Programs and personnel expand to help U.S. firms in Russia and NIS - Newly Independent States

Business America, July 26, 1993 by Yianna Christophorou

The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) is currently expanding its network in Russia and the Newly Independent States (NIS). Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown recently swore in several Commercial Officers going to the NIS. Four officers will be located at existing US&FCS offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev, while three officers will open new US&FCS offices in Almaty, Tashkent, and Vladivostok.

The US&FCS expansion of personnel and locations in the NIS is a major part of a comprehensive effort to increase trade promotion and market development in the region. A new, innovative initiative complementing the expansion of US&FCS will be the establishment of 12 American Business Centers to provide business services to U.S. companies exporting or investing in Russia and the NIS.

The Centers will provide U.S. firms with short-term office and exhibition space, market research and counseling, interpretation and translation services, telecommunications and computer equipment, and secretarial services. The Centers will also provide outreach activities to help American companies cultivate close contacts with local NIS firms.

"The goal of this program is to enhance the competitive position of U.S. firms in Russia and the NIS, and at the same time, contribute to the modernization of these emerging market economies through expanded U.S. exports and investment," said Commerce Secretary Brown.

Five of the Centers will be co-located with the US&FCS offices in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Kiev, Tashkent, and Almaty. The remaining Centers will be established and operated by private sector entities through cooperative agreements with the Commerce Department.

The Commerce Department announced in the July 9 Federal Register notice the request for proposals for the cooperative agreements. Eligible applicants invited to submit proposals include non-profit organizations, for-profit firms, non-federal government agencies, industry and trade associations, and educational institutions.

Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development through Title III, Section 301 of the FREEDOM Support Act of 1992. The total amount of award funds available is $2 million for fiscal year 1993, and an anticipated $5 million for fiscal year 1994. Applicants will be asked to share the cost of setting up and managing the Centers. Since the award expenditure period will not exceed three years, the program's intent is to have the Centers become financially self-sustaining.

For more information on the American Business Center Program and the application process, see the Federal Register notice published on July 9, page 36,941. Requests for an application kit can be made in writing to: Russia/NIS Program Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 1235, Washington, D.C. 20230, fax (202) 482-2456.

The deadline for the application is Aug. 23.