22 USC 5821 - American Business Centers

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 06, 2024

§ 5821.

American Business Centers

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Environmental business centers and agribusiness centers

For purposes of this section, the term “American Business Centers” includes the following:

(1)

Environmental business centers in those independent states that offer promising market possibilities for the export of United States environmental goods and services. To the maximum extent practicable, these environmental business centers should be established as a component of other centers.

(2)

Agribusiness centers that include the participation of private United States agribusinesses or agricultural cooperatives, private nonprofit organizations, State universities and land grant colleges, and financial institutions, that make appropriate contributions of equipment, materials, and personnel for the operation of such centers. The purposes of these agribusiness centers shall be—

(A)

to enhance the ability of farmers and other agribusiness practitioners in the independent states to better meet the needs of the people of the independent states;

(B)

to assist the transition from a command and control system in agriculture to a free market system; and

(C)

to facilitate the demonstration and use of United States agricultural equipment and technology.

(c)

Additional policy guidance

To the maximum extent possible, and consistent with the particular purposes of the specific types of centers, the President should direct that—

(1)

the American Business Centers established pursuant to this section place special emphasis on assistance to United States small- and medium-sized businesses to facilitate their entry into the commercial markets of the independent states;

(2)

such centers offer office space, business facilities, and market analysis services to United States firms, trade associations, and State economic development offices on a user-fee basis that minimizes the cost of operating such centers;

(3)

such centers serve as a repository for commercial, legal, and technical information, including environmental and export control information;

(4)

such centers identify existing or potential counterpart businesses or organizations that may require specific technical coordination or assistance;

(5)

such centers be established in several sites in the independent states; and

(6)

host countries be asked to make appropriate contributions of real estate and personnel for the establishment and operation of such centers.

(d)

Funding

(1)

Reimbursement agreement

(2)

Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 102–511, title III, § 301, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3332.)

cite as: 22 USC 5821