 Good morning all you hearty souls Welcome to CSIS Sorry about the weather, but we we can control Only a few things and and weather is certainly not one of them. I'm Ernie Bauer I'm the chair for the Sumitra chair for Southeast Asian studies and It's my pleasure to introduce this morning session. I'd like to thank my colleague Dan Rondie who leads our project for Prosperity and development for inviting me to To have the honor to open the open the session this morning And that I really wanted to do that because as a guy who focuses on Asia and Generally and Southeast Asia particularly I Have a very special and strong feeling in my heart for the work that Lee Zack and the US trade and development agency do I've worked with them for the last 27 years in in different wearing different hats including as the as the president of the US Ozzie and business council a business owner and and as a strategic thinker on how the Americans Engage Asia and TDA is at the top of my list for agencies that deliver return on investment Not many agencies can say that for every dollar that they spend $73 in US exports were generated. In fact, I can't think of any other agency that can say that And over the years According to their numbers, they've generated Total of over 45 billion dollars in US exports and this is for an agency that is not large It is it is a lean mean export promoting machine so Let me let me quickly introduce Lee Zack and and Dan Lee is perfectly Was the perfect candidate for this position. She was Appointed by President Obama as the director of the US trade and development agency in 2009 Her background was was perfect for it. She was a lawyer Practicing in in Washington and Boston in the areas of corporate municipal and international finance and then she's also a was a professor at Boston University School of Law and Georgetown University Law Center So I was happy to see that she's not from Denver so that she's has no scars today You know and not not too low and also not not from Seattle So she's not you know, she's actually here cuz she might but she might be still partying if she was from Seattle, but She's in very capable hands. You'll have a great chat with with Dan and Lee Zack this morning and Dan I'd like to thank you again for the opportunity and hand it over to you. Thanks a lot Ernie It's really great to have my friend Lee Zack with us today and really appreciate Ernie helping us out as well I think TDA in in many ways is the tip of the spear for American soft power for American Trade and investment. It's a big part of our future as we engage with middle-income countries And how many developing countries are get are moving up the curve and are getting wealthier and so the sort of chicken or beef Traditional foreign aid of a little bit of tuberculosis medicine here or some food aid there And I don't mean to be overly flippant, but I think you get the idea I think is not going to be the sort of things on the menu that we're going to be offering up to countries like Burma or Vietnam in the near future Indonesia Or Panama or the Dominican Republic the kind of assistance the kind of trade and investment They want the kind of advice they want the kind of connectivity They want are the sorts of things that TDA serves up and as Ernie cited There's a humongous leverage from the monies that TDA Brings to brings to the United States or catalyzes investment for the United States. It's in the American interest It's also in the private sector since it's a developing countries interest And that's why I think Lee is welcome so Often wherever she goes and is greeted and has such constructive relationships I will just make one further point then we'll we'll turn the conversation over to Lee and we'll have a discussion, but One I think Congress is voting with its feet. I think everyone knows this is a very difficult fiscal environment But the fact that TDA had just has just seen a 19% increase and I use the word increase so you know if you're not paying attention You've heard this a 19% increase in its appropriations in the last 12 months I think it speaks volumes about the leadership of TDA But I also think it speaks volumes about how the US Congress is waking up to the fact that this is an important Instrument in our arsenal of instruments that we have and engaging in a kind of ever more complex globalized world So Lee it's great to have you. Thanks for being here. Thank you very much. It's my pleasure It's been I guess a couple years since you last were here and and there have been several things that have happened Since we last had a conversation One of which is a an increased I think emphasis on Asia You've also started a new initiative on global procurement And also I just suspect there's just been a variety of other things that haven't hit my radar screen But I also I think are That I've also happened at TDA under your leadership Tell us what's new at TDA and talk a little bit about about some of those things. I've just mentioned Well, thanks very much, and I'm delighted to be here and frankly I think I should stop right here because you and Ernie did such a fantastic job of describing the agency But I do appreciate the opportunity to talk about what's new and clearly US TDA has had a long history of working and developing and middle-income countries and working with US businesses and I think as everyone knows here our Mission is to focus on linking US businesses with development opportunities in emerging markets So as a result we focused both abroad and in the United States And one of the things we've done within the past two years is to develop a goal and making global local initiative What this does is it gives us the opportunity to link US local and state Organizations focused on trade and economic development abroad with opportunities abroad as well US TDA has a long history of leveraging opportunities and we think it's really important for the US government to be Focusing and working with local governments as well We're proud to announce and I think you saw our annual report as you came in We have 34 making global local partners since that time and there's our annual report And as a result we not only work closely with them to provide Opportunities for large businesses, but this allows us also to reach out to small businesses as well through these opportunities So that's just one of the things we've been doing The other thing I think everyone is very excited and has heard about power Africa and US TDA was on the trip with President Obama during the announcement of power Africa Where we're focusing on doubling access to energy in Africa There US TDA is working very closely with our US government partners in Africa But also the really important part about this is that we are Leveraging the capital of others as well, and that's really a hallmark with respect to US TDA With respect to Africa, it's focusing with respect to the international development banks The multilateral development banks the private sector But the other thing we're doing is we're working with the development banks in country and what we heard And I think it's a little bit of what Dan mentioned. Where are we going with foreign assistance today? What we heard as we were traveling throughout Africa with the president is that there's a focus on trade and investment Versus aid That people want to be given the tools to be able to develop their economies develop their infrastructure and to be able to partner in that process and That's what US TDA has been doing with respect to power Africa And I'm very pleased to be partnering with our partners OPIC and EXIM Bank In our office US TDA has had an office in South Africa And they're joining us in that office for a clean energy development finance center and The third thing that I'd love to talk a little more about in detail, but I want to give Dan some opportunity to ask questions It's supposed to be a conversation and you as well to ask questions is the fact that we developed a global procurement initiative And I have to say that if you haven't seen and I'm going to do a plug for Dan since he did a plug for us The paper a new development agenda I have to say that I have to thank Dan and Scott I mean, this is really right on point with respect to what is needed with respect to economic development And one of the things that we've discovered in talking both with our host country partners as well as US companies is that there's a real need to focus on procurement but procurement for best value how it is that One can achieve acquiring goods and services by looking at the value over time and US TDA has had a tradition over the past couple of years and including that in some of our tools and we can talk more about those later But we now have developed a special initiative Focusing on best value Helping host countries get what they need and we think this is going to level the playing field for US businesses And as a result, they're going to discover that US businesses are some of their best partners So we have many things that we've been doing we have a vast toolbox, but those are three of the highlights Since last time we talked so let's talk about the the procurement one first just because I it is it's not necessarily the most sexy topic in the world I think it's But I think if if I recall correctly it's something 15% of the GNP of Governments or sorry flow through official procurement decisions of purchasing's of goods and services But it's traditionally been a Function that's either been sort of very clerical or very much you put your your your Nephew or a niece who's not all that competent or being not totally fair But there's a little bit of a bias or a sudden and I think about in the US government It's not it's been underappreciated and underloved Though I think that's improved in the last way you're starting with the Clinton administration Frankly where there was sort of a push to try to improve the quality in this country of procurement buying decisions And I obviously I think it mimics the private sector How did this come about how did this global procurement initiative come about and how does TDA help with this because I agree with you Obviously we've rewritten about it This is a big part of the development future It came about Because US today has a tradition of listening to its partners One of the things we were hearing from our partners abroad in particular and Africa and Asia is That they felt like with respect to infrastructure. They did not get a good bargain that they did Procurements in the past they built infrastructure and that infrastructure is not what they anticipated and They made those procurements based upon low cost At the same time we were hearing from US businesses That they're not winning these procurements because of the fact that the procurements are based solely on low cost and The recognition if people took into account Not only the cost But the maintenance cost in the future how long a product is going to last Then what they would really realize is the investment that they're making at the beginning is the better investment So a couple of years ago listening to both of those we included in our feasibility studies Which is one of our tools and our technical assistance How to produce a formula with respect to low cost so giving those tools to those procurement officers but what we also realized is the fact that there really does need to be training of those procurement officers and We have the support not only from US business But we are partnering with an academic institution Gw law school, which I have a premier Institute with respect to procurement and All of the multilateral development banks have agreed to be collaborators with us So it may not seem sexy But it is really important and it actually is the area that is getting Tremendous attention and as a matter of fact US TDA is a member of the president's export council Which includes private sector congressional representatives, etc The president's export council put forward a letter to President Obama Asking for support of this particular initiative because that's how important it is to them So to paraphrase Vice President Biden, this is a very big deal. This is a big deal So you talk about within this this procurement initiative obviously you I do think a lot of the multilateral Development banks get this or they come across because they're working with governments and they understand Are you working with any US government agencies, or are you getting and are you getting additional? Push or support from either chambers of commerce or talk a little bit about it both the US government side Is there MCC or others or and then talk a little bit about? Associations that that are supportive of this in addition to the president's export council Well, it's interesting. I think some of the people who have been most supportive of this actually Include host country representatives We met with the ASEAN ambassadors and this is also one of the places where this came up in the real need So clearly from that community, it's highly supported with respect to the US business community Everywhere that we have gone and we've talked about this We've received support from the US business community as well So it clearly is an area where there are great opportunities for partnership and as a matter of fact We're going to be conducting a training in Botswana Which will include the private sector as well as our academic institutions as well as the public sector And we have spoken with MCC about some aspects of what they're doing But I think this is one particular niche that US TDA was made to fill Because it really focuses Particularly on the area that will level the playing field for US business and create those partnerships that were known for Yeah, I could see some of the donor bilateral donor agencies that have funded EITI the extractive industry Transparency and issue of being interested in something like this as well I could see that as being a topic to pursue with in addition to Developing countries Saying this is of interest. I could see DFID or NORAD wanting to partner with you guys on that So we'll have to talk about that and I look forward to it So but I think this is very extremely promising and just the thing to take away from this conversation is is Trillions and trillions and trillions of dollars of business opportunities as well as GNP flows through the decision-makers hands Government decision-makers hands and developing country procurement officers when they make decisions about who gets who's awarded the contract for a Road or even for some of the energy some of the energy decisions as well I think also this also comes up in terms of negotiating energy agreements as well No, absolutely, and I think you know This is really one of the areas where we're getting incredibly positive feedback from the people who are going through the training Through the host country as well as US businesses. It really has been sort of a tremendous initiative That's received a lot of support and partnership But tell me about when I talked to you several years ago You had sort of a universe of about 18 countries that were on your radar as opposed to tell me who's dropped off that radar Tell me who you've put on that radar. Who's who are some perennials? But talk about the three or four or five countries that have come on your radar screaming in the last couple years because I Suspect they'll be surprises for people in this audience. Well, it's interesting and I think that's the great thing about USTDA as Dan had mentioned. I mean, it's a very nimble agency But it's also one that's extremely strategic and as you indicated what we do is we look at where we should provide our Funding on a priority basis if there are US businesses that have you know particular projects and other places We're more than willing to entertain those as well, but where can we get our most bang for our buck? By partnering and you're right There are a couple things that have come on Burma is one of those places that USTDA is one of the first agencies that is able to Was able to open up in Burma Clearly there are opportunities for US businesses and it's a perfect market for USTDA because as many of you know what we do is the early project planning and we provide feasibility studies Technical assistance capacity building and that's exactly what needs to be done right now with respect to Burma It's an open market and it's a great market for US business to be able to Partner in so we are in the process. We just opened up in Burma There are other places as well that you know some of the countries roll off some roll-on Panama is another country That is become a priority country Recently and I think we see great opportunities there not only with respect to the canal But also what's going on with respect to the development as well The Dominican Republic's on that list and Dominican Republic is on that list as well And why is why is the DR on that list because I think there we also see a real Opportunity with respect to clearly energy with respect to telecommunications The Caribbean is looking to do things on a regional basis and we see that as a very important market And one that really wants to work with US business as well Well, I know that President Obama has made pivot to Asia a big a big part of the focus of his second term And you all as I said earlier the tip of the spear of a lot of that and certainly talked about Burma There's an apex and ASEAN meetings coming up talk talk about other countries in Asia that are on your radar screen Or I there are some perennials, but but talk a little bit about some of those No, I'd love to and as a matter of fact I mean, I think you're exactly right with respect to being the tip of the spear Which means we always have to be a little bit ahead of the game Yep, so I'm really delighted that we have the pivot to Asia because US TDA has been in Asia So it's a little bit of being able to see some of the work that we've been working on Now being able to bring our partners in from the US government as well as the private sector And as a matter of fact this pivot for us started a couple years ago with respect to the ASEAN There was a significant interest in the ASEAN countries and the private sector was trying to figure out how can we do something on a regional basis and What they did is they came to US TDA and said you're able to act more quickly than other agencies You're able to be able to bring together the right people so US today developed the US ASEAN connectivity cooperation program and that program is focusing on Connection between the ASEAN countries with respect to energy Telecommunications and transportation. So we've been in the countries. I mean clearly as you mentioned, you know, there are the we You know, we clearly have India we clearly have China that we've been working in but the same time we've been working very closely in Vietnam and Indonesia and the Philippines and being able to sort of have people work together To be able to develop their infrastructure in particular So the ASEAN something that's been very strong At the same time with respect to energy in the region last year alone US TDA tripled It's its focus and tripled its investment with respect to energy in the region and we see this is incredibly significant market clearly Vietnam, wind, Indonesia, geothermal, Philippines, biomass so throughout the region and we see significant opportunities for development and What we see is as you indicated US TDA has already begun to lay the groundwork for those opportunities And now those projects are able hopefully to be able to move forward with our many partners both in the private sector in the Public sector. Talk about your relationship with China because you've had a long-standing relationship with China and you you actually I know you Have where I forget which ministry but you have a number of very constructive relationships some of the ministries there We do and as a matter of fact, I mean US TDA has been in China for over 12 years now And it has and I think you hit the nail in the head very significant relationships in China that have we've been able to develop over time and The other thing is being able to work in cooperation So US TDA developed an aviation cooperation program in China that has become extremely successful Partnering with US business both large businesses small businesses as well as their CAAC or their ministry with respect to aviation So as a result under that umbrella We've been extremely successful in being able to bring people together so that they can one get to know one another plan projects together and as a matter of fact US TDA is Organizes a summit with the US government and China and we recently did that The response from the US business community to that summit is that there truly was a belief that they had the Opportunity to be able to meet with government officials that they otherwise would not have been able to meet with But also to be able to hear from them about what their plans were for the future And I think that's incredibly important Following on in the aviation cooperation program an energy cooperation program was developed with a similar style And also a health cooperation program in China. So I go to China about Two to three to four times a year. That's a lot of Star Alliance miles and Yeah, exactly But it's also developing those relationships and I think it's really Benefited US business and I think the goal there is also large businesses and small businesses being able to come in under this umbrella Talk about Let me just talk about one other region of the world. They're talking about power Africa. You mentioned it earlier I'm almost certain that you're the folks that are first out of the gate out of any of the agencies actually Operationalized power Africa. I'm just that's just a guess talk about what what you've done and in your answer Could you explain to the audience? What is a reverse trade mission? Because I think that's something special that what one of the things that you guys do that's that's important and special sure No, and I think it's similar to the pivot to Asia, which is again with respect to power Africa US TDA has been in the region for a long time and has worked on the planning with respect to Energy activities in Africa as I mentioned we have an office in Johannesburg Opak has now joined us in that office for the Clean Energy Development Finance Center We virtually include Exum Bank in that office so that we can have people come On the continent to be able to come and do the planning with us And be able to meet us there as well as in the United States. So we see tremendous opportunity Both with respect to new generation But I think the other thing that easily could get ignored but is incredibly important Which is access to power and power distribution and as a matter of fact With in Nigeria that is a very big issue Power is being generated, but it's being lost at significant rates And the US has the technology to be able to limit those losses through our smart grid technology as a matter of fact in Nigeria they were concessioning some of the distribution companies and In that what they indicated was they would have to reduce losses by about 50% When people received concession what they realized were that the losses themselves Were about 50 to 70% with respect to the transmission and distribution of that energy So US TDA brought a group of delegates that for the new people who had received those concessions To the United States through a reverse trade mission bringing them to the US to meet with US businesses That have the technology that can help with those losses and they didn't just go to New York or DC, right? Oh, no They go where the technology is so for example, so for example They can go to California that they can go out to Colorado where there's very significant technology being developed they go to Houston so they go wherever we see the technology that's going to help them so they're very customized visits The other thing that happened actually with that delegation is they were also invited to Congress because there's a significant interest in Africa and There was a panel that was being put on and they were great representatives of what's happening with respect to Africa What's happening with respect to power Africa? They are much better representatives than we ever could be on the Hill Let's talk about the Hill relations because I think I Think as I said, you are the tip of the spear I think the fact that your appropriations have gone up 19% in 12 months I think speaks volumes about the how ably led the agency is could you talk a little bit about how? Hill relations have changed over the last five or six years For TDA and what what are some of the the turning points in that in that talk a little bit about that? Well, one I have to thank Tom Hardy Who's our congressional liaison for his help in that regard? I think the reality is it's a matter of people understanding what US TDA does and How it's been beneficial basically US TDA focuses on mutual relationships and so that its jobs here at home at the same time creating a good Economic environment abroad and I think this is the thing that's really made the difference as we've been talking about what we do On the Hill is the recognition of the fact that these are not just you know Dollars that are lost abroad, but this is an investment in the US future But it also has an immediate impact with respect to jobs in the United States So I think that has really resonated on the Hill I also think that people recognize that foreign assistance itself is changing that there is a focus on trade that there can be mutual benefit and That we have to be able to provide an environment that catalyzes The private sector the multilaterals and also development banks within the countries themselves So I think that's something that's very different where people were hearing about aid just dollars going abroad I think the difference on the Hill today is the fact that you have a way to be able to provide foreign assistance That also brings jobs to the United States and I think that's what's made the difference Talk about your relationship with the interagency when I think about TDA I know there's sort of a little bit of a lot a linked up relationship with Exxon Bank And I think we've talked in the past about wouldn't it be nice if if there were sort of additional Connectivity with OPIC and AID or MCC talk a little bit about I know you have some sort of a monthly Conversation that somebody initiated might have been you so talk about your relationship with Exxon Bank and then talk about some of the other interagency Colleagues that you have and how you interface with them and what opportunities there are for synergies Well, I think this is a really special time in the US government with respect to collaboration I think it is people in the US government are focusing in ways that I have never seen before On how they can leverage each other and you've been in public service for 12 years And I've been in public service for 12 years in private sector 18 years before that as a child product I thank you And all of that time I've never seen anything like it that there clearly is a Weight people are looking to see how they can work together how they can leverage each other Clearly Exxon Bank. We about a third of our projects are funded by Exxon Bank We also work very closely with OPIC, but as you mentioned I mean the MCC has played a very significant role in developing some of the markets and Where for example, you know Ghana is a very good example where the MCC has been involved in some road building Well, those roads happen to go to ports which were involved in helping to develop So clearly the MCC AID, but I think the other thing is working with Treasury in the multilaterals We've also been able as a team to be able to leverage the private sector in the multilateral development banks and as you said one of things the the heads of the agencies do is we have breakfast together at least once a month and The good news about that is we actually like each other And I think that really helps, but the other thing is that our teams know that we're gonna have breakfast At least once a month. So all of a sudden before those meetings I start getting all of these emails about oh, can you ask them about this and can you ask them about that and When we go to these breakfasts We are like five buzz saws going off at once everybody excited about what they have to do what their agenda is It's XM, it's you it's opic. It's XM. It's USTDA. It's at the State Department and the Department of Commerce And have worked together have come together for these breakfasts great Okay, so talk about the global local initiative because I'm quite curious I think there's been sort of a I think rightly so an increased interest in sort of the role of state governments and city governments in diplomacy But I think your tailor-made as an agency to engage as you were saying state Development agencies or trade agencies talk a little and President Obama has a 5 million job export goal in his his time as president Talk about how that Relationships changed over time as well and and talk about how you're in obviously you're engaging them in a number of ways But talk about how that how that's happening. Well, again, I think it is tailor-made for USTDA Because I think what state and local governments have come to realize over the past five years is That they're really that the US market in some ways is Saturated that they have to look to be able to create jobs They have to look outside of the United States and they have to help their companies to be able to export So this fits perfectly with USTDA's mission So at the same time that the local governments are beginning to focus in this area This has been USTDA's tradition. So we can work very closely together to help them do that What it also does with the making global local and working with our partners is it provides a forum? Well, we can hear Where are the pockets of expertise? What is it that people want to export and then we can do that matchmaking that you mentioned again goes back to linking US businesses with these opportunities and so many of our reverse trade missions are designed so that we can bring them to our making global local partners and Be able to meet with their businesses or hold around table with them. So the making global local Partners are our intelligence to what's going on where there are markets and at the same time We can help them especially the smaller businesses by bringing the opportunities to them Instead of them having to go to the opportunities Can you just last question them open it up? Can you talk about? The advantages of being a small independent agency talk about what that's like. I know you were recently had to testify on the hill In a in putting on a different hat and thinking differently, but talk about the way it's currently set up today What the advantages are and I have to say I mean USTDA is just a phenomenal agency and I came from the private sector and it really is an agency that works like the private sector and Part of that is the fact that it is able to be very nimble very agile to be able to listen to Not be bureaucratic in its approach and as a result. It's a little bit like you mentioned We do our strategic planning every year. We have the ability to look forward But if something the world is changing constantly and so we can change with it And I think that's been an extremely important aspect of the agency Especially when you're at the beginning of projects You have to be able to move quickly You have to be able to change course when necessary or you have to be able to stay right on At the same time so one of the benefits of USTDA is that it is a nimble agency That is filled with an incredible talented staff That has the ability to go where the opportunities are and to be able to bring the US public with us great All right, let's open it up. I'm sure there are questions. I see Some folks here up front Jeremiah. We could start with this gentleman here this gentleman There's woman in the second row of these three. We'll start we'll bunch them together If you name name and organization and if we keep these Pithy we can do several rounds Yeah, oh, thank you. I'm Andre. So was oh, and I'm the chief representative in Vietnam for the interstate traveler company LLC in Detroit Wonderful presentation and exciting and of course I home down your remarks on ASEAN in Vietnam But my question is this recently We've designed a magnetic adaptation train that and We've been approached by recently Just a couple days ago with a entrepreneur who believes that he has a project opportunity for us in Cambodia so my question is and Not mentioned in I mean it was a lot of detail and all but not mentioned at all was the political situation Which I'm personally concerned with that, you know the with the unrest in the Election after the re-election of whom send so my my questions do you is from your perspective TDA? Do you have any general? comments on Opportunities or or lack there of in Cambodia. That's my question. Okay, this gentleman here We'll do this World Bank style. So we'll collect several My name is as much off from business times familiar with the Activities a role played by US TDA in promoting US exports Especially developed country the country like India Now they are doing a good job helping the objective of President Obama Not only the improving US economy, but creating jobs Likewise, there is another organization of the US government in the Commerce Department or select USA Their job is to get foreign investments into America and how to create more jobs here country like India has Always been looking for us in this movie now USA is looking for Indian investments India has invested 20 billion dollars in the USA and created about 100,000 jobs and US is interested in more because India is a big market. So my question to Director Zack is that how do US TDA would support the system organizations like you see like USA Thank you Thank you, this woman in the second row Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Rosemary Segura. I'm the president of Segura's international group. Thank you so much Mr Thank you for the wonderful presentation I come from Kenya and I'm past here in the US. I'm a woman on Kampan and I want to thank President Obama for the Power Africa initiative and the youth initiative Which I'm also involved into the power looking at the rural area how we can get power in the rural areas in Africa Because as a woman born and raised in Africa, I don't want to see women use firewood in in between now and 2220 now that power Africa is there looking at your partnership with agendas private and public sector We have partners with the US ID State Department where we go to the club or diaspora. What are you looking to? How are you looking to work with us as club or African diaspora input like the power Africa? It involves us as club or we understand the culture the tradition and the problems facing Africa with power How do you work with you and how do we know about the procurement the other initiatives? You need to make that partnership with us. How do you work with you? Thank you? Okay, let's take those three. Sure. I'm gonna take those three. I'm gonna take them in reverse order if you don't mind I'm gonna start with Kenya. Thank you very much for the work that you're doing to support Kenya and Absolutely, did diaspora is such an important part of economic development and such important partners And as a matter of fact US TDA really does reach out to the diaspora We'd love to reach out to you more and I'm gonna want to take your card After this as well and part of our reverse trade missions is one of the ways we do that is by bringing the delegates here We announce the fact that we have business briefings so that on our website and that's something everyone should be aware of Which is US TDA.gov We provide all the information with respect to our events all the delegates that are coming to the United States Where they're gonna be across the country So that's something I would love to be able to partner with you on and I totally agree And I think it's the goal with respect to power Africa that there are very Significant opportunities for large-scale power in Africa, but there are also opportunities for smaller scale power in Africa And that's some of the things we have been working on in particular with respect to renewable energy So I think there are good opportunities and clearly our website lists all of the events and who's coming and the diaspora is such an Extremely important part of economic development. So thank you for bringing that to our attention Going to my dear friend from the business times With respect to select USA all one of the good things when you were talking about collaboration All of the agencies actually are part of the advocacy They're all part of trying to bring opportunities both to the US as well as abroad With respect to select USA. It clearly is a priority of the US government and when I'm going abroad I can talk about it But we do have different missions and that's one of the things that we are very careful about and so US TDA's mission primarily is to be able to encourage economic development abroad In US jobs through exports whereas select USA is Advocating for investment in the United States. So our colleagues at the Commerce Department do a terrific job And occasionally I get to talk about it But our mission is really a little different from that and we're very good about focusing on our mission and staying staying on our mission With respect to Vietnam and Cambodia Again, thanks for the work that you're doing in Vietnam. I think it's a tremendous market and we've been very active there As I've mentioned and as Dan mentioned US TDA does do, you know significant research to focus on priority markets And I do know that there are others that have been you know focusing more heavily the State Department on Cambodia, but US TDA actually has not been in the position to be able to include Cambodia in our priority countries Just looking at where US businesses are looking to go and sort of where the economic environment is Doesn't mean if there isn't a very good opportunity that a US business has that we wouldn't entertain it But our criteria would include one that it really is a developmental priority in the country That we're comfortable in working with the the host country itself and the sponsors of the project that there are it is mutual benefits So there are US exports that are involved as well So we would have to analyze the project from that point from that point of view But although we look at the region It's not it's not a priority country for us at this time We take a couple more questions and comments that the the two folks in the last row right there and then the gentleman there will take those three Hi, my name is Liam Hanlon from management systems international And I was wondering if you could speak about sectors in Southeast Asia that have been particularly successful with regards to generating exports Or development benefits and sectors that haven't and that have faced challenges and kind of why you see these trends Okay, and the woman next to you Hi, Kate's lining also with MSI you mentioned Misac a little bit about getting value for procurement and listening to sort of those on the ground in Asia How do you still encourage? Opportunities for US businesses and encourage Those to still go with US contracts. Thank you and then this gentleman over here Thank you both very much for a good discussion. I'm Ed Barber from Good Works International I was very pleased to hear about your efforts to increase collaboration with XMO pit IDB's and so forth I'd like to move down the pipeline to talk about Operating across national boundaries abroad. We are involved in a transportation project in the Congo Basin in Central Africa that could potentially affect at least three countries Historically, there's been a big problem with financing cross-border projects joint and several liability and all that Could you talk a little bit about your approach to multinational projects? Thank you Okay, I'm going to take these in the order that they were given so we're going to start with Southeast Asia Clearly USDACs as I mentioned significant opportunity with respect to energy in Southeast Asia Both some of traditional energy, but also with respect to renewable energy and as a matter of fact as I mentioned We've tripled our portfolio with respect to energy projects Transportation is also another very important area in Southeast Asia clearly aviation is an area that is Taken off that there's a significant need In the region and we see a lot of opportunity The last area that we've worked in significantly is telecommunications and What that means is almost everything Telecommunications IT has become such a significant part whether it's with respect to customs whether it's Respective vessel traffic management Etc. So I think there are a lot of opportunities there So these in particular Are the areas of opportunity that USTDA has focused on there also are some opportunities with respect to the environment And we have worked but in Vietnam and Philippines with respect to environmental issues water treatment For example, so clearly these are where we see the priorities Where do we see the challenges? We see the challenges in energy transportation and telecommunications That I mean clearly there's a significant amount of Competition for US businesses in these areas in Asia. I think that's why it's so important and why there is the pivot to Asia It's because these are markets. It's a two trillion dollar market that's coming in the future and clearly, you know China is there Europe is there etc So it's really important to be able to level the playing field for US businesses So this is where we see all the with this is where we see opportunity But this is where we see challenge Which moves into the next question that was asked with respect to the procurement and I think we really do believe that The best having people focus on procurement on best value what the cost is over time Including maintenance costs as well is really going to be Significant in leveling the playing field for US businesses in this challenging environment That clearly there are other countries that have found located these markets They're willing to provide their goods and services at very low cost But when you do the comparison on just the cost Versus the cost over time it levels the playing field for US businesses It then gives them the opportunity to compete on the same level and frankly It also gives the host country a better buy. It gives them something for long term It's extremely respectful with respect to their procurement So I think that is going to be sort of one of the things that's going to help to be able to Provide for those opportunities and also to level the playing field for US businesses The last question was with respect to on a regional basis It's one of the things that USDA has had sort of a long history of which is we have focuses an example of the ASEAN connectivity cooperation program Work where we've done in Africa with respect to transportation initiatives that we actually Do look across borders And we recognize that many in many of these countries Their economic development partners are next door And so we have to be able to encourage and work with them to be able to provide those opportunities And one of the things that we can do is work with them on areas where we can provide You know mechanisms for common sources of revenue where revenue could go to be able to secure some of that financing On a more independent basis and that's part of the strategic planning that we can do with respect to some of the projects that we work on It's not just the technical aspect But we also look at how can this project be financed and there's some creative schemes To be able to put forward whether there's a trustee with respect to revenues from projects There would be independent when you're talking about cross border So we work very closely With the financiers when we try to develop those scopes of work of not only you know If it's technical something can get built But you really need to know sort of what the right financial scheme is to be able to have the implementation in the long run Okay, we got time for one or two more questions. So this gentleman there and this Dana Marshall, please Hi there. My name is Tim Lord. I'm with the US Department of Commerce Advocacy Center And as you probably already know, we advocate on behalf of US businesses that are up for procurement contracts overseas I was wondering your thoughts on How we could work More together specifically on on getting you know kind of businesses on board with your initiative Let's get a couple more actually in this gentleman in the raincoat. I'm gonna go with him as well I'm actually not a not a question. Just a just to reinforce something that the director said Are you somebody are somebody with honey? Well, we are a we're a user customer of TDAs The director made reference to In in Asia Pacific to just the importance of getting getting US companies and US companies Technologies in there early in a lot of these projects. So so aviation for example airport modernization clean energy Generations smart grid energy management things like that. Those are all the spaces we play in and things we're working directly with with TDA You know, you can't say enough about how important it is to get into that process early So whether it's through the through the you know, technical assistance of feasibility studies or reverse trade missions it's taking those decision makers in the countries and and introducing them to the technologies that the US companies bring to bear and Which you know tend to be done still in the United States by US companies Which plays to not only TDAs XMs, but the presidents and the US government's commerce is desire to boost exports dramatically So it's it's a combination of you know of of TDA being able to get us in the As early as possible and under directors acts leadership and her team They're really doing that better than ever which is probably not surprising that Congress You know notice that and said look at how much bang for the buck we get with such a little budget Let's increase the budget and increase the bang for the buck. So You know it for us, it's that plus it's just also to something that she said earlier The the staff has a very a very deal kind of a deal driven Let's get things done mindset and maybe part and parcel of being small and nimble as she said But you know as a company trying to get deals done You know you really value that and so just really more of a compliment than any kind of question Thank you, Dan. It's Dana Marshall with transnational strategy group Lee It's good to see you again, and I know that I've got clients that have used your reverse trade mission So congratulations for that. That's very helpful Maybe it's interesting number of us around this room have a similar kind of a question and let me put it a little different Gloss on it, but I think it's really important In one of the power Africa countries we have a situation where a ID is Putting in money for some technical assistance work MCC is putting money in for technical assistance Perhaps TDA is doing some work there when you do and I'm glad Dan asked the question about coordination But one of the really important areas is in coordinating the various approaches That the contractors are taking in that That needs also to be I think sort of harmonized to provide value to the Target country, but also to help sort of generate the point that US Suppliers can be very competitive when you look at an all-in cost. So how you actually Coordinate at that level I think is very important I'm going to start there. I'm going to go and reverse again with respect to coordination With respect to power Africa. I agree with you that It's extremely important for the assistance that we're providing to be sure that it's coordinated One thing that US TDA really focuses on is to ensure that we are staying within our mandate But at the same time we complement what it is that other agencies do I will say with respect to power Africa again having been in government for a long time I have never seen so many opportunities where the agencies are coordinating There are calls meetings coordination every single week where people and these aren't just what are you doing? These are going really down into the detail of what are the activities? Do you do you're doing? How is it that you're working together? One of these significant areas of cooperation and coordination is that US TDA Has the ability to do not only project planning But also to fill the gaps for financing if we see opportunities where there's a piece that's missing Whether it's an environmental study, whether it's a lawyer for a PPA Etc. We have the ability to provide that assistance We're doing that in connection with some of our sister agencies OPEC X and Bank that are subsequently doing the financing So if they see a project that they're looking to finance and we were talking about that before and there's a piece missing They'll notify us so that we can help provide that technical assistance So I totally agree with you coordination is key If you are aware of things that you think we should know about I'd be happy to sit down and talk about it If it's not working the way it is that it should be But I can say I've been incredibly impressed with the administration because they have been The ones who have been steering many or basically coordinating a lot of these meetings To indicate we want to know what you're doing, but we don't want we don't want to know about fluff We want to know but the details. What are you doing? How are you working together? It's clearly a mandate we've received and if we're off track I'd love to know about it to see how we can how we can work through it Art thank you very much for your comments Really, it's a it's a great example of Collaboration where we've learned a lot from honey well about sort of what the needs are for us businesses And what we can do to be able to help in the host countries for economic development. It's been a terrific partnership. Thank you And with respect to the advocacy center We work with them constantly As a matter of fact one of the tools that us tda provides our training grants So that if there is a procurement And that their host countries are providing other kinds of sweeteners For their Companies oftentimes the advocacy center gets involved in advocating on behalf of those u.s companies And us today has been able to provide training grants So to go along with goods and services We can provide a grant that provides for the training with respect to those goods and services and those are always coordinated With the advocacy center. So it's been a very good relationship throughout the years and even more so Of late. Well, this has been great. Thank you for making the time. Please join me in thanking director lee zack Thank you