The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) were recently given a four-year grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration's (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) to boost U.S. exports and job creation, according to an IAPMO press release.
The grant's purpose is to increase plumbing exports to Southeast Asia by reducing export constraints and technical restrictions.
“Congratulations to @IAPMO, based in Ontario, for being a 2021 recipient of @TradeGov’s Market Development Cooperator Program grant, which awards groups that create sustainable jobs and promote U.S. business in global markets,” U.S Rep. Norma Torres (D-California) stated on Twitter.
Specifically, IAPMO will utilize the grant to provide more effective testing and certification alternatives for plastic pipes in Indonesia, making it easier for U.S. manufacturers to enter government procurement.
IAPMO will also request the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) to recognize IAPMO as an accepted sanitary ware testing laboratory, thereby lowering costs and restrictions for U.S. exporters.
This is the IAPMO's second time to receive the grant, the first being in 2013.
IAPMO's 2013 grant successfully improved the international competitiveness of the U.S. plumbing supply industry by generating exports to Indonesia, boosting the total annualized U.S. plumbing exports to Indonesia by 85%.
