Environmental private sector initiatives in the Near East

industries would supply Near East industries with pollution prevention and waste minimization (clean) technology. The term clean technology is herein employed because it is a term more familiar to people outside the U.S. and is perfectly consistent with pollution prevention and waste minimization technology. More specifically, the study purpose was to form a general assessment of the market potential for U.S. clean technical products in several Near East countries and to select one of these countries to focus on. The study team visited Egypt (twice), Jordan, and Tunisia, held discussions with USAID/Morocco officials, and undertook economic research related to Morocco. Findings are as follows. (1) There is a sufficiently large industrial market for clean technology and an abundant number of commercially proven and available U.S. clean technology products to justify this program and make it successful. (2) While many U.S. firms are world class manufacturers of clean technology products, most are small businesses without the funds, time, or personnel to invest in developing new business in the Near East region. Therefore, A.I.D. or other U.S. Government assistance will be critical if this program is to succeed. (3) Existing industries in the region lack technological advancement and efficiency in production processes, defining an intrinsic need for modern, clean technology. In addition, industrial sectors in the region are experiencing high growth rates. (4) There is a relatively small window of opportunity for the U.S. to act before competing industrial nations such as Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands, capture the rapidly emerging industrial Near East market for clean technology products. (5) Strong support was voiced by A.I.D Mission staffs, senior host country officials, managers of private and state-owned industries, and leaders of environmental NGOs in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia for a fast-track delivery system for supplying U.S. clean technology products and services to Near East industries. (6) A U.S. government sponsored program will be required if the goal of marketing substantial quantities of U.S. clean technology products to the Near East region is to be met. Technical assistance will be required to implement this program and should consist of (a) an U.S.-based management entity that will direct and support the Near East-based activity; and (b) a regional technical office staffed by U.S. and host country scientific and technical personnel who will assist local industries to define and install clean technology products in their facilities. (Author abstract)