Washington, D.C. -  On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Andrew Green as the new Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

As a strong partner of USAID for the past 25 years--expanding energy infrastructure and energy programs in developing countries--USEA is pleased with President Trump’s decision to have Mark Andrew Green at the helm of such a significant agency at such a critical juncture.

In a statement, USEA Executive Director Barry Worthington said:

We look forward to continuing a long productive relationship with USAID, and we offer ourselves as a resource to the agency as it examines the most valuable programs, those that grow economies, boost American businesses and manufacturing, move our country toward energy dominance and provide a strong return on investment.

Over the course of his career, Administrator Green has proven himself to be pragmatic, bipartisan, and astute. I expect he will use those virtues to reform USAID, make it more efficient and productive, and we support that. In our view, it’s always a good idea to take inventory and see that the agency’s programs are providing value for the country but also for the people they serve.

During his confirmation process, Green showed strong support for private investment to help developing countries, instead of traditional aid from the U.S. Treasury. We expect as Administrator, Green will advance such a policy that supports U.S. industry investment and involvement in infrastructure expansion and energy resource management in a way that builds economies and helps countries produce and develop their resources to compete in the global market.

There is a way for international aid to look more like an investment instead of a handout. International development through our partnership with USAID has opened markets to U.S. companies, expanded economies and taught energy professionals overseas the skills they need to manage their industry.

For example, USEA’s partnership with USAID in Tanzania will open that market for U.S. liquefied natural gas technology as Tanzania expands production and development of its natural gas.

And our first project, which started 25 years ago, which continues, has transformed the electric grid in Eastern Europe to help grow that region economically. USEA’s partnership with USAID has unearthed energy investment opportunities for U.S. industry in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

We expect Administrator Green will bring great leadership to USAID and align it with the pragmatic pro-business, pro-American approach of the Trump White House. “We support Administrator Green. We look forward to working together on many more international energy development projects, and we offer ourselves as a resource to USAID.”