Includes how major projects are financed and gives examples where relevant. Explains activities of the multilateral development banks in and other aid-funded projects where procurement is open to U.S. bidders
Last Published: 6/13/2019

Singapore is considered a developed country and does not receive development assistance from multilateral institutions. U.S. government agencies such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), as well as state and local bodies (e.g., Small Business Administration) offer a variety of programs to assist exporters with their financing and insurance needs.

Ex-Im Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services. One example is the Medium Term Delegated Authority (MTDA) lender scheme underwritten by Ex-Im Bank. The MTDA program offers exporters quick access to buyer financing from a network of lenders who have authority to write loans that will be guaranteed by the Bank. 

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
 
The USTDA facilitates U.S. business participation in the preparation and execution of infrastructure development projects.  The Agency helps build the infrastructure for trade, match U.S. expertise with overseas development needs, and facilitate business partnerships between U.S. industry and emerging markets.  These partnerships allow the Agency to target its investments toward projects that are most likely to be implemented using U.S. goods and services.
 
The Agency funds early-stage project preparation activities such as feasibility studies, technical assistance and pilot projects, which provide the analysis needed for projects to attract financing and reach implementation.  Additionally, USTDA creates market access for U.S. companies, connecting them with key decision-makers in emerging economies by hosting reverse trade missions, conferences, workshops, and trainings.  The Agency’s reverse trade missions bring overseas decision-makers to the United States to introduce them to the design, manufacture and operation of U.S. goods and services that can help advance their infrastructure development goals.
 
In the region, USTDA’s key areas of focus include supporting clean energy development and energy security, improving transportation and trade infrastructure, and deploying innovative ICT solutions.   The USTDA achieves an incredible rate of return on U.S. taxpayer dollars, generating $104 of U.S. exports for every $1 programmed.  The Agency has generated over $66 billion in U.S. exports since its inception, including over $4.9 billion new exports identified in FY 2018 alone.
 
USTDA’s regional office, covering all Southeast Asia, is located at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.  USTDA’s Southeast Asia staff members can be contacted either in the Washington, D.C.-area headquarters or in Bangkok.
 
In Thailand:

In Washington, DC:

 
Firms seeking such assistance should contact their nearest Export Assistance Center.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.