EMERGING MARKET GRANTS ADD $1 MILLION IN FUNDING

Over the past two months, USDBC has received Emerging Market Program (EMP) grants totaling around $1 million to create new export opportunities for U.S. dry beans. The grants include market assessments and analysis in India and Pakistan and a seminar series on new and innovative uses of beans and an introduction to diverse types of beans in the DR/CAFTA and Mercosur regions. USDBC has one additional EMP grant pending, focused on a market assessment of new opportunities in select West African countries. These grants add additional funding to USDBC’s global market development budget of $2 million. The Mercosur and DR/CAFTA EMPs will take place with a series of seminars across the region this fall. The India and Pakistan programs will also begin this fall with RFPs to identify a qualified contractor to conduct the programs. We would like to thank USDA/FAS for their continued support and confidence as we seek to expand our global footprint.