More than 750 Asian buyers and U.S. companies participated in US-AEP activities at the Water Environment Federation WEFTEC 2000 Conference held in Anaheim, California from October 14 �18. US-AEP offered one-on-one meetings, facilitated by US-AEP Technology Representatives, between U.S. companies and Asian buyers, and Tech Reps delivered presentations on the environmental market opportunities for their respective countries. In addition, the US-AEP trade booth and outreach efforts acquainted U.S. firms with programs and resources designed to help them succeed in the Asian environmental market.

The US-AEP Overseas Program Fund (OPF) and Environmental Exchange Program (EEP) enabled 162 Asian buyers to meet with U.S. companies and tour facilities to learn about the latest wastewater treatment technologies and services. James Warner, Sales Manager for Seychelle Environmental Technologies Inc. in Temecula, California took advantage of the one-on-one meetings with US-AEP Asian delegates and US-AEP Tech Reps. As a result, Mr. Warner plans to travel to Sri Lanka next month to seal a business deal. Commenting on the effectiveness of US-AEP programs, Mr. Warner said, "Small to medium size businesses would have a difficult time doing business internationally without the support of government programs�I am glad to pay my taxes." Overall, more than 650 meetings took place that could lead to potential success stories and sales, and reflect the strengthened partnership between WEF and US-AEP.

[The Overseas Program Fund is administered by the National Association for State Development Agency. The Environmental Exchange Program is administered by the Institute for International Education.]

Congratulations go to Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando, Philippines, who was presented with the HABITAT Scroll of Honor by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements. A close associate of US-AEP, Mayor Ortega was honored -- in the words of the United Nations -- for having "conferred benefit on humanity by making a difference to our living environment." She was particularly cited for her advocacy of the "empowerment of women" and for "drawing support to her cities sustainable development strategy."

Officials from the donor community, NGOs, and Southeast Asian governments gathered in Thailand on October 3 to discuss the World Bank�s new environmental strategy. Dennis Zvinakis, US-AEP�s Regional Representative, and Somporn Kamolsiripichaiporn, of the Environmental Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University � a key US-AEP partner in Thailand � participated in the forum. The World Bank forum is part of a series to be held across Asia. US-AEP�s participation is an indication of a growing partnership between the World Bank and US-AEP to improve the Asian environment.

The ACEC Solid Waste Management Study Tour, organized with US-AEP support in 1998, continues to generate successes. One firm on the tour, Pennoni International of Pennsylvania, won a $413,975 contract to design and supervise construction of a landfill project for Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Another firm, Burgess and Niple of Columbus OH, contracted with Dizon Mines of the Philippines to design their application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate and prepare bid documents for participation in solid waste management projects in the Philippines. Other participants, such as Mayor Mary Jane Ortega are establishing model facilities and programs in San Fernando and Carmona.

The 2nd International Global Reporting Initiative Symposium will convene in Washington DC from November 13 to 15, 2000. Founded in 1997 by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), GRI is committed to the creation of a common framework for economic, environmental, and social reporting by corporations worldwide. Under the title Leveraging Investment, Corporate Accountability, and Disclosure to Advance Sustainability, the symposium brings together leading individuals to discuss strengthening accountability while encouraging innovation, entrepeneurship, and corporate leadership in advancing sustainable development. A special public forum on "Corporate Accountability in the Post-Seattle World" will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 13th, at Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, 21st and H Streets, NW, Washington DC. For more information, contact Brenda Bateman at (202) 835-0333, ext. 104 or <bbateman@usaep.org

The "Intensive Livestock Production and Environment in the Humid Tropics" seminar will be held in Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia on November 9 and 10. A training session on Livestock Waste Management will follow on November 11 to 13, with visits to livestock farms on Penang Island. The seminar is a cooperative effort of US-AEP, CSG, and the Environmental Center for Livestock Waste Management in Taiwan. For more information contact the Council of State Governments, at 606-244-8234, or visit the CSG website at www.statesnews.org.

Policy Forum Update

The next Washington Policy Forum meeting will be November 7, with a presentation from Dr. Julie Fox Gorte, Environment and Technology Analyst with The Calvert Group. Dr. Gorte will discuss "How One Socially Responsible Investment Fund Firm Evaluates High Tech Companies". Dr. Gorte has experience evaluating the biotechnology field, which presents a host of problems for a socially responsible investment firm. The meeting will be in the US-AEP Office at 1720 Eye Street, NW, Suite 700, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Brenda Bateman at (202) 835-0333, ext. 104 or bbateman@usaep.org. 

Request for Inquiries

Ms. Pamela Davison of the World Trade Council of North Carolina would like any companies in North Carolina who want to be alerted to US-AEP activities, to contact the Raleigh office of USEAC at debbie.strader@mail.doc.gov  or wtcnc@wtcnc.org.

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