Website ustda.gov Annual budget 60 million USD (2016) | Founded 1961 Number of employees 80 | |
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Formed 1961; 56 years ago (1961) Agency executives Enoh Ebong, Director (Acting)
Enoh Ebong, Deputy Director
Vacant, Chief of Staff Headquarters Arlington, Virginia, United States Profiles | ||
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1961 to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries. USTDA is located in Rosslyn in Arlington County, Virginia. The agency currently works in 66 countries.
Programs
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
USTDA supports efforts to mitigate global climate change by helping its partner countries develop renewable energy resources, invest in cleaner forms of traditional energy and modernize electric grids to increase efficiency, reliability and sustainability. "Smart Grid Today" recognized the Agency’s efforts to help its partner countries modernize their grids by naming it a 2013 Smart Grid Pioneer. In Fiscal Year 2015, USTDA committed over half of its energy investments to renewable power. These project preparation activities have the potential to unlock over $4.3 billion in financing and produce over 2,400 megawatts of new renewable energy. This will reduce CO2 equivalent emissions by an estimated 12 million metric tons per year compared to new traditional power generation.
USTDA has decades of experience working with its partner countries to modernize transportation infrastructure to facilitate the movement of people and goods, both within and across borders. From providing technical assistance that supports trade facilitation, to piloting U.S. technologies for customs systems at borders, to modernizing “hard” infrastructure at ports, railways and airports, the Agency introduces high-performing U.S. solutions that can increase capacity, enhance efficiency and improve safety. USTDA’s Aviation Cooperation Programs in China and India, respectively, and its Aviation Partnership in Brazil provide a platform for aviation officials to address safety and security priorities. These public-private partnerships also support the expansion of airport infrastructure and the emergence of business aviation in these markets. U.S. businesses have generated billions of dollars in exports as a result of the Agency’s investments, demonstrating the value of advanced U.S. technologies and services, including security equipment as well as communications and air traffic management systems.
USTDA has long led efforts to help its overseas partners provide services using these platforms. As their populations become larger, more interconnected and increasingly urbanized, emerging economies are focused on deploying telecom tools that support smarter, more sustainable cities. Previously, they invested in “intelligent” solutions for transportation, energy and e-citizen services. But they now realize that the key to a truly “smart” city – one with increased efficiency and engaged citizens – is integration. USTDA’s support helps emerging markets identify U.S. solutions that foster integrated, safe and efficient urban infrastructure. Since 2009, the Agency has sponsored almost 200 activities that have led to over $800 million in U.S. exports of smart solutions for cities around the world.