July 21, 2004

U.S. GOVERNMENT GRANT SUPPORTS MODERNIZATION OF ROMANIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORIES

The United States Government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $281,105 grant today to the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Water Management (MEWM) to develop a modernization plan for the Government of Romania's network of environmental laboratories. As Romania edges closer to European Union (EU) membership in 2007, the country is introducing and enforcing a large body of new environmental law. The USTDA, which last year named Romania as "Country of the Year", provided this grant as part of the U.S. Government's ongoing commitment to assist Romania in its efforts to provide a cleaner, safer environment for all of its citizens.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony at MEWM headquarters in Bucharest. Mr. Jonathan Marks, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest signed the grant on behalf of the U.S. Government. Mrs. Liliana Bara, Secretary of State for European Integration Affairs, signed on behalf of MEWM.

The Government of Romania has 42 regional and local laboratories and one national laboratory that are responsible for testing air, water, soil and various wastes as part of the country's environmental enforcement regime. The MEWM has proposed the expansion and improvement of its existing laboratory network and the creation of eight new regional laboratories through upgrades to existing local laboratories. The USTDA grant awarded today will fund a study on the organization and structure of the laboratory network's staff and information flow. In addition, the study will define equipment requirements and standard procedures, develop training requirements, and assist with laboratory accreditation

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. 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 a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

Visit USTDA's Website at http://www.USTDA.gov for more information.