[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC5821]
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
CHAPTER 67--FREEDOM FOR RUSSIA AND EMERGING EURASIAN DEMOCRACIES AND
OPEN MARKETS SUPPORT
SUBCHAPTER II--BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 5821. American Business Centers
(a) Establishment
The President is authorized and encouraged to establish American
Business Centers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union
receiving assistance under chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2295 et seq.] where the President
determines that such centers can be cost-effective in promoting the
objectives described in section 498 of that Act [22 U.S.C. 2295] and
United States economic interests and in establishing commercial
partnerships between the people of the United States and the peoples of
the independent states.
(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
Not later than 90 days after Octo
