News Release

Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund commits
$200,000 to Kenan Institute Asia project

CHAPEL HILL -- Former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton have awarded $200,000 to a fishing boat repair center and pier project in southern Thailand, proposed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and its sister organization in Thailand, Kenan Institute Asia (KIAsia).

The presidents' contribution - through private money from the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund - will support the construction of a full-service repair facility for local fishing vessels, as well as an access road, pier and market. The projects aim to improve the safety and livelihood of hundreds of local fishermen in the Thai Muang district of Phang Nga province in Thailand.

"Presidents Bush and Clinton are very excited at the prospect of helping with this project, especially since they visited this area during their tsunami tour about a year ago," said Jean Becker, chief of staff to Bush.

Fishermen in the Thai Muang district have been repairing their boats and netting on the open beach, said Paul Wedel, executive director of KIAsia. "The construction of a pier, covered repair center and community market will provide long-lasting benefits for the 100-plus fishermen and their families in the area."

The facility also will be a potential site for training on fishing issues, such as fish raising, sustainable catch limits and micro-business practices. It is expected that the project will serve as a template for other fishery associations along the Andaman Sea. "This project fits well with the institute's broader goal of long-term sustainable economic recovery within the region," said Dr. John D. Kasarda, director of the Kenan Institute. "We are honored the presidents selected this project for funding."

The Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief funding will complement private tsunami relief contributions already donated by the Kenan Charitable Trust. The fishing boat repair project is part of the ongoing Tsunami Recovery Action Initiative (TRAI), a joint program of the Kenan Institute and KIAsia. TRAI aims to use education and entrepreneurship training to move the targeted community and its residents well beyond relief to sustainable development.

The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise was founded at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School in 1985 with the goal of promoting private enterprise internationally and leveraging private-sector resources and expertise to serve the public interest. The institute acts as a hub for collaboration among business, government, academia and civil society worldwide, helping clients and partners translate the latest knowledge into practical solutions and mutually beneficial results.

Kenan Institute Asia, an affiliate of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Established in 1996, its focus is on building mutually beneficial partnerships with corporations, NGOs, academic institutions and government agencies to promote prosperity and sustainable development in Asia.

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Kenan-Flagler Business School contact: Allison Reid, (919) 962-8951 or allison_reid@unc.edu