SABIT program experts learn from ICC

The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration administers a unique program that sponsors technical training for managers and technical professionals from other countries to encourage market-based reforms, which will open the markets in those countries to U.S. exports and investment. The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program recently brought a group of 18 experts from the Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Uzbekistan to the U.S. as part of a program focused on energy efficiency and renewables for residential and commercial construction. The delegates represented government bodies as well as large construction and engineering firms and expressed a strong interest in green construction materials; energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and lighting and insulation.

The International Code Council welcomed the delegation on Nov. 5, 2018, to its Western Regional Office in Brea, Calif. Code Council Executive Director of Sustainability Programs Dave Walls, Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development Mark Johnson, ICC Evaluation Service President Shahin Moinian, and IAS Customer Success Group Director Greg West collectively provided a comprehensive overview of the Code Council’s activities particularly in the green building space, including codes, standards and conformity assessment activities. The International Codes are very well known in Eurasia, and the delegates were excited to learn directly from the Code Council. The presentations were very well-received and the group was very engaged, asking many good questions.

As the global leader in building safety, it is important for the Code Council to engage with jurisdictions outside of the United States. Our systems and expertise transcend borders and it is a privilege to be included in high-profile U.S. government programs like SABIT.