US-AEP, partnered with the U.S. Department of  Commerce, the National Association of State Development  Agencies (NASDA), the Institute of International Education  (IIE), and other public-private organizations to sponsor  more than 100 delegates from nine Asian countries to  attend the 74th Water Environment Federation Conference  in Atlanta, Georgia, October 14 to 17.  

The delegation, representing Hong Kong, India, Korea,  Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand  and Vietnam, met with U.S. environmental firms that offer  innovative water technology and services to address the  water and wastewater situation in Asia.  At WEFTEC,  delegates were exposed to the latest and best products  for managing water systems, wastewater, clean water  systems, software and hardware.  

US-AEP arranged one-on-one meetings between U.S.  companies, the delegates, and US-AEP�s in-country market  experts.  More than 80 U.S. firms scheduled meetings  prior to the conference, and many more impromptu  meetings took place at the trade show.  

US-AEP�s participation at WEFTEC since 1996 has helped  to facilitate close to $200 million in technology transfer  deals from the U.S. to Asia in the form of contracts, joint- ventures, and other opportunities for increased technology  cooperation. 

Asia offers an important market opportunity for U.S. firms.   The water and wastewater market for Asia is projected  at $34 billion this year and growing.  Rising awareness of  the need to conserve water resources in Asia also makes  the market very attractive for U.S. suppliers.  US-AEP has  helped U.S. firms find opportunities for international  technology transfer, technology cooperation, and  partnerships to address Asia�s water and wastewater  issues.

On October 22, Yayasan Tirta Dharma, the training arm of  the Indonesian Water Supply Association, began a three- week certificate training program in Jakarta to upgrade  the management capabilities of 20 mid-level managers  from municipal water enterprises throughout Indonesia.   The water enterprises paid the full cost of tuition, travel,  and lodging expenses.  Training modules and certification  through the Ministry of Manpower were prepared with  assistance from US-AEP�s WEFT (Water Enterprise  Functional Training) grant with a training specialist and  trainers provided by USAID�s Local Government Water  Services Project.  

As Indonesia�s first national certified functional training for  specific water enterprise positions, this program is an  essential step toward instilling professionalism in local  government public service utilities.  Counterpart  contribution to WEFT from the water enterprises has paid  for certificate training of 47 senior water enterprise  managers in 2001. 

Efficiency teams visited 12 new water enterprises in the  provinces to provide recommendations for financial  recovery after a delay caused by October�s travel ban.  In  addition to training and recommendations, a new US-AEP  supported TOMCAT (Treatment Operators/Managers  Certification and Training) project began on November 1.

In September 2001, a high-level delegation of business  leaders and politicians from Taiwan came to the United  States to participate in the US-Taiwan Biotechnology  Initiative.  The event�s objective was to increase  awareness and opportunities for U.S. and Taiwanese  business interests in biotechnology.  Activities included  attending the Philadelphia Biotechnology Summit and the  Mid-Atlantic Investment and Trade Tour. 

During the Philadelphia Summit, seminars and discussions  on topics such as financing, IT transfer, partnerships and  regulatory issues were filmed and will be webcast soon on  the Department of Commerce website.  The website will  highlight key environmental and developmental issues  such as the treatment of industrial wastes and  biotechnological solutions.  The joint webcast production  costs and the one-year web hosting fees were covered by  the US-AEP/NASDA Overseas Program Fund.