An overview of the opportunities that Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) can offer to exporters. This article is part of "A Basic Guide to Exporting", provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, to assist companies in exporting.
Last Published: 10/20/2016
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an agency of the federal government that specializes in assisting the world’s poorest countries to develop their economies. Each year, Millennium procures millions of dollars in goods and services for work in participating countries, which must pledge to improve their governance in return for the assistance.

Many U.S. companies get their start in doing business globally by winning a contract from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. In fact, many federal agencies contract with U.S. companies to work abroad. This business is worth many billions of dollars, and the money goes to companies of all sizes. When large companies win bids for larger projects, they often subcontract with smaller specialty companies. Yours could be one of them. That’s why it’s important to monitor Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps, fbo.gov). Bookmark this site.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (ustda.gov)
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) 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, USTDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure and industrial projects in emerging markets.

USTDA’s dual mission is to help companies get in on the ground floor of export opportunities and to make them competitive with heavily subsidized foreign companies. Because of its focused mission, USTDA considers only infrastructure and industrial projects that have the potential to mature into significant export opportunities for American companies and to create jobs in the United States. Projects are typically in the areas of agriculture, energy and power, health care, manufacturing, mining and minerals development, telecommunications, transportation, and environmental services.
 
To be considered for USTDA funding, your product or service must meet these criteria:
  • Must face strong competition from foreign companies that receive subsidies and other support from their governments
  • Must be a development priority of the country where the project is located and must have the endorsement of the U.S. embassy in that nation
  • Must represent an opportunity for sales of U.S. goods or services that is many times greater than the cost of USTDA assistance
  • Must be likely to receive implementation financing and must have a procurement process open to U.S. companies.
 
Many U.S. companies get their first chance at international business through a contract from the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
 


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