(5) Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 1 FREEDOM Support Act Partial text of Public Law 102-511 [S. 2532], 106 Stat. 3320, approved October 24, 1992; amended by Public Law 104-66 [Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995; S. 790], 109 Stat. 707, approved December 21, 1995 AN ACT To support freedom and open markets in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.2 SHORT TITLES. This Act may be cited as the "Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992" or the "FREEDOM Support Act". SEC. 3.3 DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT STATES. For purposes of this Act, the terms "independent states of the former Soviet Union" and "independent states" mean the following: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. * TITLE III-BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SEC. 301.4 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 where the President determines that such centers can be cost-effective in promoting the objectives described in section 498 of that Act 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 For full text, see Legislation on Foreign Relations Through 1996, vol. I–B. 222 U.S.C. 5801 note. $22 U.S.C. 5801. 422 U.S.C. 5821. to the Agency for International Development for the purpose of carrying out activities relating to forestry and energy programs aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases related to global warming. Personnel who are detailed or assigned for the purposes of this section shall not be included within any personnel ceiling applicable to any United States Government agency during the period of detail or assignment. (d) 1,2 EXPORT-IMPORT BANK.-(1) Of the financing provided by the Export-Import Bank that is utilized for the support of exports for the energy sector, the Bank shall seek to provide not less than 5 per centum of such financing for renewable energy projects. (2) The Export-Import Bank shall take all appropriate steps to finance information exchanges and training whose purpose it is to help link United States producers in the renewable energy sector with assistance programs and potential foreign customers. (3) Beginning on April 15, 1990, the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank shall submit an annual report to the Committees on Appropriations on the Bank's implementation of this subsection. (5) Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 1 FREEDOM Support Act Partial text of Public Law 102-511 [S. 2532], 106 Stat. 3320, approved October 24, 1992; amended by Public Law 104-66 [Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995; S. 790], 109 Stat. 707, approved December 21, 1995 AN ACT To support freedom and open markets in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.2 SHORT TITLES. This Act may be cited as the "Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992" or the "FREEDOM Support Act". * SEC. 3.3 DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT STATES. For purposes of this Act, the terms "independent states of the former Soviet Union" and "independent states" mean the following: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. * TITLE III-BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SEC. 301.4 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 where the President determines that such centers can be cost-effective in promoting the objectives described in section 498 of that Act 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 1 For full text, see Legislation on Foreign Relations Through 1996, vol. I–B. 222 U.S.C. 5801 note. 322 U.S.C. 5801. 422 U.S.C. 5821. 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 the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development shall conclude a reimbursement agreement with the Secretary of Commerce for the Department of Commerce's services in establishing and operating American Business Centers pursuant to this section. (2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Of the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, up to $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purpose. SEC. 303.5 FUNDING FOR EXPORT PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS. (a) ALLOCATION OF A.I.D. FUNDS.-The President is encouraged to use a portion of the funds made available for the independent states of the former Soviet Union under chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (1) to fund the export promotion, finance, and related activities carried out pursuant to subsection (b)(1), including activities relating to the export of intermediary goods; and (2) to fund capital projects, including projects for telecommunications, environmental cleanup, power production, and energy related projects. (b) EXPORT PROMOTION, FINANCE, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.-The Secretary of Commerce, as Chair of the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee, should, in conjunction with other members of that committee, design and implement programs to provide adequate commercial and technical assistance to United States businesses seeking markets in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, including the following: (1) Increasing the United States and Foreign Commercial Service presence in the independent states, in particular in the Russian Far Eastern cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. (2) Preparing profiles of export opportunities for United States businesses in the independent states and providing other technical assistance. (3) Utilizing the Market Development Cooperator Program under section 2303 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4723). (4) Developing programs specifically for the purpose of assisting small- and medium-sized businesses in entering commercial markets of the independent states. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of Commerce, to the extent possible, should work directly with private sector organizations with proven experience in trade and economic relations with the independent states. (5) Supporting projects undertaken by the United States business community on the basis of partnership, joint venture, contractual, or other cooperative agreements with appropriate entities in the independent states. (6) Supporting export finance programs, feasibility studies, political risk insurance, and other related programs through increased funding and flexibility in the implementation of such programs. (7) Supporting the Business Information Service (BISNIS) and its related programs. SEC. 304.6 INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON ENERGY OF THE TRADE PROMOTION COORDINATING COMMITTEE. The Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee should utilize its interagency working group on energy to assist United States energy sector companies to develop a long-term strategy for penetrat 522 U.S.C. 5823. |