A June 8 report by a private consultant states that US-AEP's Environmental Technology Fund is "an impressive example of a successful partnership between various segments of the public and private sector in America, and between U.S. and foreign entities abroad." The report was commissioned by International Resources Group, the lead contractor for US-AEP�s Technical Services and Support Contract.

Tech Fund grants are awarded on an ongoing basis to small- and medium-sized U.S. environmental technology companies, most of whom are new to Asian export and need assistance in introducing their products to this market. Although the grants are small�typically less than $20,000�the evaluator asserts that the Tech Fund "is producing very impressive financial results." A 1997 summary report prepared by the Tech Fund�s administrator�the National Association of State Development Agencies�stated that since its October 1992 inception, the Tech Fund had generated almost $327 million in sales and more than 700 new U.S. jobs through 238 projects. However, interviews conducted by the consultant with Tech Fund recipients in May 1998 revealed that many of the grantees had not reported to NASDA all Tech Fund-generated sales, which often take place two years or more after the initial contact between the U.S. company and potential Asian buyer. The reviewer estimates that between October 1992 and late May 1998, the actual sales amount attributable to the 259 Tech Fund projects that had then been approved is closer to one half-billion dollars; in addition, he believes that the Tech Fund has generated close to 1,000 U.S. jobs.

During the course of the evaluation, the reviewer conducted in-depth analysis of 40 randomly selected Tech Fund projects and closely reviewed NASDA�s 1997 report. Confirming NASDA�s findings, his independent research revealed that 90 percent of Tech Fund recipients believe "the grant did �make a difference�... [recipients] indicated that they would not have had the money (and in many cases the courage) to make that first trip to Asia without a grant."

Grantees gave NASDA�s staff high marks for their responsiveness and professionalism. Likewise, US-AEP Technology Representatives in Asia received accolades from the U.S. companies, who expressed appreciation for the Tech Reps� assistance in coordinating the Americans' visits to Asia and establishing key linkages with Asian decision makers.

As reported in the June 29 edition of UPDATE, Nike, US-AEP�s Clean Technology and Environmental Management (CTEM) initiative, and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) are working together to implement a number of environmental improvement projects in Asian factories. However, Nike is not building a separate "model green factory"; rather, through the Model Green Factory Initiative, the groups are working to reduce the environmental impact of existing facilities.

A US-AEP Tech Fund grant helped two U.S. partners�Stellar Market Limited (Santa Fe, New Mexico) and International Trade and Investment Services (ITIS, Albuquerque, New Mexico)�host a recent workshop for several Sri Lankan business leaders. Held in San Diego, California, the workshop showcased the capabilities of several western U.S. environmental technology and services firms. This event is a key component of Stellar's Tech Fund-supported project to build technology transfer links with business and government agencies in Sri Lanka and India. Firms from Alaska, California, and New Mexico shared technical information with the Asian participants, addressing problems in the areas of municipal solid waste management, water and wastewater, and air pollution. The workshop also enabled attendees to share thoughts with U.S. companies on possible areas of collaboration. This workshop was the first in a series that Stellar and ITIS are planning in the next year. For more information, contact Stellar at 505-466-9715.

In June, US-AEP's Overseas Program Fund�administered by the National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA)�enabled delegations from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Taiwan to participate in two major U.S. environmental events: Waste Expo �98, held June 8-11 in Chicago, Illinois, and the Annual Conference of the Air & Waste Management Association, which took place the week of June 14 in San Diego, California.

US-AEP involvement in Waste Expo was conducted in partnership with the World Trade Center Chicago and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Environmental Technologies Export (DOC/ETE). Through this alliance, approximately 40 delegates attended conference sessions, site visits to U.S. environmental technology companies located in the area, and briefings with DOC/ETE's Deputy Assistant Secretary Anne Alonzo. In addition, US-AEP Technology Representatives Chi-Sun Lee (Korea), Alma Madrazo (Philippines), Satit Sanongphan (Thailand) and Operations Senior Associate Patrick Terrien (TSSC) participated in a DOC/ETE-organized panel entitled, "Exporting to the Best Markets: Asia."

The coordination of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA), NASDA, Ensight Technical Services, Inc., and US-AEP�in particular, the efforts of eight US-AEP Technology Representatives� enabled 61 Asian delegates to attend A&WMA�s annual meeting. There, they participated in conference events and one-on-one meetings with 29 U.S. companies. Totaling 168, these meetings were considered successful by delegates and U.S. firms alike. In addition, technical tours to local biosolids and steel and shipbuilding facilities enabled delegates to see U.S. technologies in action.