November 4, 2004

TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN BUCHAREST

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will sponsor a trade and investment mission during the week of November 7 in Bucharest. The focus of the mission will be on Romanian agriculture, including the food processing, equipment, and production sectors. Ms. Merritt Chesley, the Director of Food Industry Division of the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, will lead the delegation.

The mission is expected to result in important sales and investment, since it aims to promote trade and commercial cooperation in the agricultural sector, foster economic growth and create jobs in rural areas of Romania.

Over sixteen U.S. businesses will participate in the mission, ranging from small animal feed equipment dealers to wine importers to large investment firms. Each company will have a series of face-to-face meetings with potential investment and production partners. A list of the U.S. businesses participating in this event is included below.

The delegation will kick off their visit to Bucharest with a conference in the Hilton Hotel on Monday, November the 8th at 9:30am. Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas Delare, Deputy Ministers of Agriculture Steriu and Istudor and State Secretary Popa, President of the Romanian Agency for Foreign Investment, will greet the group.

Journalists are invited to attend this conference. Please contact the Embassy's Public Affairs Office at: 210 16 03 or the Office of Agricultural Affairs at 210 03 98 or e-mail: agbucharest@usda.gov.