Natural Gas Distribution System Franchise Agreement: Fill & Download for Free

There is lots of buisness opportunities in myanmar.. for locals as well as foreigners take a lookMyanmar being an emerging market where there has been economic isolation and under-investment for the last 50 years presents many opportunities in infrastructure related industries such as:1. TelecomMobile tower constructionNetwork planning and engineeringSubsea cable engineering, laying and installationOptical Fiber engineering, laying and installation to residential, commercial and industrial zonesInternet Service ProvidersPublic Wi-Fi rollout over large area e.g. airport, hotel, convention center, downtown, subway, etc2. Power GenerationConstruction of medium to large-scale hydro and gas-fired power plants in Public-Private-PartnershipsInvestments into the transmission system (e.g. high-voltage transmission lines between the North of Myanmar and Yangon)Realization of small-scale hydro-power projects e.g. to supply a village tractEstablishment of solar energy farms and wind power farmsProvision of efficient and practical solar-power kits to communities currently off-grid as well as of solar-power based solutions (e.g. solar-powered pumps, solar lighting)Upgrading of the current power infrastructure in urban centers and industrial zones3. Building & ConstructionUrban planning, building and managementSEZ planning, building and managementBuilding of transportation system such as airports, sea ports, rails, roads and bridgesEstablishment and retrofitting of industrial parks and supportive infrastructureBuilding of logistics infrastructureBuilding of affordable housing in Yangon, Mandalay and second-tier cities in all states and regions.Restoration of colonial heritage buildings in Downtown Yangon.4. Urban Solutions:Investments into systems for the improvement of public transport in urban agglomerationsEstablishment of parks, facilities for recreation and entertainmentProvision of private healthcare facilitiesEstablishment of private education institutions (e.g. private universities, business schools, certified vocational training)Smart traffic management and road safety solutionsUrban waste managementWater treatment facilities5. Hotel, TourismInvesting in tourist class hotelInvesting in tourism related transport service such as tour buses, limousine, etcInvesting in tourism related novelty programs such as hot air balloons, river cruises, amphibious vessels, etcDeveloping eco-tourism (e.g. development of eco-tourism oriented hotels and lodges along with respective activities such as trekking routes or tours)Building cultural and community-based tourism (e.g. development of shops for the sale of locally produced cultural artifacts)6. Manufacturing – Myanmar manufactured products have been granted preferential tariff under the GSP scheme for import into the United States, European Union, Canada, Japan, Korea and Australia respectively.labour-intensive industries in second-tier cities (e.g. Pathein, Bago, Hpa An) in areas such as production of garments and shoes or assembling of toys and stationary articlesagro-processing industries at the locations of agricultural produce in rural areas (see section on agriculture)Production of building materials strongly demanded by the national construction industry (e.g. cement, bricks, steel, glass, paints, doors, windows etc.)gemstone processing industries (e.g. jade, sapphires, rubies) to establish value-adding production such as design, cutting and polishing inside Myanmar. The sanction preventing the import of jade and precious stones into the United States has been removed on 7th Oct 2016 by President Obama.capital-intensive industries (e.g. automotive, land machinery) particularly at locations with good access to international and national markets (e.g. SEZs)wood-processing industry particularly based on hardwood and bamboo (e.g. furniture production)paper and cardboard industryhigh-tech industries (e.g. in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago and Mandalay) based on local, regional and global demand and the opportunities through the proximity of international airportschemical industries (e.g. pharmaceutical and plastic articles) based on local and regional demandindustrial services, e.g. waste water management, recycling, training7. Agricultural & Farming IndustryDistribution of low-cost irrigation systems to rural communities (e.g. solar-powered, with instruction)Leasing of agricultural tools and machineryDistribution of high-quality seeds for higher yieldsEstablishment of the production of fertilizers, crop protection chemicals etc.Contract farming (i.e. direct sourcing from rural communities (based on partnership agreements)Introducing value-added production / processing based on local agricultural produce (e.g. production of Mango Puree, Dry Fruits, Potato Chips, etc from local produce).Establish packaging / canning industry for agricultural produceEstablishment of research and training institutions or demonstration farms on integrated agriculture, crop sequencing, fertilizer use, organic agriculture and agriculture-related business skill developmentConstruction of warehouses and cold storagesMicrofinance, micro-insurance and trade finance services for farmers8. Aquaculture and FisheriesCapture and aquaculture of different types of fishCapture and aquaculture of shrimp and prawnFish food productionFish and seafood processing facilitiesCooling, canning and packaging facilitiesEstablishment of education and research institutions to broaden knowledge as well as the base of human resources available to the fisheries sector9. Mining – Myanmar is rich in the following minerals: Alum, Amber, Antimony, Barite, Bauxite, Beryl, Bismuth, Cadmium, Chromite, Columbite, Copper, Corundum, Gemstones, Gold, Graphite, Gypsum, Iridium, Iron ores, Manganese, Mica, Molybdenum, Natural gas, Nickel, Ochre Oil, Oil, shale, Phosphates, Silver, Soda, Steatite, Sulphates, Sulphides, Sulphur, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Cinnebar, Coal, Cobalt, Jadeite, Kaolin, Lead, Platinum, salt, Saltpetre, ZincExploration and feasibility studies for projects in mining as well as oil and gasMedium to Large-scale operation of mines and wellsOffshore and onshore opportunities for the exploration and extraction of oil and gasEstablishment of petroleum-based industrial, processing and supportive facilities (e.g. refineries, fertilizers, LPG, LNG)Value-added production based on natural resourcesSupporting industries, such as machinery, maintenance, consulting servicesEstablishment of education and research institutions to broaden knowledge as well as the base of human resources available to this sector10. Forestry-based Industry – Myanmar is rich in the following tree species: Teak, Pyinkado, Padauk, Pine and others. However there is a ban on the export of raw timber that was imposed on 1st April 2014 i.e. Myanmar only allow export of processed timber and not raw timber log.Establishment of wood-processing industry (e.g. furniture production)Expansion of bamboo forests and bamboo-based production (i.e. handicrafts)Rubber-based industries (e.g. tire production in Mon and Karen State)Teak and hardwood plantationsSandalwood-processing industriesCommunity-based forestry11. Services – due to a massive brain drain Myanmar is short in all kinds of skills, technical and managerial people in all industries.Building consultancy – earthquake proof structure, mechanical and electrical engineering, civil and structural engineering, building information modelling, etc.Design consultancy – urban design and master planning consultancy, architectural design, building interior design, retail design, etc.Environmental and social impact consultancy in the area of Oil & Gas, Mining, large scale development projects such as SEZs, airports, seaports, etc.Seismic data acquisition consultancy for the Oil & Gas and Mining industries.Educational and training consultancy for key industries such as Oil & Gas, Mining, Power Generation, Construction, Banking, Hotel & Retail, etc.Agricultural and livestock management and production consultancy and training.Hospital and healthcare planning and management consultancy and training.Banking software applications for Retail, Private, Universal, Wholesale & Lending business functionsE-Government software applications that automate managing of appointment, application for permit or licence, queuing system for government department that interact with citizens, procurement system, etc.Information system required to manage airport operations, port operations and custom/immigration entry and exit pointsReal estate marketing consultancy for high end property.Retail brand franchise opportunity e.g. fast food and restaurant concepts12. Foreigners traditionally cannot be involved in trading i.e. you will not be able to apply for an import or export licence. However recently the Myanmar government pass a notification allowing foreigners to operate trading business in a JV with a Myanmar citizen in the following areas:Construction materials – permitted since 7 July 2016Fertilizers – permitted since 11 Nov 2015Pesticides – permitted since 11 Nov 2015Seeds – permitted since 11 Nov 2015Hospital equipment – permitted since 11 Nov 201513. Foreigners can now invest legally in the following business activities without the need to have a Myanmar citizen as a JV partner i.e. a foreigner can own 100% pf the following economic activitiesProduction and distribution of hybrid seedsProduction and propagation of high yield seeds and local seedsManufacturing of rubber and rubber productsEcotourism14. What can foreigners legally do now in Myanmar without having to look for a Myanmar citizen as JV partners i.e. where you can own the business 100% as a foreigner.Engineering consultancy servicesDesign consultancy servicesConsultancy services in agriculture, fisheries and live stocksBusiness advisory, marketing research and advertising servicesSoftware development servicesOperating a restaurant or cafeOperating a hotel that is ≥ 3 starsOperating a wellness spa

Nothing. Mills just provided, August, 2019, the fourth item that the theory allowed to be developed, and the second item being scrutinized for procurement or lease by the USA Department of Defense."Department of Defense has a Suncell running on its premises as a licensee":by July 21, 2019:according to Navid Sadikali(CEO at The End Of Petroleum) in the first segment at time stamp 0:00 to 17:45 on a talk show at r/BrilliantLightPowerthen scroll down to "End Of Petroleum talks Hydrino Energy - Live on Freedom Talk Live July 21, 2019"UPDATE: I (Frank Acland Moderator at E-Cat World.com) have received the following message from Navid Sadikali:“Request: please modify the article. My interview stated these facts.1) The SunCell is running.2) The DOD is a licensee through ARA.3) The DOD was onsite to see the SunCell.”It is finally happening, the Suncell is being scrutinized towards being leased by a commercial or military client.I communicated with Navid, several months ago. In a radio cast, he mentions something about Brett's book about Mills: "Randell Mills and The Search for Hydrino Energy" at time stamp 2:36 "we wrote about him"..:One of several books about Mills and the Grand Unified Theory-Classical Physics.I have been asked what I am doing to get GUT-CP accepted by the academics in physics. Navid is the one who might be actually doing something about that. By joining forces, that is what will break through the impasse formed by the physics community against GUT-CP and the device on Brilliant Light and Power and on sites such as Evaco LLC as well.GUT-CP is not cold fusion. CF and LENR try to explain their mechanisms using Standard Quantum Mechanics and are all full of various hypotheses that lead nowhere. GUT-CP is purely classical and has three items fully developed1)in 1986 the explanation for the DoD for how their Free Electron Laser works2) in 2007 developed process for manufacturing accordingto the predictions of GUT-CP, diamond thin film for such uses as as a scratch proof cover on cell phones or tablets and as a heat sink substrate on circuit mother board for chip components3) 2012 developed the Millsian® molecular modeller, available for free trail use by download, 100 times more accurate than any similar app made using SQMand at least 3 more items in development, one of which is the Suncell, which is being scrutinized by the USA DoD:4) finished proof of pronciple for the SUncell in 2000, and thefully functional and finely tuned and controlled version in May 2020, the Suncell the second item being considered by the DoD for procurement or lease, which item is being developed based on the predictions of GUT-CP,5) the Hydrino, fully validated in April -May 2020 is patented in many processes and devices since 2000 and is used as the mechanism that drives the Suncell:Randell L. Mills Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications6) the end point device using the Suncell’s ash, Hydrino’s or dark matter, from which indestructible plastics are being developed for us in the structure of that end point item and which end point item is to be powered by the first viable antigravity device, which is being developed by Huub Bakker of Massey University, NZ , in collaboration with Randell L. Mills, which device was patented as :FIFTH-FORCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROPULSIONWO1995032021A1 - Apparatus and method for providing an antigravitational force - Google Patentswhich antigravity device is mentioned in general terms in a university lecture at time stamp 00:29:08:20161019 Introduction to the Grand Unified Theory of Classical Physics_001What are all those patents validations and experiments and fully developed and commercially used items, if not proof or at least some indication of the accuracy of using GUT-CP and the Hydrino as a subset or prediction made since 1999, under that theory?The case for Millsian physicsNASA Takes a Flyer on Hydrinosfresno state lecture randell millsAs an update, this answer was flagged by someone hostile to the theory of Mills and tried to have this answer collapsed. This answer was eventually allowed to stay un-collapsed, since the one complaining did not provide a specific reason to have the answer censored.This attempt at censoring this answer begs the question, why? If the theory is as bad as some claim, or even a scam, why are not other, equally suspect theories not being attacked so strongly. Yet Mills theory is the only theory so singled out for strong censoring. The reason is that GUT-CP presents a threat to the some that are using SQM to make large incomes or gaining prestige, as in developing such devices and or related experiments, as controlled fusion and quantum computing. Both are dead end projects since the physics used, to develop these, is itself a dead end. In the Sun it is gravity that draws nucleons together, exactly centre on centre, very easily to very successfully attain fusion, while the nucleons in Earth based devices are pushed together, using magnetic confinement, which ends up doing something like trying to push wet noodles together; in quantum qbits, these particles always de-cohere a fraction of a second after the device starts to “compute” actually ending in non-computing anything. This is due to all devices using SQM, as a guide, which guide is based on imagined then assumed and therefore, at based are non-existant mechanism of waves. This was a mechanism that was then just a lucky guess about a seemingly viable mechanism that seemed to explain the 2 slit experiment. Then, using what was basically a wild guess, to be the base on which SQM has laid its foundation on. It seems to explain the 2 slit experiment, in the same way that square wheels might have been considered towards building a car, at at a time when wheels were an unknown. Then, finding the square wheels seemed worked ok if pushed hard enough, was decided on for use in building a car on top of that. Later, when industry was starting to get under way, cars were seen as having the potential of being developed for rapid transportation, but the cars are found to be difficult to move at the required speeds. Instead of looking back through its development, to find where the problem might be, the wheels are considered as off limits for such scrutiny and instead the motor is considered as the most likely place for finding the problem. The motor is looked at to see how to make it more and more powerful to make the car go as fast as the transportation needs require. This is similar to what is being considered currently, to find out why qbit are decohering, then using the qbits in a different, more robust way. This, as if the problem started with the qbits themselves, and not at an earlier development in SQM when waves were an assumed mechanism, that was assumed to exist in trying to explain the 2 slit experiment. The solution, in SQM, is then to attempt to make the qbits ever more robust, with current efforts ending making large complex devices that try to ensure the qbits do not decohere.This has resulted in quantum computing having purported successes in developing all of the peripheral items, such sotware, fudiciary concerns, building being funded and built for research into quantum computing, andall the rest, except for the hardware, circuit try in electronic chips that houses and makes up the q-bits themselves. It might be better to look all the way back to where the problem is known to have a big assumption involved, when waves were accepted as the best explanation for just one particular experiment. That was at the time when qbits and their use was not even dreamed of, but the waves were ok'd for use everywhere and in an inviolable way.I did all of the surveying of the topic completely independent of Mill and his associates. I read copies of all the original papers and people at the institutions where all of the original data and records and peer reviewed papers involved originate then read those papers and communicated with theose weho were closest related to those papers or who had access to the original records relating to such sources, to get at their side of the story in all this.The sources I have used are:L. A. Rozema, A. Darabi, D. H. Mahler, A. Hayat, Y. Soudagar, A. M. Steinberg, “Violation of Heisenberg’s Measurement-Disturbance Relationship by Weak Measurements,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 100404 – Published 6 September 2012; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 189902 (2012)Thomas E. Stolper, mathematician and Political analyst and Author of “America’s Newton, The reception of the work of Randell Mills, in historical and contemporary context”,Herman Haus, Institute profesor of Electronic Engineering,(1986). "On the radiation from point charges". American Journal of Physics. 54 (12): 1126–1129. Bibcode:1986AmJPh..54.1126H which paper was given to Mills by Haus used to develop the same model of the electron as developed by HausThe USA Department of Defense, and physics academia which accepted the FEL explanation provided by Haus,Philip Payne, Principal Scientist, Princeton University, Physicist in charge of using the topological predictions of the Grand Unified Theory-Classical Physics for use in developing the Millsian Molecular Modeller,Brett Holverstott: Science Philosopher, head of the development team of the Millsian Molecular ModellerGerrit Kroesen, Professor of Plasma Physics, Eindhoven Technologicl University, independently tested the Hydrino reaction and found no explanation for the reaction using SQM,NASA independently tested the hydrino reaction by sub contract to:Anthony J. Marchese, a mechanical engineering professor specializing in propulsion at Rowan University, with the conclusion being indeterminate of the cause of the reaction. “ From what I can tell from BlackLight's studies – and they've been pretty good about letting others outside verify their excess energy – there are some things going on that people are having trouble understanding.”Marchese, a PhD engineer from Princeton, says NASA granted him the money to study the feasibility of the BlackLight Rocket for six months. None of the NASA money will go to Mills or BlackLight Power, Marchese says, and his work will be done independently.Marchese's colleague at the Rowan College of Engineering, associate professor of electrical engineering Peter Mark Jansson, researched the BlackLight process while employed by Mills' backer Atlantic Energy, now part of the utility Conectiv.Besides Conectiv, Mills other subsidiaries using the theory are Evaco LLC, and Millsian Corp. The main company Brilliant Light and Power is growing exponentially since then.Scams just die out and disappear after getting a few million dollars and its perpetrators also disappear.Mills is still around and has all the earmarks of someone very successful, and well liked by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, who themselves granted him a few million dollars. Chambers of commerce are made up of people who are not known to be taken in by any kind of scams, but are on the other hand always ready to promote any business that has shown great promise in producing successful goods and services to the local community, over a long period of time and which businesses are headed by equally good willed people. In the case of BrLP those people are:DAVID BENNETTMr. Bennett was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2018.Consultant – Strategic management consulting for growth businesses in aerospace, transportation and alternative energy field. Focused on startups through mid-sized firms.Mr. Bennett was CEO of Proterra electric bus startup and led the firm from prototype design through national validation and successful commercial launch. Raised funds from key investors, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, GM Ventures, and Mitsui & Co. Global Investment.Mr. Bennett worked with Eaton for ten years in a series of operating and corporate roles. His most recent roles were VP Business Development Industrial Sector and President Eaton’s Vehicle Group in Asia Pacific. The Vehicle Group AP business, headquartered in Shanghai, has operations in five countries providing full design, product development, production, sales and service solutions for a wide range of automotive and commercial vehicle customers.Previously, Mr. Bennett held a variety of general management positions in Europe and North America for the Truck business. He was also a general manager in Eaton Aerospace.Prior to joining Eaton in 2001, Mr. Bennett worked with Honeywell (formerly AlliedSignal) and General Electric in a variety of general management, operational, program management and technical roles for high technology aerospace and industrial businesses.Mr. Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and materials from Duke University and a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University.Emilio Icaza ChavezMr. Icaza Chavez was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2018.Mr. Icaza Chavez is a co-founder and current Chairman of the Board of Aspel, a Mexico-based company which is the market leader in small business accounting software both in Mexico and in Colombia. Telmex bought an initial stake in Aspel in 2000; since then the relationship has evolved and Grupo Financiero Inbursa now owns a majority stake in Aspel.From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Icaza Chavez worked at GBM, one of the top brokerage houses in Mexico, where he was Co-Executive Director, in charge of Corporate Finance, Research and Investor Relations.In addition to his continued role at Aspel, Mr. Icaza Chavez co-founded Fusion de Ideas in 2008, a Private Equity investment vehicle with current investments in Energy, Software, Real Estate Development, Food, and other industries.Mr. Icaza Chavez is the main shareholder of Enextra Energía, a Mexican corporation which has signed a licensing agreement with Brilliant Light Power, Inc. to serve energy customers in certain industries within the Mexican Territory.Mr. Icaza Chavez was awarded a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in Mexico City.JEREMY HUXMr. Hux was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2016.Mr. Hux is President of HCP Advisors, based in San Francisco, California. For nearly 20 years, he has advised Technology and Clean Technology companies on equity, debt, and strategic transactions.Prior to HCP Advisors, Mr. Hux spent nine years with Credit Suisse. He was a Managing Director and Global Head of Credit Suisse’s Clean Technology Investment Banking practice. In addition to running the Clean Technology effort at Credit Suisse, he worked extensively with semiconductor and storage companies. Mr. Hux joined Credit Suisse after approximately eight years with Morgan Stanley. At Morgan Stanley, he was Head of West Coast Clean Technology and also advised companies across the technology spectrum, including storage, networking, hardware, semiconductors, and contract design and manufacturing. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he advised Media and Entertainment companies at SG Cowen.Mr. Hux earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Vanderbilt University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.DR. RANDELL L. MILLSDr. Mills, Founder and principal stockholder of Brilliant Light Power, Inc., has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and President since 1991.Dr. Mills has authored nine books, participated in over 50 presentations at professional meetings, and authored and co-authored over 100 papers regarding the field of energy technology that have been published in peer-reviewed journals of international repute. Dr. Mills has received patents or filed patent applications in the following areas: (1) Millsian computational chemical design technology based on a revolutionary approach to solving atomic and molecular structures; (2) magnetic resonance imaging; (3) Mossbauer cancer therapy (Nature, Hyperfine Interactions); (4) Luminide class of drug delivery molecules; (5) genomic sequencing method, and (6) artificial intelligence. A thorough description of the Company’s technology and Dr. Mills’ underlying atomic theory is published in a book entitled The Grand Unified Theory of Classical Physics.Dr. Mills was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Franklin & Marshall College in 1982, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from Harvard Medical School in 1986. Following a year of graduate work in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Mills began his research in the field of energy technology.Roger S. Ballentine – CEO Green Strategies Inc.William Beck – Managing Director and Global Head of Engineering and Sustainability Services Credit SuisseH. McIntyre Gardner – Chairman of the Board, Spirit Airlines, Inc.Dr. Ray Gogel – President, Avanti EnterprisesJim Hearty – Former Partner of Clough Capital PartnersPhil Johnson – Former SVP – Intellectual Property Policy & Strategy of Johnson & Johnson – Law Department, Former SVP and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel of Johnson & JohnsonMatt Key – Commercial Director Charge.autoBill Maurer – SVP ABM IndustriesJeffrey S. McCormick – Chairman and Managing General Partner of SaturnDavid Meredith – Chief Operations and Product Officer at Rackspace Hosting, Inc., President of Private Cloud & Managed Hosting at Rackspace Hosting, Inc.Bill Palatucci – Special Counsel Gibbons LawAmb R. James Woolsey – Former Director of the CIA under President Bill ClintonColin Bannon – Chief Architect BT Global ServicesMichael Harney – Managing Director, BTIGStan O’Neal – Formerly Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Former Board Member of General Motors, Currently on the Board of ArconicRoger S. BallentineRoger Ballentine is the President of Green Strategies Inc., where he provides management consulting services to corporate and financial sector clients on sustainability strategy; investment and transaction evaluation and project development execution in the clean energy sector; and the integration of energy and environmental policy considerations into business strategy. He is also a Venture Partner with Arborview Capital LLC, a private equity firm making growth capital investments in the clean energy and energy efficiency sectors. Previously, Roger was a senior member of the White House staff, serving President Bill Clinton as Chairman of the White House Climate Change Task Force and Deputy Assistant to the President for Environmental Initiatives. Prior to being named Deputy Assistant, Roger was Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs where he focused on energy and environmental issues. Before joining the White House, Roger was a partner at Patton Boggs LLP.Over the years, Roger has acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge of the energy sector, financial markets, and environmental business practices as well as the politics, players and trends in the energy and environmental space. Using his expertise and deep relationships, Roger has helped clients develop better business strategies, make better investment decisions, negotiate new business partnerships, build critical alliances with stakeholders, and devise impactful government and public affairs strategies.Roger currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Clean Capital LLC, 8 Rivers Capital, and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), where he was a founding Board member in 2001. He is a member of Ingersoll Rand’s Advisory Council on Sustainability. Roger also serves on the Selection Committee for the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Zayed Future Energy Prize and is the Co-Chair of the Aspen Institute’s Clean Energy Forum.In addition to being a frequent speaker, media commentator and writer, he has been a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School teaching in the area of energy and climate law and a Senior Fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington D.C.Roger is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Connecticut and a Cum Laude graduate of the Harvard Law School. He is a member of the Connecticut, District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court bars.William BeckWilliam Beck is a Managing Director within the Group Business Support Services (GBSS) Department of Credit Suisse. William is the Global Head of Critical Engineering & Sustainability, based in New York. He leads a team responsible for developing and implementing strategy and governance for the Bank’s Innovation, Energy management, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing & Fire (MEPF) design, Engineering Operations Maintenance, Environmental and Sustainability integration as well as the Data Center Strategy programs. His mandate also includes the bank’s Global Energy Strategy and Procurement integration. Bill has 25+ years of experience including the strategic planning, development, design, construction and operations of mission critical and non-mission critical facilities. William is a licensed Professional Engineer, Master Electrician and Energy procurement specialist. He holds a BSEE degree and a MS degree in Management, both from Fairleigh Dickenson University.H. McIntyre GardnerMr. Gardner was the head of Merrill Lynch’s Private Client business in the Americas and also the Global Bank Group within the firm’s Global Wealth Management Group until early 2008. As head of Private Client Americas, Mac was responsible for the region’s extensive network of more than 600 advisory offices; private banking and investment services to ultra-high net worth clients; the group’s middle markets business; investment and insurance products; distribution and business development; and corporate and diversified financial services.For the Global Bank Group, Mr. Gardner was Chairman of Merrill Lynch Bank USA and responsible for Merrill Lynch’s consumer and commercial banking and cash management products. This included distribution and sales of all bank products and services primarily delivered into the marketplace through Financial Advisors. These activities encompassed retail deposit products and services, credit and debit cards, commercial cash management, residential mortgage lending, securities-based/small business/high-net-worth structured/middle-market lending, and community development lending and investing.Mr. Gardner’s 13-year career at Merrill Lynch also included roles in strategy, Finance Director for the corporation, and as an investment banker specializing in high yield finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring.Mr. Gardner has also served as the principal of a financial advisory services firm and as the president of two consumer products companies. He has served on the Board of Directors of Spirit Airlines, Inc. since 2010 and has served as Chairman since August 2013. He also serves on the North American Strategic Advisory Board of Oliver Wyman. Mr. Gardner is a 1983 graduate of Dartmouth College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion.Dr. Ray GogelDr. Ray Gogel started his career in academia, where he obtained his PhD with distinction in philosophy from Drew University after studying for four years in Germany with leading Continental philosophers. Ray’s background in philosophy has permeated the rest of his career, driving a strong and abiding interest in forward-thinking leadership and business models, as well as innovation and disruptive technology. Ray moved from academia to a career in the utility and power industry, progressing through a variety of operational, leadership and business development roles at Public Service Electric & Gas Co in New Jersey, before he left to join IBM as a solution architect, where he designed, sold and delivered IBM’s first Business Process Outsourcing transaction (PG&E Energy Services). Gogel progressed within IBM to become VP—Client Services, responsible for IBM’s largest utility customer and P&L, before joining Xcel Energy, headquartered in Minneapolis.At Xcel, Ray reported directly to the CEO as CIO and later in the expanded role of CAO and President of Customer and Enterprise Solutions, where he managed the core areas of IT, Customer Care/Marketing, Human Resources and Utility Innovation. During his tenure, Xcel received recognition as a premier IT organization in InformationWeek’s Top 500 Awards, placing in the Top 20 for 3 years and twice winning their Business Technology Optimization award. Ray was featured in ComputerWorld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders. Xcel’s unique outsourcing model and use of Strategic Advisory Boards has been the subject of various publications and an early driving force for transformational outsourcing in the utility industry. In 2006, Xcel was awarded the prestigious Edison award from the Edison Electric Institute for its ‘Utility of the Future’ initiatives in IT, as well as Utility of the Year in 2009 from EnergyBiz Magazine for its unique and pioneering ‘SmartGridCity™’ efforts.Ray left Xcel Energy to serve as President and COO of Current Group, an innovative US-based start-up Smart Grid company specializing in cutting-edge smart grid operations and analytics with clients in NA, Europe and AP. He also served as Global Head of Smart Grid for Nokia-Siemens Networks as they explored entry into the Smart Grid adjacency. Ray spent two years as a Managing Director in Accenture’s Resources Group, working as a market-maker for strategic pursuits.In 2014, Ray co-founded USGRDCO with Jay Worenklein and David Mohler and served as President and COO. USGRDCO’s objective is to upgrade the distribution systems of America’s utilities and accelerate the benefits of grid modernization through commercial microgrids and distributed energy resources, thereby offering utilities alternative paths to more efficient, reliable, resilient and secure power systems. Ray and his team pioneered a series of microgrid archetypes and designs, suitable for utilities, private communities and smart cities, which USGRDCO believes represents the future of the North American grid. Ray left his COO role at USGRDCO to found his own consulting group, Avanti Enterprises, Inc., where he provides strategic consulting and business planning to companies in the power sector.During his career, Ray has served on IBM’s Strategic Advisory Board, The World Economic Forum, the Colorado Smart Grid Task Force, EEI’s Smart Grid Workshop Group, the Board of MedicAlert International, Denver’s United Way and Goodwill.Jim HeartyGraduate of Williams College and The Advanced Management Program of the Harvard Business School.Jim began as a bond trader at First National Bank of Boston, where he eventually ran the Bond Department, (the largest underwriter of Tax Exempt Debt in New England with a significant business in US Government and Agency Securities and Money Market securities). In the early 1990’s, Jim was the Assistant Secretary of Administration and Finance for Governor Bill Weld and responsible for all Bond Financings for the Commonwealth and Agencies and Authorities where the Governor served on the Board.Over the course of his career he also served as: Board Member of the Public Securities Association and a Board Member and Chairman of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, Board Member of the Mass HFA, The Mass Industrial Finance Agency, The Massachusetts Land Bank and the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board (The State Pension System) among others. Remained on the Board of the Pension System and co-through the terms of Governors Weld, Cellucci, Swift and Romney.Working at Lehman Brothers as a banker in the Tax Exempt Division, Jim was responsible for Business in New England and grew the franchise substantially, lead managed significant issues in all New England State. Became the Head of Public Finance in 1998, and Co-Head of the Tax Exempt Division including all trading and underwriting in 2000, and grew the Business substantially.In 2002, he was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Pension Reserve, and served for two years as ED and CIO of the $70 Billion Pension Fund. Then in 2005, Jim was a Partner of Relational Investors, one of the original “Activist” Institutional Investors, and grew the business from $1.5 Billion to $5 Billion Dollars in AUM. Significant Engagements included Home Depot, Sovereign Bancorp, Hewlett-Packard and Sprint. In 2008, he became a Partner of Clough Capital Partners and was responsible for fundraising in the Institutional Market, where he grew the AUM in our long/short fund from $500 Million to $2.0 Billion.Jim is married to Doris Blodgett since 1975, 3 sons, Resident of Boston.Phil JohnsonPhil is currently a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (“IPO”), Co-Chapter Editor of the Sedona Conference WG10 biopharmaceutical patent litigation project, and member of the board of the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Phil recently retired as Senior Vice President – Intellectual Property Policy & Strategy of Johnson & Johnson – Law Department. Prior to April of 2014, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel of Johnson & Johnson where he managed a worldwide group of about 270 IP professionals, of whom over 100 were patent and trademark attorneys.Before joining Johnson & Johnson in 2000, Phil was a senior partner and co-chair of IP litigation at Woodcock Washburn in Philadelphia. During his 27 years in private practice, Phil counseled independent inventors, startups, universities and businesses of all sizes in all aspects of intellectual property law. His diverse practice pertained to advances in a wide variety of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, consumer products, semi-conductor fabrication, automated manufacturing, materials and waste management. During his time in private practice, Phil served as trial counsel in countless IP disputes, including cases resolved by arbitration, bench trials, jury trials and appeals to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, many of which resulted in reported decisions.During his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Phil served terms on the Medical Device & Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical Group Operating Committees responsible for managing J&J’s many businesses in these fields, while also serving on the senior management team responsible for J&J’s legal organization, which has now grown to over 450 attorneys located in 70+ locations in 35+ countries.Phil’s has previously served as the Chair of the Board of American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation, as President of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, as President of INTERPAT, as President of the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, as President of the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation, as co-founder and member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform, as Chair of PhRMA’s IP Focus Group and as Board Member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.Phil’s has previously served as the Chair of the Board of American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation, as President of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, as President of INTERPAT, as President of the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, as President of the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation, as co-founder and member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform, as Chair of PhRMA’s IP Focus Group and as Board Member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.Phil has frequently testified before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees about patent law reform and, more recently, abusive patent litigation. Phil served as a member of Chief Judge Michel’s Advisory Council on Patent Reform, and was recognized in the Congressional Record as a member of the Minority Whip Jon Kyle’s “Kitchen Cabinet” for the America Invents Act (“AIA”). Thereafter, Phil served as IPO’s representative on the ABA-AIPLA-IPO committee of six experts (“COSE”) formed at Director Kappos’ request to propose regulations to the USPTO for implementing the PGR-IPR post-grant proceedings created by the AIA.Phil co-authored “Compensatory Damages Issues In Patent Infringement Cases, A Pocket Guide for Federal District Court Judges,” published by the Federal Judicial Center, and has served that Center as a faculty member on its IP-related judicial education programming. Phil was also featured in the Landslide Publication March/April 2013 issue. Most recently, Phil authored “The America Invents Act on Its Fifth Anniversary: A Promise Thus Far Only Partially Fulfilled,” published on 9/15/2016 in IP Watchdog.Phil’s awards include the Woodcock Prize for Legal Excellence (1997); the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association’s Jefferson Medal (2013); the Philadelphia Intellectual Property Association’s Distinguished Intellectual Property Practitioner award (May, 2017), induction into the international IP Hall of Fame by the IP Hall of Fame Academy (June, 2017) and the Intellectual Property Owners Association “Carl B. Horton President’s Distinguished Service Award” (September, 2017).Phil received his Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude with distinction in biology from Bucknell University, and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.Matt KeyMatt has been changing business through the innovative use of technology throughout his career. He has successfully transformed how businesses approach the market and enabled the creation of repeatable and sophisticated services and solutions whilst bringing in many new clients.Prior to Everynet and now Charge (a new connected electric truck manufacturer) he ran the Global IoT Business for Vodafone and before led the Enterprise division in Cable & Wireless Worldwide. Other experience includes working for Siemens IT Solutions and Services, Capita and Barclays.Bill MaurerBill Maurer is the Senior Vice President of ABM Industries. Mr. Maurer is responsible for managing the Energy portfolio for ABM. ABM Industries is a best-in-class provider of Integrated Facility Services which include – Energy Solutions, Mechanical Service and Construction, Facility Management, Janitorial, Security, and Parking Services for building owners and operators in North America and selected international locations. ABM is one of the nation’s most successful single source providers of high value facilities management and building optimization services.Mr. Maurer has over 20 years of experience in the Energy Industry where he has held various and increasing levels of management and responsibility. Most recently, Mr. Maurer joined ABM in 2006. Under his guidance, the Energy Solutions division has maintained exponential growth year after year. To do this Mr. Maurer had to completely re-organize and re-structure the existing energy division. There were significant changes made in personnel, market focus and overall strategy towards the Energy Business. Through the changes that were made in Energy offerings, ABM is now able to offer to their clients a unique program to provide cost savings that allow them to fund needed improvements to reduce energy consumption, reduce environmental impact and comply with government regulations. Not only has the revenue increased substantially in the Energy division, but the unique solutions delivered by ABM and the markets in which were focused on has also increased dramatically.With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Maurer’s career path began at the Systems and Services Division of Johnson Controls, an internationally renowned building technology and manufacturing leader. At Johnson Controls, he spent nearly 8 years in sales and management positions where he was a top performer with a track record of consistent top performances in growth, sales achievement, profitability and leadership.Over the past 21 years, Mr. Maurer has been involved with over $900M in Energy Saving Programs to customers. He is a recognized leader in the industry by his co-workers and competition alike. He is involved with leadership positions in multiple industry related organizations – NAESCO (Board Member), BOMA, ASHRAE (Former Treasurer) and Energy Services Coalition. Mr. Maurer has been involved in multiple speaking engagements at industry/ market events and The White House. Mr. Maurer is also involved with and holds leadership positions within 2 Cancer Fund Organizations.On a personal note, Mr. Maurer has a wife of 20 years and two children (16 old boy and 14 old girl). They have lived in Milford, MI area for the past 11 years. He enjoys playing competitive hockey, soccer and golf. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting – specifically pheasant and duck. Reading financial, motivational and educational books is a daily practice.Jeffrey S. McCormickJeffrey is the Chairman and Managing General Partner of Saturn. He founded Saturn in 1993 and began financing early stage companies including, the extremely successful business to business e-commerce company, FreeMarkets (FMKT, acquired by ARBA); the largest U.S. biodiesel company, Twin Rivers Technologies (acquired by FELDA); email marketing company, Constant Contact (CTCT); and the extremely popular Boston Duck Tours. Saturn Partners II and III, have invested in cutting-edge technology companies in healthcare, education, energy, IT and environmental businesses.Jeffrey has over 25 years of experience as an investment banker, entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He currently serves on the boards including BioWish, Knopp Biosciences, Third Pole, and XNG Energy.Jeffrey is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he received an MBA in Finance and a BS in Biology. He was a Collegiate Scholar Athlete, first year team All-American lacrosse player, and a captain of Syracuse’s first NCAA championship lacrosse team.Jeffrey is a Vice Chair of the CitiCenter for the Performing Arts. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee of the School of Management at Syracuse University and is Founding Principal Financier of the Sean McDonough Charities for Children. He is actively involved with the Trinity Church in Boston.Jeffrey is married with three children.David MeredithDavid Meredith has been Chief Operations and Product Officer at Rackspace Hosting, Inc. since January 2018. Mr. Meredith’s responsibilities include P&L oversight of the vision, operational and administrative direction of Rackspace’s product lines, operations, technology and service delivery functions. Mr. Meredith has been the President of Private Cloud & Managed Hosting at Rackspace Hosting, Inc. since June 1, 2017. Prior to joining Rackspace, Mr. Meredith served as the President of global data centers at CenturyLink. He has led international managed hosting businesses in roles including senior manager, president, Chief Executive Officer and board director. His experience spans a range of industry verticals from venture-backed firms such as NeuPals in China to business units of large public companies such as Capital One, CGI and VeriSign. He served as Senior Vice President and Global General Manager for Technology Solutions at CenturyLink, Inc. As an industry thought leader, he has provided insights for leading media outlets such as BusinessWeek, USA Today and The Washington Post. CIO Magazine, Wireless Week and The Huffington Post have published his articles. He has spoken on industry topics for NBC’s Carson Daly Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, Seoul Broadcasting System, PBS’ Nightly Business Report and at analyst forums such as Gartner, Bloomberg, Yankee and Cantor Fitzgerald. In December 2016, the respected Uptime Institute recognized his contributions to the Industry by selecting him for their Change Leader Award. He was named “Top 40 under 40 – Best and Brightest Leaders” by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2008. Mr. Meredith graduated with honors from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and he earned a Masters in IT management from the University of Virginia, where he serves on the UVA advisory board.Bill PalatucciBill Palatucci is one of the state’s most prominent and widely respected attorneys, with a reputation for strategic planning and advice regarding complex public policy and communications initiatives. He has been named among NJBIZ’s “100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business” every year that the issue has been published.Most recently, following the Republican National Convention through Election Day, Mr. Palatucci served as General Counsel to the Presidential Transition Committee of President Donald J. Trump. In this role, he was responsible for all legal matters related to ethics compliance and contracts and agreements between such agencies as the U.S. Department of Justice, General Services Administration, and the White House. Mr. Palatucci coordinated extensively with internal and external members assisting the transition, providing all necessary legal advice and guidance to facilitate the Transition Committee’s interactions with the Trump-Pence campaign, federal departments and agencies, local, state, and federal officials, think tanks, outside experts and consultants, and various other entities and individuals with whom the Transition Committee engaged with during the pre-Election Day time period.Mr. Palatucci also served as General Counsel to Governor Christie’s presidential campaign. In 2013, he served as Chairman of the Governor’s reelection campaign and as Co-Chair for the Governor’s Inaugural Committee.In 2010, Mr. Palatucci was elected the Republican National Committeeman for New Jersey, and, for the past 30 years, he has had a hand in some of the most important state and federal elections in New Jersey. Over this time, he has led the reelection campaigns of President Ronald Reagan, President George H. W. Bush, and Governor Tom Kean, and he served as a senior advisor to Governor George W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 2000. Mr. Palatucci was also the principal consultant for Christine Todd Whitman’s run for the U.S. Senate in 1990.Amb R. James WoolseyAmbassador R. James Woolsey was the Director of Central Intelligence for the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1993 to 1995. He’s been appointed by Presidents to positions of leadership during the administrations of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. In a town riven by partisan divisions, Ambassador Woolsey is widely respected on both sides of the aisle.A national security and energy specialist, he is the Chancellor of the Institute of World Politics and Chair of the Leadership Council of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and Chairs the United States Energy Security Council. He is also a Venture Partner with Lux Capital and chairs the Strategic Advisory Group of the Paladin Capital Group, a multi-stage private equity firm.He is a frequent contributor of articles to major publications, and gives public speeches and media interviews on the subjects of energy, foreign affairs, defense, and intelligence.This just a partial list of the high powered personnel sources I have used. Mills himself is just one of the thousands involved so far.

Sub-Saharan Africa's commitment to free institutions was severely tested in 1992, as famine, civil war, and continued economic stagnation pushed many nations to the limit. Yet most countries continue to cling to the dream of democratic freedom and free enterprise prosperity. Even in nations ravaged by the region's worst drought in decades, governments have largely rejected pressures to revert to their previous state- directed economic philosophy. With the drought having broken, U.S. exporters and investors are now poised to profit from renewed African economic growth and the resumption of efforts to rebuild the region's basic infrastructure.Africa's quiet but persistent evolution toward democratic government has been overshadowed recently by gripping human tragedies in Somalia, Liberia, Zaire, and Angola. In those unfortunate countries, unstable authoritarian regimes have given way to anarchy and violence rather than representative rule. Amid horrifying images of war, famine, disease, and starvation, we tend to lose sight of the determination with which most African countries are striving to reform their political and economic systems in favor of pluralism and free enterprise. The democratization process has developed strong roots in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is now spreading and flowering throughout the region.Within the last three years alone, more than 15 countries have held multi-party elections, some for the first time. This year and next promise a genuine watershed for African reform, as South Africa and Nigeria-the region's most populous countries and largest economies-join the democratization movement. Adding Africa's two giants to the democracy rolls will give new impetus to the process throughout Africa, and could open new commercial opportunities in the region's dominant economies.U.S. exports 1992-$5.4 billionU.S. imports 1992-$12.0 billionSouth Africa will soon establish its first multi-racial executive body, and set a date for election of a constituent assembly to write a new democratic constitution. The African National Congress will then call for the lifting of most remaining foreign economic sanctions against South Africa, including state and local regulations that discourage American firms from trading or investing there. Repeal of these sanctions will remove the major remaining impediment to full participation by U.S. companies in Africa's largest and most dynamic market. Post-apartheid South Africa will provide a regional hub for exporting and investing throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.Nigeria, home to one of every four Africans, will elect its first civilian government after nearly a decade of military rule. An appointed civilian Transitional Council is already performing many day-to-day government functions. The council is now working to outline an economic program for the elected government that emphasizes sustainable growth, fiscal discipline, and accountability.Although the transformation to pluralistic systems is often disruptive in the short term, democratic institutions are essential to sustainable, equitable economic development. Democracy brings predictability, accountability, and the rule of law, which are indispensable in building domestic and foreign business confidence.Democratic transformation in Africa has been accompanied by economic structural reform based on principles of the free market. In the last decade, some 30 countries have instituted adjustment programs aimed at liberalizing their economies and building free enterprise. These programs typically involve measures to increase fiscal discipline, cut internal subsidies, devalue national currencies, divest state-owned enterprises, and liberalize trade and investment regulations.The results of Africa's economic reform decade are clear. A World Bank survey found that African nations pursuing reforms have experienced accelerated GDP growth rates, lowered inflation, declining fiscal deficits, and expanding exports. As the accompanying articles illustrate, structural adjustment also has led to new market opportunities and a revitalization of economic activity throughout the region.U.S. Firms Reap BenefitsU.S. firms continue to share in the benefits of Africa's new political and economic freedom. U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa expanded 12 percent in 1992 to $5.4 billion, the highest total in a decade. Led by corn and wheat, food grains registered the biggest increases, due in large measure to the devastating drought in East and Southern Africa. Overall, agricultural sales accounted for 20 percent of total U.S. shipments to Africa, double the proportion of a year earlier.U.S. suppliers also registered strong sales of aircraft and parts, oil and gas field equipment, construction machinery, motor vehicles, computers, electric generators, telecommunications equipment, industrial chemicals, and farm machinery. In view of Africa's drought-induced need for increased food imports, it is encouraging that U.S. capital equipment sales continued to perform well. These shipments indicate that U.S. suppliers are not merely helping the region to cope with its emergency needs, but are also making invaluable contributions to Africa's long-term productive capacity. As African countries strive to develop their infrastructures, exports of U.S. capital goods should show continued strength, along with medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and pesticides, paper, and used apparel. Long a prominent sales category, used textiles and apparel registered nearly 40 percent growth last year.Several factors are working to boost U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa. Much needed rains have finally broken the drought, and agricultural prospects have improved accordingly. This will free up scarce foreign exchange for the purchase of sorely needed capital equipment. American products enjoy a respected reputation in the region, and favorable exchange rates enhance their competitiveness against Japanese and European products. At the same time, the U.S. economy has strengthened, which could help spur demand for Africa's primary commodity exports. U.S. purchases from Africa, dominated by crude oil and nonferrous metals, totaled just over $12 billion in 1992. The United States buys 15 to 20 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa's total exports, and a vibrant U.S. economy is essential to African growth prospects.U.S. government policy toward Africa further boosts American commercial interests. Federal agencies undertook a review of U.S. policy in the region during 1992, in light of the new circumstances of the post-Cold War world. The resulting policy places added emphasis on commercial concerns, by insisting that U.S. firms be given equal access to Africa's commercial opportunities. In light of U.S. interest in expanding private sector relationships with the region, the policy emphasizes the need for open markets, non-discriminatory treatment, and sincere efforts by African countries to liberalize trade and investment rules.The United States pursues these objectives bilaterally with the African nations, and multilaterally through the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Both banks are major sources of finance for African infrastructure development projects, and the Department of Commerce has assigned representatives to the banks to ensure that U.S. companies participate more fully in project procurements.The outlook for African prosperity-as well as U.S. participation in achieving it-is not free of obstacles, however. Ensuring growing markets for Africa's exports is the best guarantee that the region will share in world prosperity, but global economic circumstances give cause for concern. Even as the U.S. recovery spurs demand for African exports, recession in Europe and Japan offsets some of Africa's gain. The dollar's low exchange rate boosts U.S. sales but limits the growth of African export revenues, since most of its exportable commodities are dollar-denominated in world markets.Africa's future prosperity is further threatened by continued deadlock in the GATT Uruguay Round. Several key issues in the Round- trade in agricultural goods, tropical and natural resource-based products, and textiles-are matters of intense interest to African exporters. A successful Round is important to ensure Africa's continued access to its traditional markets in the developed world. Without an agreement, global economic progress will be slowed, and Africa could be harmed by increased protectionism.With the end of the Cold War, Africa is no longer a contested venue between rival ideologies. However, the opening of new markets in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and new opportunities arising from the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have sharpened competition with Africa's efforts to attract American business. President Clinton has referred to the U.S. economy as the world's strongest engine of growth and progress. Nowhere is the strength of that engine more sorely needed than in Africa. Precisely because Africa's needs are so vast, the U.S. private sector can make a unique contribution to the region in its efforts to build free enterprise prosperity.BENINNew Democracy Works to Correct Previous ErrorsBy Debra L. HenkeBenin is a struggling new democracy making a concerted effort to correct deficiencies in the macroeconomic policies followed by the previous Marxist government. The new government of Benin has focused on rebuilding a commercial banking sector, privatizing state enterprises, liberalizing trade regulations, and creating a positive investment climate. Benin began the first phase of an International Monetary Fund structural adjustment program in 1989 and entered the second phase in 1991. After declining in 1989, real gross domestic product rebounded in 1990 and 1991, rising by 3.7 and 4.7 percent, respectively.International trade accounts for a significant portion of Benin's GDP and has traditionally been centered on re-exports to neighboring countries, particularly the large Nigerian market. Benin's economic health is closely linked to that of its giant neighbor, Nigeria, and recent cutbacks in imports by Nigeria have had a corresponding negative effect on income in Benin. Taxes on trade provide about half of all government revenues.Benin's primary exports are petroleum and cotton. Trade could be significantly enhanced if plans to establish an export processing zone in Cotonou come to fruition.While small in relative terms, U.S. exports to Benin have grown by 54 percent since 1989, with the leading items being wheat and flour, used clothing, motor vehicles, and textile machinery. Interesting possibilities for investment include fruit juice production, aquaculture, small hotels, sea salt extraction, and oil exploration.For further information, contact the Commerce Department's Benin Desk Officer at (202) 482-4388.U.S. exports 1992-$27.0 millionU.S. imports 1992-$9.6 millionMAURITIUSU.S. Technology Welcomed for Export DiversificationBy Chandra D. WatkinsMauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, is located 1,000 miles off the coast of East Africa. With a per capita income of $3,000 and 6 percent annual growth in gross domestic product, Mauritius is considered an advanced developing country with strong growth prospects.U.S. exports 1992-$22.3 millionU.S. imports 1992-$136.7 millionMauritius has a mixed economy in which a strong private sector co- exists with state-owned enterprises. The economy depends heavily on external trade. The main foreign exchange earners are textiles, sugar, and tourism.Mauritius is ready to begin the second phase of its industrial development. The country is in the process of diversifying its export base and is looking to manufacture high-technology products in the electronics and informatics sectors. The Mauritian government welcomes American technology, and has taken action towards liberalizing its trade and investment environments. Major trade liberalizations include import permits, tariffs, and foreign exchange. Import permit requirements have been abolished, except on a selected number of controlled products. Imports from the United States benefit from preferential tariffs, compared to the extra duty on goods from a few east Asian countries. Import tariffs have been abolished on raw materials used in the production of textiles, leather goods, jewelry, electronic components, printing, agricultural, and agro-industrial machinery. Foreign exchange has been completely liberalized on international transactions, and payments for imports are settled directly by commercial banks without prior approval of the Central Bank.For American companies wishing to export to Mauritius, best prospects are machinery and raw materials, power generating plants and sugar mill equipment, agricultural machinery and parts, hotel and catering equipment and supplies, building construction, road work machinery and parts, pollution control equipment and services, port handling equipment, and port development services.For American investors, Mauritius also offers an attractive investment climate and opportunities. Investment incentives include a 15 percent corporate tax during the whole life of the enterprise; tax-free dividends for the first 10 years of operation; free repatriation of earnings and capital; preferential access to loans from commercial banks and the Development Bank of Mauritius; availability of leased factory buildings in serviced industrial estates; ready access to the European Common Market through membership in the Lome Convention; and duty-free access to Preferential Trade Area (PTA) countries of Eastern and Southern Africa for products with 40 percent local value-added. Investment opportunities exist in the financial services, electronics, informatics, telecommunications, energy development and environmental sector.For further information on Mauritius, contact the Commerce Department's Mauritius Desk at (202) 482-4564.COTE D'IVOIREEconomic Problems Persist; U.S. Sellers Enjoy An EdgeBy Philip MicheliniAfter increasing 6.8 percent in 1992, U.S. exports to Cote d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) have now expanded three years in a row. Increased shipments of nitrogenous fertilizers, aircraft parts, and oil and gas field equipment, along with steady sales of milled rice and paper mill products-our two traditional leading ticket items-led the way to a record year for U.S. suppliers.U.S. exports 1992-$87.1 millionU.S. imports 1992-$187.5 millionU.S. exports should expand in 1993 due to several favorable developments: a planned downward revision of the Ivorian tariff schedule, the increasing popularity of Abidjan as a port of call for shipping lines carrying U.S. cargoes to Africa, and a considerable expansion of U.S.-controlled investment in the Ivorian natural gas, gold mining, telecommunications, and waste management sectors. Trade will also be facilitated by an increasing number of U.S. visitors to Cote d'Ivoire, now that visa requirements for U.S. citizens staying less than 90 days have been ended.Prospective U.S. sellers enjoy an edge in the Ivorian marketplace in that American equipment and machinery have earned an excellent local reputation. They risk losing a sale if they cannot offer the after-sales service frequently required. Most buyers in Africa select import goods for reasons of price, reliability, performance, delivery time, and after-sales support.U.S. imports, after increasing 10.5 percent in 1991, fell 15.1 percent in 1992. Once again cocoa beans, and refined chocolate and cocoa products, accounted for the bulk of imports (56 percent), followed by petroleum refinery products (15 percent), and coffee beans (12 percent). There was a slight growth in imports of Ivorian textiles, while U.S. purchases of forestry products were marginally lower. The trend toward more local value-added content in Ivorian export products should continue due to recent investments in textile factories and coffee and cocoa processing plants.The political reforms adopted in 1990, involving the establishment of a multi-party democracy, have gained popular acceptance. Economic reform has proved more difficult to accomplish, but some recent strides have been made in privatization and the streamlining of the national government.The privatization program is now being reviewed by the National Assembly, with a slowdown in the sale of state-owned enterprises a likely result. Overall policy is otherwise expected to remain consistent up to the 1995 national elections.Basic economic problems persist, however. International debt obligations, involving reschedulings of principal and interest, excessive national budgetary expenditures, and continuing weakness and uncertainty in the world coffee and cocoa markets have severely hindered Ivorian economic development since 1985. The Ivorian government, in conjunction with the international financial institutions and international commodity organizations, is trying to address the problems, but progress has been sporadic and unsatisfactory to date. In the view of the U.S. government, the economic reform programs agreed upon should be speedily implemented, while the structural competitiveness problem caused by the valuation of the CFA Franc used in Cote d'Ivoire and 13 other African countries must be rationally addressed by all parties to the franc zone arrangements now in place.For additional information, contact the Desk Officer on (202) 482- 4388.NIGERIANew Government Will Face Tough Economic DecisionsBy Debra L. HenkeNigeria's military government is preparing for a peaceful transition to democratic rule in August 1993. A civilian Transitional Council assumed office in January to oversee day-to-day government operations until the elected government assumes power. The new government will face some difficult economic decisions in the face of a budget deficit equal to more than half of projected revenues, and uncertain prospects for concluding a new International Monetary Fund agreement.U.S. exports 1992-$1.0 billionU.S. imports 1992-$5.1 billionSince late 1990, Nigeria's once praiseworthy performance under its Structural Adjustment Program has faltered, as domestic political pressures have motivated increased government spending and relaxed monetary policies.Nigeria took significant steps in 1992 to deregulate the financial system and liberalize the foreign exchange market, but these measures have been thwarted by the large budget deficit. The naira's declining value has led to a severe shortage of foreign exchange, wildly fluctuating interest rates, and an inflation rate of 46 percent.Nigeria's moderate 4 percent GDP growth rate in 1992 is expected to continue in 1993, provided oil production is maintained at the level of 2 million barrels per day (mbd). However, OPEC has assigned Nigeria a production quota of 1.8 mbd. Growth in the agricultural sector, which contributes over 30 percent of gross domestic product, should remain stable if rains are adequate. Manufacturing, which accounts for 8 percent of GDP, is not likely to increase due to a continuing shortage of foreign exchange to purchase raw materials.The country's general economic situation is highly dependent on the international oil market. The petroleum sector provides Nigeria with about 95 percent of its foreign exchange earnings and 85 percent of government revenues, but has little direct spillover into the rest of the economy. Nigeria remains the second leading supplier of crude petroleum to the United States, with oil sales of $4.9 billion in 1992. Purchases from Nigeria accounted for nearly 13 percent of U.S. crude oil imports.U.S. exports to Nigeria increased 82 percent in the past two years, with the top items being oil and gas field equipment, motor vehicles, construction machinery, and electric motors and generators. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) identifies best prospects for further increases in U.S. exports as: computers and peripherals, telecommunications equipment, airport and ground support equipment, aircraft and parts, medical equipment, oil and gas field machinery/services, airconditioning and refrigeration equipment, food processing and packaging equipment, laboratory scientific instruments, and printing and graphic arts equipment.Doing business in Nigeria is not without risk, however. During the past few years, many American firms have been contacted by Nigerian companies claiming to have strong connections with both government and private organizations that are able to award and/or obtain multi- million-dollar contracts. Some of the offers imply a possible violation of U.S. or Nigerian laws. The U.S. Commerce Department advises that all unsolicited business offers from Nigeria be approached with caution, even though many are legitimate. Cases of counterfeit bank drafts and even fraudulent letters of credit are common. Unfortunately, these business scams show no signs of abating in the near future. U.S. companies are advised to verify the bona fides of Nigerian companies and their business proposals through Commerce Department district offices. American firms should make shipments only on the basis of an irrevocable letter of credit confirmed by a U.S. bank.For further information, contact the Country Desk Officer, (202) 482-4388.UGANDASuccessful Reforms Reverse Years of Economic DeclineBy Chandra D. WatkinsDue to successful economic reforms, Uganda offers American companies new trade and investment opportunities. After years of economic decline, gross domestic product growth now averages 5 percent, and inflation, which was 200 percent in 1987, is at 33 percent today.U.S. exports 1992-$15.3 millionU.S. imports 1992-$12.0 millionEconomic reforms have centered on trade liberalization, which may have positive ramifications for American companies. The Ugandan government has recently switched from a trade licensing system to a trade certification system, thus simplifying import procedures. Instead of granting individual permits for specific transactions, certificates issued to Ugandan importers are valid for six months.The Ugandan government has also taken measures to liberalize foreign exchange. It has legalized foreign exchange bureaus and amended foreign exchange laws in order to allow the bureaus to buy and sell foreign currency freely. The new exchange laws also allow Ugandan exporters of non-traditional goods to retain their foreign exchange earnings to buy imports. A weekly foreign exchange auction has been established, and the auction continues to evolve in a progressively liberalized manner.These reform measures, coupled with donor funding, have generated a number of trade opportunities for U.S. firms. The majority are major projects funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development. They are designed to rehabilitate Uganda's infrastructure, particularly in the areas of energy renewal, transportation, telecommunications, and agriculture. Among the projects are: extension of the Owen Falls electrical power plant, and supply of pharmaceuticals, hospital and health center equipment, protective gear, and syringes. As Uganda continues to expand its exports, there is a growing need for packaging, containers, and such materials as glass, metal, plastic, and cardboard.Outside of these major project opportunities, the best export prospects are products that will serve Uganda's large agricultural sector. These include agricultural equipment, processing equipment for oil and cereals, and agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The Ugandan government also liberalized its investment climate by enacting a new investment code in 1991. The investment code offers tax and other incentives to foreign and local investors, including duty exemptions on new plant and equipment, as well as duty and sales tax drawbacks on imported inputs used in the production of goods for export. In addition, the code guarantees repatriation of profits, and provides for dispute resolution through the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.For further information, contact the Uganda Desk at (202) 482-4564.NAMIBIAAfrica's Youngest Nation Follows Pragmatic CourseBy Finn Holm-OlsenNamibia, Africa's youngest nation, became independent on March 21, 1990. In its short history as a sovereign nation, Namibia has been pragmatic in its economic policies and practices. With a goal of national reconciliation, the government seeks to redress social inequities while achieving sustainable economic growth for the entire country.U.S. exports 1992-$34.2 millionU.S. imports 1992-$23.1 millionDependent on a few primary commodity exports and consisting of a small domestic market of 1.4 million people, Namibia relies heavily on trade for its economic well-being. Historic and colonial ties with South Africa have resulted in a Namibian economy highly integrated with that of its large neighbor to the south. As a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Namibia is able to satisfy the bulk of its import needs from South African suppliers-approximately 90 percent of Namibia's total imports come from or through South Africa. Though the United States directly supplies only 3 percent of Namibia's total imports, a substantial quantity of U.S. exports enter Namibia indirectly via distributors in South Africa.Namibian business and government agencies, eager to lessen the chronic dependence on South Africa, have taken a keen interest in American products. The best export opportunities for U.S. companies are those goods not easily obtainable from South Africa and the larger customs union area, as well as products for which the United States enjoys technological superiority, including: agricultural machinery and equipment, construction machinery, motor vehicle parts, and aircraft equipment.As a member of the Rand Common Monetary Area, Namibia utilizes the hard currency South African rand. Namibia plans to begin circulating its own legal tender, the Namibian dollar, at the end of 1993. The new currency, which will initially be pegged to and exist alongside the rand, provides Namibia with the alternative of moving to a single national currency in the future should that option prove desirable.Namibia should not be overlooked as an attractive site for investment. The country enjoys a stable political environment, anchored by a genuine multi-party democracy. Namibia also boasts a superior infrastructure, with well developed telecommunications and transport systems. Walvis Bay, the deep water port currently administered jointly by Namibia and South Africa, ties in with a large network of roads and rail lines, and is well equipped to handle traffic to and from major international markets.The government of Namibia actively encourages and seeks foreign investment. While the Foreign Investment Act of 1990 provides the foundation for an already liberal investment climate, the Namibian government is willing to negotiate further incentives for investments in strategic industries that result in significant job creation and economic development in the region.Further information on commercial opportunities in Namibia can be provided by the Department of Commerce's Namibia Desk, telephone (202) 482-4228.SOUTH AFRICARecession in Fourth Year; U.S. Firms Are ReturningBy Emily SolomonWith South Africa's recession entering its fourth year, economists hope the worst is over, although most anticipate minimal growth at best in 1993. Positive indicators are inflation's decline to single digits late last year, and the onset of good rains that will alleviate the drought. The rand is expected to depreciate against the dollar by 6 percent this year, as it did in 1992.U.S. exports 1992-$2.4 billionU.S. imports 1992-$1.7 billionReal gross domestic product declined 2.5 percent in 1992, the third consecutive year of contraction. However, a significant portion of the decline was due to a 24 percent fall in the drought-ravaged agricultural sector. Manufacturing output dropped 3.7 percent, while mining showed an increase of 0.8 percent. Eliminating agriculture from the figures, total gross domestic product would have fallen by only 0.9 percent for the year.Despite the sluggish South African economy, U.S. exports increased 15 percent last year. Much of the increase was due to $368 million in corn sales to the Maize Marketing Board, to offset a 4 million-ton shortage caused by the drought. Even in recession, South Africa is the largest market for U.S. products and services in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking 44 percent of all U.S. exports to the region. Principal U.S. exports are automatic data processing equipment, aircraft and parts, agricultural machinery, mining equipment, and medical equipment.The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service in Johannesburg has identified the following products as best prospects for U.S. sales in 1993: computer equipment and peripherals, aircraft and parts, franchising, avionics and ground support equipment, telecommunications, medical equipment, security and safety equipment, and sporting goods.Some U.S. firms are preparing now for economic recovery in post- apartheid South Africa. The Washington-based Investor Responsibility Research Center reports that 17 American companies have opened offices, established subsidiaries, or placed employees in South Africa since most U.S. sanctions were lifted in July 1991. Most of these transactions are licensing and distribution agreements, six of which involve the computer and software industry.U.S. trade restrictions remaining in effect are: no good or service may be sold to, resold to, or made available for use by South African police or military entities, and no sales of munitions or equipment for their manufacture are permitted to any end-user.Some 140 state, city, and county governments continue to maintain sanctions against South Africa. These measures include investment restrictions, procurement bans, and selective contracting and purchasing statutes. It is expected that state and local sanctions will be repealed once the African National Congress (ANC) calls for a lifting of international sanctions.South African analysts believe that no genuine economic upturn will occur until there is multi-party agreement on a smooth political transition to a non-racial government. In February, the ANC announced that it will call for a lifting of all international economic sanctions once a multi-party Transitional Executive Council is established and a date is set for national elections for a non-racial constituent assembly. These events could occur by June of this year, provided the multi-party talks continue on course. Representatives of business and labor organizations and the government have established a National Economic Forum to address South Africa's economic challenges, such as generating sustainable economic growth, improving productivity, and addressing the socio-economic distortions and inequalities caused by apartheid. Post-apartheid South Africa will receive an additional boost as an export platform from which companies can serve much of Sub-Saharan Africa.