U.S. Delegation Advances Economic Agreements, Investment During Travel to Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, Israel, Morocco
WASHINGTON – A U.S. Government delegation, led by U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer Adam Boehler, visited Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, Israel, and Morocco last week to advance recent economic agreements and private sector investment to support global development and U.S. foreign policy.
Boehler was joined by Special Advisor to the President on Serbia-Kosovo Ambassador Richard Grenell; Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bonnie Glick; President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Kimberly Reed; and other senior government officials.
In Greece, the U.S. delegation participated in meetings with senior government officials and toured the shipyard at Elefsina. DFC recently announced a Letter of Interest to provide financing for the shipyard that would support an important energy hub and contribute to regional energy independence. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 directs DFC to work in Europe and Eurasia on energy-related investments.
The delegation visited Kosovo and Serbia to build on the September 4 Washington agreements that established economic normalization between the two countries, a major milestone that will boost economic development in the region. In Kosovo, DFC signed a joint statement with the government and will work to increase private sector investment in Kosovo to strengthen air, rail and road infrastructure; energy; technology and tourism, among other industries.
In Serbia, DFC signed a joint statement with the government and announced that it will open a regional office in Belgrade to facilitate implementation of projects that will support economic growth. DFC also announced John Jovanovic, who has extensive background in the Balkans, will be DFC’s new managing director for the Western Balkans and the Aegean.
Building on the historic Abraham Accords, DFC and other delegation members visited Israel to explore opportunities to translate that agreement into tangible initiatives to improve the lives of people across the region. In particular, DFC is pursuing projects with countries such as Israel and the United Arab Emirates that will enhance regional trade, create jobs, increase energy security and reliable access to electricity, and support agriculture and sustainable access to water in the region.
In Morocco, the U.S. delegation met with senior government officials and representatives of the private sector. DFC is committed to expanding its investment in Morocco to promote resiliency following the COVID-19 pandemic and advance Morocco’s role as a regional economic leader and driver for growth across the African continent.
DFC, America’s development bank, facilitates private sector investment to support global development and U.S. foreign policy. DFC works closely with USAID, EXIM, and other government agencies.
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U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.