental Partnership -- a state/federal partnership that comprises the California Environmental Protection Agency, California Trade and Commerce Agency, and US-AEP -- this event linked the Filipino ADB and government officials with representatives of ten West Coast U.S. firms.