COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES NIS DEFENSE CONVERSION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated a new $1.2 million program designed to facilitate the conversion of defense enterprises in the Newly Independent States (NIS) into commercial entities while developing long-term U.S.-NIS business contacts and enhancing U.S. trade opportunities in the region. Commerce's Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT) is collaborating with the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) to implement a new program which will provide specialized business training for approximately 100 defense enterprise experts from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. ``Through these cooperative programs, the Clinton Administration is demonstrating its commitment to assisting the Newly Independent States in their defense conversion efforts,'' said Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown. ``While we share our expertise and experience, U.S. companies at the same time can improve their global competitiveness by gaining access to markets in the NIS.'' Teams of up to ten NIS executives - each including several experts from defense enterprises interested in converting from military production, and one or two local Government officials - will be selected competitively. The teams will undergo a comprehensive two-month training program, consisting of an intensive business management training session, followed by hands-on training with American companies currently diversifying their product mix toward commercial markets. Host organizations will use their defense conversion experience to help the trainees develop operational plans. Additionally, the NIS executives will brief the American counterparts on their conversion experiences. The new program will focus on eight target industry sectors: electronics, avionics and aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals/pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, medical devices and equipment, infrastructure equipment manufacturing, and environmental technologies. SABIT, which has already provided business training to over 350 NIS executives and scientists, will provide funding to cover most program costs and will work closely with BXA and U.S. industry to develop and oversee the training program for each team. SABIT and BXA will recruit and select the NIS trainees based on program requirements and input from the U.S. industrial host organizations. The first session of the SABIT Defense Conversion Training Program is tentatively scheduled to begin in May 1995. Applications from NIS candidates for this round of training must be received by April 15, 1995. Early submission of candidate nominations by U.S. host companies is encouraged. For applications and further information, please contact Monika Wasiewicz, Sabit/Defense Conversion at the following address: Sabit/Defense Conversion, U.S. Dept of Commerce, Room 3878, 14th Street and Constitution Ave., N.W; Washington, D.C. 20230. Tel: (202) 482-3984; Fax: (202) 482-5650.

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