WASHINGTON, DC, April 29, 2015 -- This week, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) -- the U.S. Government's Development Finance Institution -- welcomed The Water Council (TWC) to the OPIC Partners Program, where it can connect its network of globally-minded, U.S.-based innovators with OPIC's unique development finance tools and four decades of development finance experience leveraging U.S. business growth in global emerging markets.
TWC aligns the world's freshwater industry and research communities to promote access to water technology and innovation as a key pillar of economic development. The only organization of its kind in the United States, it is capturing the attention of the world and transforming the Milwaukee region into a World Water Hub for freshwater research, economic development and education.
To inaugurate the partnership, the two organizations co-hosted a seminar on Tuesday, April 28, at the Global Water Center in Milwaukee for small businesses seeking to enter international markets. The seminar provided education on OPIC products and services to enable U.S. business growth in developing countries.
"We are excited to be joining OPIC’s Partners Program in an effort to present further opportunities for our members to foster economic development in overseas emerging markets," said Dean Amhaus, president and CEO of The Water Council. "Wisconsin is truly one of the world's most significant hubs for water research and industry. As water technology exports increase, OPIC will be a great resource for our companies."
"Partnering with forward-thinking groups like The Water Council allows OPIC to better carry out our mission of catalyzing the private sector for life-improving global development impact," said Elizabeth Littlefield, OPIC's President and CEO. "The Water Council's promotion of the intrepid work in the U.S. clean water access sector aligns with OPIC's goal to show what American business innovation can achieve when it turns its attention to global development."
See also:
"Water Council receives cluster grant under Regional Innovation Strategies program"
"Water Council announces Round III of The Brew accelerator program"
About The Water Council
The Water Council, the only organization of its kind in the U.S., was established in 2009 by Milwaukee-area businesses, education and government leaders. With more than 150 water technology companies in the Milwaukee area, the region's water industry is a $10.5-billion market and accounts for 4 percent of the world's total water business. The non-profit organization, consisting of more than 160 members, is linking together global water technology companies, innovative water entrepreneurs, acclaimed academic research programs and some of the nation's most intelligent water professionals. The Water Council is capturing the attention of the world and transforming the Milwaukee region into a World Water Hub for freshwater research, economic development and education. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com.
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