CEEBIC CLOSES ITS DOORS

Dear CEEBIC clients,

After nearly 14 years of service, CEEBIC closed down its operations in 8 cities in Central and Southeastern Europe and its domestic operations in Washington, DC on September 30, 2005.

Created in 1991 under the Support for East European Democracy Act (SEED), CEEBIC had become over the years the primary resource center for U.S. companies exploring business opportunities in Central and Southeastern Europe, facilitating over $1.5 billion of exports and investment.

The SEED Act was designed to help the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe make the transition to market-based democracies. CEEBIC has made an important contribution to that effort, and the business environment in many countries in Central and Southeastern Europe is markedly better than it was in 1991. In recognition of this progress, economic assistance programs in Central and Southeastern Europe are declining, with funding for some, including CEEBIC, phasing out.

CEEBIC will no longer provide business counseling and information resources on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe as of October 1, 2005. U.S. companies seeking information and assistance should visit the following guide of links and contacts in other offices for: export duties and taxes, regulatory information, the latest market research, trade leads, trade events and other information: http://www.mac.doc.gov/ceebic/ceebicswebchange.htm

U.S. Commercial Service offices in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Romania -as well as in Washington, D.C., and throughout the United States-remain available to assist U.S. exporters interested in the region. For assistance please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/europe

CEEBIC would like to thank all those who supported it through the years and wish you luck in your future endeavors.