Accessing international markets (AIM)

and other international markets. The project, to be implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), has three main components: Volunteer Executive Technical Assistance (VETA); Trade and Investment Services (TIS); and Moroccan-U.S. Tourism Promotion (MUST). The project continues and expands IESC activities under Project 6080189. Under the VETA program, 155 IESC VE"s will provide one-on-one TA to a broad range of Moroccan companies (many of which will be identified through the TIS and MUST components). Two major types of assistance are envisioned: technical, production-oriented, factory floor assistance, and business management assistance. Costs will be partially recovered through client fees. In addition, the VETA program will provide: (1) American Business Linkages (ABLE) information services regarding equipment, suppliers, product specifications, potential business partners, etc.; (2) special assistance to export companies, business associations, and privatization efforts; (3) industry-specific seminars and training programs; and (4) services to promote private sector thinking within public sector entities. TIS will promote exports by Moroccan firms and U.S.-Moroccan joint ventures. (1) To promote exports, TIS will identify promising products (including those which could readily be produced for U.S. markets); locate the technologies, information sources, and contacts needed to link Moroccan producers with export markets; identify firms able and willing to adapt their products to U.S. specifications; finance visits to Morocco by U.S. marketing associates to conclude specific deals; provide Moroccan firms with other support (e.g., U.S. buyer visits, VETA services). It is expected that six firms will achieve significant sustainable export breakthroughs with new trading partners. (2) To promote U.S.-Moroccan joint ventures (including both traditional joint ventures and a wide range of co-ventures), TIS will, inter alia, canvas and solicit U.S. firms that might be interested in joint ventures, facilitate (and on occasion, partially finance) potential investors" visits to Morocco, and help with arrangements for feasibility studies, market studies, etc. Fourteen joint or co-ventures involving $7.5 million in investment value are targeted. The MUST component will conduct marketing efforts to attract U.S. tourists to Morocco, including partial funding for familiarization visits to Morocco by U.S. tour operators; seminars, conferences, and other training for travel agents; production of promotional materials; and partial funding of U.S. agents" advertisements of Moroccan tours. In addition, the component will include VE assistance for the Moroccan tourist industry; and, to the degree possible, development of a private sector-led Moroccan National Tourism Association, with mixed private-public membership.