www.tda.gov/abouttda/index.html 



Mission Statement 
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency assists in the 
creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies 
pursue overseas business opportunities. Through the 
funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, 
specialized training grants, business workshops, and 
various forms of technical assistance, we enable 
American businesses to compete for infrastructure and 
industrial projects in middle-income and developing 
countries. 

TDA AT A GLANCE 
Since the U.S. Trade and Development Agency's 
inception in 1981, we have been associated with 
approximately $12.3 billion in exports -- or nearly 
$32 in exports for every dollar invested in TDA 
activities. 
TDA is a small, independent federal agency. Because 
of our size and management style, we respond quickly 
to assist U.S. companies in capitalizing on overseas 
business opportunities and responding to foreign 
competition. 
In Fiscal Year 1998, TDA obligated $56 million for 
U.S firms in more than 62 strategically targeted 
developing and middle-income countries in the 
following regions: Africa/Middle East; Asia/Pacific; 
Central and Eastern Europe; Latin America and the 
Caribbean; and the New Independent States (NIS). 
TDA primarily is involved in these sectors: 
agriculture; energy; environment; health care; 
manufacturing; mining and minerals development; 
telecommunications; transportation; and water 
resources. 
TDA, through the Trade Promotion Coordinating 
Committee (TPCC), works closely with the Department 
of Commerce, The Export-Import Bank, the Overseas 
Private Investment Corporation, and other export 
promotion agencies to advance American business 
interests abroad.