Link: http://www.usda.gov/2006/07/0261.xml Release No. 0261.06 Contact: Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 Harold Kanarek (202) 720-0328 USDA Awards $10 Million Under Emerging Markets Program WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that 76 agricultural trade promotion projects will receive a total of nearly $10 million in funding from the 2006 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). "The effort to develop markets for U.S. agricultural products across the world, where the middle class is growing, is essential to expanding economic opportunities for our farmers and ranchers," said Johanns. "Through these projects, U.S. agricultural products will reach new consumers and markets will likely be expanded." This year's recipients include trade groups, nonprofit organizations, universities and federal agencies. Projects will be conducted in Asia, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Russia, Eastern and Central Europe, and Africa. The program supports generic promotion and distribution of U.S. agricultural products, trade missions, and research on new markets. It also sponsors activities that encourage free trade policies, and enhance the effectiveness of the food and agribusiness systems of emerging markets. All applications undergo a competitive review process. Qualification requirements include cost sharing and justification for federal funding. Other review factors include the quality of the proposal, likely success of intended approach in target markets, knowledge of the market and similar activities in the region. The grants announced today come on the eve of a trade and investment mission to Kazakhstan that Johanns will lead next week with the goal of promoting two-way trade and investment between the United States and Kazakhstan. Eighteen U.S. companies and associations will participate to advance their interest in selling and buying agricultural products from Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, and in identifying investment partners and opportunities. Additional information on the EMP is available on the Foreign Agricultural Service Web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.html, or by calling (202) 720-4327. A list of projects approved for funding in fiscal year 2006 is attached. USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to mailto:webservices@xxxxxxxx?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE and reference your email address.
