USTDA generates an average of $231 in U.S. exports for every dollar it programs. Since its inception, the Agency has supported more than $119 billion in U.S. exports to infrastructure projects in emerging economies, helping companies create good-paying jobs across the United States.
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Kenyan technology company Semiconductor Technologies Limited (STL) for a feasibility study to develop a new semiconductor fabrication facility that will help diversify and strengthen global supply chains for legacy chips that are used in numerous commercial applications. The grant was signed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during the State Visit of Kenyan President William S. Ruto to the United States.
“USTDA supports Kenya’s goal of becoming a global technology hub. By partnering with companies like STL, USTDA is advancing the necessary infrastructure that will help cement this status,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “The growing demand for semiconductors is generating enormous opportunities for U.S. technology exports to fabrication facilities in partner countries like Kenya.”
Semiconductor chips have a wide variety of applications, including in energy and power systems, automative applications, biotechnology, agriculture and livestock, and Internet of Things applications. USTDA’s study will support the development of Africa’s second commercial fabrication facility on the campus of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri, Kenya. Building global production capacity is critical to both meeting the growing demand for semiconductors and diversifying supply chains.
“USTDA’s assistance will unlock significant investment opportunities for STL and for the Kenya semiconductor ecosystem, fostering extensive bilateral and private sector engagement among the U.S., Kenya, and the broader continent,” said STL’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Githinji. “This grant also demonstrates the confidence that the U.S. government has in Kenya and in the Silicon Savannah as a hub for advanced technology and manufacturing. I extend my deepest gratitude to the USTDA team and to the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, for their unwavering support that led to this pivotal grant.”
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility studyshould visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
USTDA’s assistance advances Biden-Harris Administration priorities including the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022’s goals to diversify the global semiconductor supply chain, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, Prosper Africa, and the Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative. The Agency’s programming also follows through on commitments made at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a feasibility study grant to Bangladeshi telecommunications company CdNet Communications Limited. (CdNet) to expand reliable internet connectivity across Bangladesh through the development of the Bangladesh International Submarine Cable (Bagha-1). The subsea cable will increase capacity and improve internet quality in both urban and rural areas. CdNet selected Florida-based APTelecom LLC to conduct the study.
USTDA and CdNet signed their grant agreement at the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum, where Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. provided keynote remarks.
“Across the Indo-Pacific, USTDA is building a portfolio of subsea cable projects with partners like CdNet who are committed to expanding their countries’ broadband capacity through trusted subsea fiber optic cable systems,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Our Agency helps to build a partnership-based ecosystem that leverages the resources and capabilities of project developers, the U.S. private sector, U.S. government agencies, financial institutions, and like-minded Indo-Pacific partners who are committed to the success of projects like Bagha-1.”
Subsea cables play a critical role in global communications. When implemented, the Bagha-1 cable will increase the bandwidth available to internet users in Bangladesh, helping to expand secure high-speed internet connectivity and enhance the resilience of the country’s critical digital infrastructure. USTDA’s study will assist CdNet in assessing options to identify the most strategic path for deploying a trusted subsea cable system in Bangladesh.
“Bagha-1 would help bolster Bangladesh’s reliable and trusted connectivity to the world and unlock massive opportunities for emerging digital services including 5G services, international data centers and for international hyperscalers,” said Dr. Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat, Director, CdNet. “We are proud to be part of this journey towards a more connected and prosperous future for Bangladesh.”
U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Peter Haas, said: “USTDA’s feasibility study will lay the groundwork for improved internet access and quality for the people of Bangladesh. We are proud to support a U.S. business, in partnership with a Bangladeshi one, in building a more connected Bangladesh.”
USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris Administration priorities such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Project Preparation Facility.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Filipino company Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort, Inc. (RISE) for a feasibility study that will help internet service providers in the Philippines to strengthen the delivery of high-quality and resilient internet services, especially in underserved communities. Specifically, the study will advance RISE’s efforts to expand carrier-neutral internet exchange infrastructure through its GetaFIX business unit. RISE selected California-based Connectivity Capital LLC to conduct the study.
USTDA and RISE signed their grant agreement at the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum, where Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. provided keynote remarks.
“USTDA partners with companies like RISE to improve access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity for underserved communities in the Indo-Pacific. Planning the deployment of innovative technology is part of our strategy to promote inclusive economic growth,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “USTDA is pleased to launch this project at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum. It is just one demonstration of our unwavering commitment to promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation with the Philippines.”
The expansion of GetaFIX internet exchanges will allow data to travel shorter distances to reach users, enhancing both speed and reliability for improved user experience and increased connectivity between the Philippines’ internet service providers. The project will also drive demand for new data centers, which house internet exchange infrastructure. This will create new business opportunities for U.S. companies to partner with the Philippines on its digital transition.
“We’re thrilled and honored that USTDA would choose to support GetaFIX, its members and partners in expanding to more communities,” said Rhett Jones, Founder and CEO of RISE and Founder of GetaFIX. “Having grown to the Philippines’ largest internet exchange already, GetaFIX is ready to make an even bigger impact and keep living our motto ‘when we share everyone wins.’”
“The U.S. government is committed to supporting the Philippine government on its digital development journey,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson. “This grant from USTDA will support efforts to bring affordable connectivity to remote communities, enabling access to the digital economy for every Filipino.”
USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris Administration priorities such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Project Preparation Facility.
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About GetaFIX
GetaFIX was established to improve the speed and reliability of the internet in the Philippines for all Filipinos. The company does this by helping networks to connect to each other more easily, to reach the content they want to bring to their subscribers, and to access critical basic systems like DNS and speed tests. It operates on standard pricing models allowing for easy interconnection and available at major data centers located in Manila, Cebu, Hong Kong and Singapore. To learn more, visit www.getafix.ph.
About USTDA
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
For thirty years, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has been at the forefront of infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific region, forming partnerships that have mobilized capital and brought U.S. private sector innovation to many of the region’s infrastructure priorities.
USTDA achieves its mission through grant funding for project preparation that provides the comprehensive analysis that infrastructure projects require to attract financing for their implementation. The Agency also funds partnership-building activities that help share knowledge, build relationships, and find U.S. solutions for the infrastructure challenges that USTDA’s partners face. In carrying out its mission, USTDA places particular emphasis on vital economic sectors including clean energy, transportation, digital, and healthcare infrastructure.
Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USTDA has country representatives based in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Since its inception in 1992, USTDA has funded more than more than 700 infrastructure development activities in 23 Indo-Pacific countries to advance the region’s priorities.
At the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum, USTDA announced new programming in its Indo-Pacific portfolio:
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
- Bangladesh: International Submarine Cable: USTDA awarded a feasibility study grant to Bangladeshi telecommunications company CdNet Communications Limited to expand reliable internet connectivity and quality across Bangladesh through the development of the Bangladesh International Submarine Cable (Bagha-1). This grant was signed at the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
- Philippines: Carrier-Neutral Internet Exchange Point Rollout: USTDA awarded a grant to Filipino company Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort, Inc. (RISE) for a feasibility study that will help internet service providers in the Philippines to strengthen the delivery of high-quality and resilient internet services, especially in underserved communities. The study will advance RISE’s efforts to expand carrier-neutral internet exchange infrastructure through its GetaFIX business unit. This grant was signed at the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
- Malaysia: Sepang District City Integrated Command Center: USTDA announced its approval of grant funding for a feasibility study to the Sepang City Council (MPS) to support the development of a city integrated command center (CICC) for Sepang District, a key economic hub in Malaysia. The CICC will enable Sepang District to leverage a large volume of smart city data to improve city operations, including faster emergency response, reduced traffic congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also help to link city data with that of neighboring areas to improve regional planning and coordination.
- Thailand: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Digital Infrastructure Regulatory Workshop Series: USTDA has approved funding for a series of workshops that will convene U.S. and Thai regulators and companies to advance digital accessibility in Thailand. The workshops will support the country’s alignment with international best practices for digital infrastructure regulations and spectrum management.
HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE
- Vietnam: Southeast Asia Healthcare Workshop Series: In support of Vietnam’s groundbreaking efforts to strengthen the quality of healthcare by streamlining procurement of top-tier medical devices, in fall 2024USTDAwill convene U.S. and Vietnamese industry and regulators to collaborate on best practices, laws, regulations, standards, and policy development in the medical device space. This workshop is part of a series of healthcare workshops in Southeast Asia to advance digital health accessibility and innovation. USTDA hosted previous workshops in the Philippines and Thailand.
CLEAN ENERGY/CLIMATE-SMART INFRASTRUCTURE
- Philippines: Advanced Grid Technologies & Renewable Energy Integration Reverse Trade Mission: USTDA has approved funding to support the modernization and buildout of electricity transmission and distribution networks in the Philippines by bringing a delegation of government officials and private sector utilities to the United States to observe innovations and best practices in smart grid technologies. These innovations can help to integrate renewable energy sources, increase service quality and resilience, and reduce technical losses and costs.
- Vietnam: Power Cybersecurity Reverse Trade Mission: In September 2024,USTDA will host a delegation of Vietnamese utility officials focused on cybersecurity and data solutions for the power sector. The program will feature site visits and meetings with U.S. companies, utilities, and sector experts to observe U.S. innovations and best practices for grid technologies that can help promote more secure power infrastructure, integrate renewable energy sources, and increase resilience across Vietnam.
TRANSPORTATION
- India: U.S.-India Aviation Summit: In June 2024, USTDA will host the seventh U.S.-India Aviation Summit to convene the U.S. and South Asian aviation industries to discuss new horizons and developments underpinning rapid aviation market growth in the region. In conjunction with the Summit, USTDA will host an airport roundtable to bring together U.S. and Indian airport operators to discuss the opportunities and challenges of airport growth.
- Regional: TSA Symposium and Workshop Reverse Trade Mission: In June 2024, USTDA will bring a delegation of aviation security officials from Bangladesh, Fiji, Maldives, Mongolia, Philippines, Samoa, and Thailand to the United States to learn more about U.S. solutions and best practices for maintaining aviation security for the flying public. The visit will include private meetings, site visits, and attendance at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s Training Symposium in Las Vegas. A follow-on workshop in fall 2024 will convene aviation security leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region to share insights and best practices on aviation security and build relationships with U.S. technology solution providers.
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a technical assistance grant with Indonesia’s Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) for the development of priority smart city infrastructure in Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara. These technologies will help optimize government resources, increase sustainability, and improve quality of life for residents of the new city.
“In everything we do, USTDA works with partners like Indonesia to support the priorities that they have chosen for their countries,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “In the case of Nusantara, our goal is to facilitate the deployment of U.S. technology to enhance the creation of a world-class capital city that is sustainable, efficient, connected, livable and inclusive.”
Cities face the challenge of identifying the most appropriate technologies for their needs and making procurement decisions that favor longer-term quality over short-term cost. USTDA’s assistance will develop a customized approach to integrating smart city applications like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and internet of things. The study will provide detailed designs, technical specifications, procurement documentation and a capacity building strategy.
USTDA’s technical assistance joins a series of Agency activities in support of Nusantara’s infrastructure, including an April 2024 reverse trade mission, a training workshop in Jakarta, and business forum events to familiarize Indonesian decision makers with U.S. smart city solutions and best practices for implementation.
“Developing a smart sustainable forest city of Nusantara provides the unique opportunity to incorporate state-of-the-art technology and sustainable green environment to enhance our quality of life,” said Prof. Mohammed Ali Berawi, OIKN Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation. “We invite international collaboration to be part of the development of a livable and lovable city of Nusantara. I express my appreciation for the support of USTDA in participating on Nusantara development, a global city for all.”
“This grant from USTDA is the latest demonstration of the United States’ commitment to building on our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in pursuit of shared priorities like inclusive economic growth and a just energy transition,” said Michael Kleine, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Indonesia.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
The technical assistance supports Biden-Harris Administration priority initiatives, including the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, including the goal of developing, expanding, and deploying secure digital infrastructure to power economic growth and facilitate open digital societies
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov