US agency to extend Morocco $ 600,000 grant
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will sign this week with Morocco a $ 600,000 grant, during a visit to Morocco this Feb.4-10 by the USTDA director, Joseph Grandmaison.
A statement of the US embassy in Morocco says $350,000 will go to extend the City of Casablanca technical assistance for execution of an international tender for the collection, transfer and treatment of solid waste.
Grandmaison will also sign a $250,000 grant with state-owned phosphates company (OCP) for a feasibility study at OCP's Jorf Lasfar site. The study will examine the possibility of developing a heat recovery system to harness cooling water to generate energy for a desalination unit.
The purpose of Grandmaison's visit is to follow up on several investment projects discussed at the Maghreb Investment and Development Conference sponsored by TDA last November in Washington. Representatives from the Moroccan public and private sector presented more than 20 concrete projects to U.S. businesses and investors during this conference.
"The Maghreb Investment and Development Conference generated great deal of excitement for expanded commercial partnerships between U.S. companies and North African project sponsors," the US embassy statement said quoting Grandmaison.
Follow-up meetings will also be held with several officials who attended the Maghreb conference, including the Chief Executive Officer of ONAREP (oil research and exploration authority). TDA will announce its intention to conduct project research on the agency's assistance with ONAREP's plans to purchase GIS (geographical information system) equipment to better implement the country's expanded oil and gas exploration program.
He will also follow up on projects presented at the conference by ONEP (drinking water office), and will hold meetings with various government officials to identify other projects eligible for TDA assistance.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is an independent federal agency that helps U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA provides American firms with market entry, exposure and information through the funding of feasibility studies, technical assistance, reverse trade missions and conferences. These efforts help American businesses establish a position in newly emerging economies. Last year, TDA provided assistance in 63 nations around the world.