Saying "We want to influence environment for the better", US-AEP Executive Director Peter Kimm outlined his vision for blending economic growth and environmental protection in India to the Hindu Business Line of Chennai.

In an interview appearing in the December 11, 2000 edition, Mr. Kimm discussed India's need for rapid economic growth, the question of global climate change, the importance of India to environmental and energy issues in South Asia, and US-AEP's role as a "trusted advisor" to important decision makers in India and throughout Asia.

Mr. Kimm also spoke about USAID's South Asian Regional Initiative (SARI), and the effort to introduce energy efficiency and energy cooperation between India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. He stated that it was in the "common interest" of these countries to economically cooperate leading to better understanding between the South Asian nations. He also emphasized US-AEP�s role as a facilitator and intermediary, providing "technical assistance and training that would lead Indians and Bangladeshis to believe that it would make sense to do business with one another", bringing both nations together for mutual benefit and long term environmental improvement.

Mr. Kimm also discussed the problems India will face in limiting greenhouse emissions and hazardous waste management. US- AEP is building partnerships with a number of Indian institutions and organizations, and he cited the relationship with the Confederation of Indian Industries and the establishment of a Green Business Center in Hyderabad as examples of US-AEP�s work in India. He concluded by pointing to the tremendous economic progress in Asia and India over the past few years, and the need to convert the "general prosperity increase�into effective environmental policy". Mr. Kimm emphasized US-AEP�s desire to help promote a Clean Revolution, seeing a developing India as a crucial part of that revolution. For the complete text of the interview, see the Hindu Business Line, December 11, 2000 at www.hindubusinessline.com, in the 'archives' and 'opinion' section.

Dr. Micheal Pitts of Zeta Corporation, located in Arizona, visited Sri Lanka on November 23, 2000. Dr. Pitts is the developer of the innovative Zeta Rod, a patented capacitor-based technology that electronically disperses bacteria and mineral colloids in aqueous systems, eliminating biofouling without the use of additive chemicals. US-AEP/Sri Lanka organized a meeting for Dr. Pitts with a number of consultants and leading private sector firms in air conditioning, water treatment, and refrigeration, and arranged a field trip for Dr. Pitts to factories in an industrial zone. Dr. Pitts is planning to be back in Sri Lanka in February 2001 to do follow up business and deliver another seminar to a larger audience.

Mr. Hal Falls, Director of Arizona�s Trade Office in Taiwan, accompanied Dr. Pitts. US-AEP Sri Lanka assisted Mr. Falls in identifying business opportunities for Arizona firms in Sri Lanka. During his stay, Mr. Falls met with US Embassy, USAID and a group of stakeholders in shrimp cultivation in Sri Lanka. Mr. Falls discussed the experience of Thailand and Taiwan with water quality management and waste reduction in the shrimp industry, acquainted Sri Lankan firms with available U.S. technology, and presented a waste water management proposal developed by International Environmental Solutions of Arizona to the local business group. Two Sri Lankan institutions with large investments in the shrimp industry, National Aquatic Research Agency and AgroTreasury, attended the meeting, and asked IES to conduct a pilot study and develop further proposals for possible U.S. Trade Development Agency (TDA) funding. Mr. Falls also had detailed discussions with energy area stakeholders presenting proposals for bringing Arizona-developed micro turbine, and wind and solar hybrid energy technologies to Sri Lanka.

Aquatech & Environment Philippines 2000 officially opened its 3- day event to industry guests at the Philippine International Convention Center on November 27, 2000. The Aquatech U.S. Pavilion, organized by US-AEP/Philippines, showcased 22 environmental technology and service firms, including the New Jersey Trade Mission headed by Mr. Robert Young, New Jersey Office of Sustainability.

US-AEP/Philippines organized a comprehensive market briefing for the visiting U.S. firms on the first day. It included a commercial and economic overview by U.S. embassy officials (SCO George Ruffner, Economic Counselor Morton Holbrook and Tech Rep Alma Madrazo), an update on environmental laws by the country�s premier environmental lawyer, and insights on new and renewable energy opportunities by a Department of Energy official. The US- AEP Tech Rep office organized 44 one-on-one meetings between U.S. and Filipino firms, including representatives from local and multinational firms and industry associations, and key officials from government agencies. Feedback from the U.S. firms was very positive. According to the delegates, the trip connected them with strategic partners, and led to a better understanding of the business and environmental conditions in the Philippines.

The Tech Rep office also sponsored and organized two technology presentations. These presentations, attended by more than 300 industry representatives from private and government agencies, focused on the different technologies offered by the participating U.S. companies. In addition, staff at the US-AEP booth attended to trade lead inquiries, disseminated information materials, and provided prospective clients with information on the services offered by the Tech Rep office.

Twenty Five years ago, the Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) created guidelines for national governments to help them promote responsible business behavior. The OECD recently revised these guidelines and held a conference on December 8 to showcase and evaluate them. Designed to apply to all of the signatory nations� firms �not just multinationals� the guidelines recommend a set of voluntary standards regarding environmental protection, labor relations and human rights. Unlike other voluntary codes of conduct, this document specifically identifies a role for national governments�that of information dissemination and mediation.

Supporters included Undersecretary of State Alan Larson, who explained, "overseas, we want other countries to treat our companies in a fair and non-discriminatory way. They in turn [however] will expect our companies to be good corporate citizens. The OECD guidelines can make a great contribution toward that goal." Susan Rochford of Honeywell agreed that such guidelines could play a valuable role, saying "the opportunity for U.S.-based multinational corporations is enormous, as they can influence how people live, work, and treat each other around the world."

The keynote speaker, William Greider, Washington Editor of The Nation, cautioned participants that those behaviors and unfortunate situations that corporate codes of conduct seek to address are extremely difficult to change. He urged public and private officials to continue their efforts, however, as "the things that matter most do not change rapidly."

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is seeking applications from businesses and groups interested in accompanying a trade mission to India February 15-19, 2001. The mission is in conjunction with the SEI-supported California/India Greening of the Supply Chain project. The mission will participate in a CII trade and technology transfer event, and will open access to a wide range of Indian industries interested in clean technology and energy efficiency. For more information and registration forms, go to the CSG website at www.sei-asia.org/projects/1999/ca_india/events.

The Council of State Governments (CSG), in partnership with US- AEP, is pleased to announce the 2001 Call for Proposals for the State Environmental Initiative (SEI) grant program. SEI provides funding to states for support of international, public-private partnerships that facilitate economic development and environmental protection in Asia. SEI has awarded over $5 million to projects in 23 states since 1995, with the largest grant of $150,000. Countries currently eligible for proposals are India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. For more information, or to request the CFP, see the CSG website at www.sei-asia.org, or Karen Marshall at kmarshall@csg.org  or 859- 244-8234

The Policy Forum will begin a Winter/Spring session on January 9, 2001 with Mr. Murray Hiebert, Washington Bureau Chief of the Far Eastern Economic Review, discussing "The New US President�What this means for Asia". Topics will include new policy directions, and the views Asian leaders will have of the new administration. 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.

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