The program was originally authorized by the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624) to promote U.S. agricultural exports by providing technical assistance and credits or credit guarantees to emerging democracies annually for fiscal years 1991-95. The funds could be used to establish or provide facilities, services, or U.S. products to improve handling, marketing, storage, or distribution of imported agricultural products. The program initially focused on Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
