Kenya Cyber Security Reverse Trade Mission

USTDA is sponsoring an 14-day Reverse Trade Mission for officials from the public and private sectors in Kenya. The objective of the activity is to expose decision-makers from several agencies of the Kenyan government and from Kenya's private sector with responsibility for information and communications technology (ICT) to U.S. best practices and innovative technologies at a critical time in the growth of the country's ICT infrastructure. BCIU plans to organize the Reverse Trade Mission which will include visits to California and Washington, D.C. The trip will feature meetings with U.S. companies and government agencies involved in cyber security policy, implementation, solutions and strategy.

Kenya's connection to the internet was greatly enhanced with the connection of the SEACOM cable in summer 2009 and the upcoming connection of the EASSy cable, anticipated for second quarter 2010. With increased connectivity comes increased potential, however, for computer-based crime. While Kenya is not a hotbed of internet fraud, there have been several signs that cyber crime is on the rise in the country. For example, the Central Bank of Kenya's latest report indicates that commercial banks are losing an average of 100 million Kenyan Shillings (about $1.3 million) to fraudulent activities, and the amount of fraud is increasing with fiber connectivity and increased use of technology by banks. With mounting evidence of increasing vulnerabilities, the Government of Kenya and leaders in the private sector are poised to make improvements to its cyber security infrastructure.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is a foreign assistance agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in emerging markets. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and open trading environment. In carrying out its mission, USTDA focuses on economic sectors that benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

East African Community e-Health Workshop

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will host a technical workshop for the countries of the East African Community (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or Burundi) for both collaborative and instructive sessions on various aspects of e-health in November 2010 in Kigali, Rwanda. The goal of the Workshop is to bring together decision-makers from both the public and private sectors responsible for overseeing and delivering healthcare solutions to East Africa to learn about policy issues, technology issues and broadband solutions that will enable the improvement healthcare infrastructure and delivery via the use of broadband technology. The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) will work with USTDA to organize this important event.

The connection of the SEACOM cable and the upcoming connection of the EASSy cable will drastically increase connectivity and reduce prices for broadband in the region. Countries are currently building out the physical infrastructure by laying fiber optic cable. Countries such as Kenya and Tanzania, which are inland from the landing site, are working to connect their internal networks to the submarine cables. While the physical build-out is still taking place, decision-makers are turning their attention to the next phase of development, which will be utilizing the bandwidth to provide better services to their populations.

The Workshop will focus on both policy and technical elements. Assessing policies that can support an enabling environment for e-healthcare solutions, as well as discussions of e-health areas such as telemedicine, electronic medical records and healthcare information systems will be explored. Case studies will be utilized to illustrate best practices.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is a foreign assistance agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in emerging markets. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and open trading environment. In carrying out its mission, USTDA focuses on economic sectors that benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

Indonesia Search and Rescue Orientation Visit

Twelve officials from Indonesia’s Badan SAR Nasional (National Search and Rescue Agency) (BASARNAS) . The delegation will be comprised of senior BASARNAS directors and department heads responsible for identifying equipment and training needs for the agency. The objective of the visit is to highlight U.S services and technologies for search and rescue efforts, first response capabilities, resources and facilities. BCIU will organize the Orientation Visit in January 2010, which will include visits to Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C. and California. BASARNAS, an independent agency with national responsibility for leading search and rescue efforts, seeks to improve first response capabilities by upgrading their resources and facilities. Indonesia suffers frequently from aviation and maritime incidents and is afflicted by natural disasters. BASARNAS has a budget allocation of $170 million over the next two years to procure helicopters, communications and IT systems, and training services to properly respond to incidents throughout the country. This will offer significant opportunities for U.S. companies.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

ASEAN Clean Energy Trade, Technology and Investment Forum

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will host an ASEAN clean energy trade and investment conference in April 2010 in Manila, Philippines. The goal of the conference is to address issues related to clean energy development in the region, including the adoption of policies and technologies that enhance efficient power production with a focus on pollution reduction. The event will also support ASEAN Secretariat efforts, through the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), to make environmentally friendly energy production a priority for all ASEAN members. The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) will work with USTDA to organize and host the event.

The conference will include participation of senior government and energy sector officials from ASEAN economies and consist of sessions and panels to address energy development in the region, highlighting effective policy mechanisms and financing options. Case studies will be utilized to explore best practices and one-on-one meetings between ASEAN representatives and U.S. industry participants will take place. Topics will be project-focused, addressing resources and technologies including hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and coal bed methane development. In addition, discussions on project management and implementation will be highlighted. The ASEAN clean energy trade and investment conference will provide a forum for ASEAN representatives, U.S. industry and government experts to promote accelerated planning of clean energy development.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is a foreign assistance agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in emerging markets. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and open trading environment. In carrying out its mission, USTDA focuses on economic sectors that benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

Vietnam National Intelligent Highway System Orientation Visit

USTDA is sponsoring an 8-day Orientation Visit for officials from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Vietnam and Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC). The objective of the visit is to highlight U.S services and technologies for project management, construction, investment, maintenance, operation and toll collection for new highways. BCIU will organize the Orientation Visit in August 2009, which will include visits to California, Texas and Washington, D.C. The trip will also include site visits to high occupancy tolling lane operations; meetings with U.S. manufacturers; and government agencies involved in regulating and funding highway projects.

The Government of Vietnam has made highway system infrastructure a priority in an effort to support economic growth to achieve 10-year national socio-economic goals. Vietnam’s recent economic growth and increasing population have strained the highway system and created severe congestion and traffic issues. The limited highway capacity, inefficient management and routine flooding of highways during the monsoon season have increased transportation costs and travel time for commuters and movement of goods. In an attempt to develop solutions for the increasingly problematic highway system, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued a formal decision on December 1, 2008 approving a Highway Network Development Plan (2009-2020) which outlines 3,649 miles of highway roads needed to connect major economic regions, border gateways and important transportation nodes with specific focus on a north-south highway road system. Within this plan the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) has identified 22 individual projects worth more than $10 billion, of which $250 million will be needed to procure intelligent road systems such as tolling systems, back office systems, operations centers, congestion management and related software applications, highway signage, and pilot traffic management solutions. These projects represent significant opportunities for U.S. companies.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

Middle East and North Africa: Maghreb Water Orientation Visit

USTDA is sponsoring a 10-day Orientation Visit for public sector water officials from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.  The objective of the visit is to highlight topics designated as critical for the wastewater and desalinization industry; improve the quality and usage of reclaimed water in the Maghreb; help the water authorities properly contain and account for their supply of water to the public; and present the delegates with information on current and future trends in the wastewater and desalinization industry. BCIU will organize the Orientation Visit in October 2009, which will include visits in California, Nevada, Florida and Washington, D.C. The delegation will also attend the Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Orlando, Florida.

The Maghreb faces urgent challenges in managing its environmental and water resources which represent significant opportunities for U.S. companies across the region.  The trip will include site visits to municipal water treatment facilities; meetings with U.S. manufacturers; and government agencies involved in regulating and funding wastewater treatment and desalinization projects.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

Colombia: Satellite Technologies Orientation Visit

USTDA is sponsoring a 10-day Orientation Visit for representatives from the Colombian Geographic Institute, with the objective of showcasing U.S. technology and services in the satellite communication sector in order to address the technological needs for Colombia to further develop its satellite infrastructure. BCIU will organize the Orientation Visit in July 2009, which will include stops in California, Colorado and Washington, D.C.

The Colombian Geographic Institute is interested in procuring a earth observation satellite in 2009. The trip will include site visits and meetings with U.S. companies and government agencies involved in satellite policy, implementation, and innovation.

For more information, please contact Tosha Wilkes (t-wilkes@bciu.org) or Nina Kundra (n-kundra@bciu.org) of the Business Council for International Understanding at (212) 490-0460.

West Africa ICT Road Map to Opportunities Conference

The conference agenda addressed key policy issues and highlighted efforts to expand telecommunications infrastructure; improve delivery of government services; and support the growth of e-commerce. In particular, the event is focused on regional market creation and cross-border cooperation on wireless technologies and included an examination of ICT in the areas of e-Commerce and e-Government in West Africa.

Project sponsors from West Africa at the event provided U.S. company representatives with details on new export and investment opportunities associated with 16 projects ranging in value from $1 million - $450 million. Participating countries at the event include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The projects presented included opportunities for commercial partnerships in expanding communication networks; developing fiber optic backbone networks and submarine communications systems; implementing solutions for rural connectivity; and the provision of e-Government; e-Learning, and telemedicine services.

Corporate conference sponsors included Alcatel-Lucent Corporation, Microsoft, Oracle, Intel, Motorola, QUALCOMM, DiscoveryTel, and Telecom/Telematique, Inc. Each company shared their perspective on ICT development and how different solutions may benefit long-term growth in West Africa.

China Healthcare Information Technology Orientation Visit

USTDA sponsored a 12-day Orientation Visit for twelve representatives from China’s Ministry of Health and various hospitals, with the objective of showcasing U.S. technology and services in the healthcare sector in order to address the technological needs for China to further develop its healthcare technology infrastructure. BCIU organized the Orientation Visit from February 24 to March 8, 2008, which included stops in the Orlando, FL, California Bay Area and Washington, D.C. The delegation also attended the Healthcare Technology Management Systems Society annual conference and exhibition in Orlando, FL.

The purpose of the OV was to promote U.S. exports and to provide technological solutions for China to further develop its healthcare infrastructure. To assist the overwhelmed healthcare system, officials from China hoped to gain insight on improving the coordination among agencies that play a role in the healthcare system; upgrading healthcare infrastructure; reforming the hospital system to promote efficiency, equality, and quality of care; and realigning health costs by promoting laws to encourage the development of a health insurance system.

The itinerary for the OV comprised of site visits and meetings with U.S. companies and U.S. government agencies to allow the delegation to interact with entities involved in U.S. healthcare policy, implementation, and innovation.

ASEAN e-Government and ICT Projects Orientation Visit

USTDA sponsored a 12-day Orientation Visit for government and industry representatives from selected countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The aim of this visit was to learn about U.S. capabilities, experiences and practices in the implementation of e-government and information and communications technology projects.

Several major projects in the ICT sector, including a number of e ‐Government initiatives, are being pursued by ASEAN countries, with procurement opportunities totaling over $1.5 billion. This OV provided decision ‐makers from these countries an opportunity to learn more about U.S. capabilities, experiences, and practices in the implementation of e ‐Government and other ICT sector projects. The OV also allowed U.S. companies with an interest in these procurements to highlight their expertise in this sector.

BCIU was subcontracted by USTDA to organize the OV from December 2 to December 15, 2007, and included stops in the California Bay Area and Washington, D.C. BCIU arranged various meetings for the delegates with U.S. Government representatives, associations, and U.S. companies specializing in e ‐Government technology. A Business Briefing and a World Bank Policy Roundtable were held in Washington, D.C.

Europe Regional Emergency Management and Response Conference

USTDA sponsored a Europe Regional Emergency Management and Response Conference from October 29 to 31, 2007 at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest, Hungary. BCIU won the contract to organize and host the conference.

To increase their capabilities for handling both natural and man-made disasters, the countries of Central Europe and Turkey are preparing to modernize their emergency management and response systems. However, millions of dollars of investment is needed in order to replace and upgrade monitoring, warning, and command and control systems. Governments to be represented at the conference include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, and Turkey.

In addition to USTDA, other U.S. Government agencies represented include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service, the U.S. Forestry Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. Approximately 50 U.S. companies were represented with strong environmental monitoring, forecasting and IEMS product offerings.

Training Program for Serbia’s Telecommunication Regulatory Agency (RATEL)

The program commenced in November 2006 with a scoping visit to Belgrade by two telecommunications experts who met with RATEL staff and other stakeholders to identify issues and priorities for assistance. In January 2007, six RATEL delegates visited the U.S. for an intensive two-week regulatory training program managed by the Public Utility Research Center, which included a visit to the Federal Communications Commission as well as a Telecommunications Industry Roundtable. The final phase of the program comprised several extended visits by the telecommunications experts to Belgrade, to assist RATEL staff on priority projects identified during the experts’ scoping visit.

For more information about BCIU’s Government Contracts activities, or about the specific programs implemented, please contact BCIU’s Government Contracts Manager at (212) 490-0460.