U.S. Trade and Development Agency
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600 * Arlington, Virginia 22209
Telephone (703) 875-4357 * Fax (703) 875-4009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Donna Thiessen
(703) 875-4357
USTDA GRANTS SUPPORT HAITI’S MAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (September 12, 2005) The development of a modern and secure international airport in Port-au-Prince is the goal of two U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) grants totaling $450,000 that were awarded to the National Airports Authority (NAA) of Haiti.
To confer the grants, USTDA Deputy Director Barbara Bradford and NAA Director General Lionel Isaac signed agreements on behalf of the U.S. government and NAA, respectively. The grants follow USTDA’s award of a $350,000 technical assistance grant to Electricité d’Haiti earlier this month and reflect the agency’s on-going commitment to support Haiti’s economic growth through the development of critical infrastructure.
The international airport serving Haiti’s capital is the country’s primary entry and exit point for both passengers and air cargo. As a result, the airport’s modernization and security capabilities are critical components of Haiti’s ability to integrate into the global economy as a means of fostering the country’s development.
The first grant, in the amount of $300,000, will be used to assess and recommend enhancements to airport operations and management functions such as ground operations, control tower management, flight operations, passenger and cargo terminal management, communications and air navigation systems, airline and concession operations, aircraft maintenance and fuel operations, security systems, and customs and immigration operations. The second grant, valued at $150,000, will be used to assess training needs and to develop a security training program for ten officials from the international airport. The training plan will cover security management and airport operations, communications systems, documentation and reporting systems, response systems for security breaches, traffic management, and management of passenger, baggage, and cargo movements.
The opportunity to provide assistance to NAA under the grants announced today will be competed separately on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fedbizopps.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions contained in the Federal Business Opportunities announcement. NAA will select the U.S. contractors that will provide the assistance.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits, and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment, and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
Click here for a related article from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti translated in French:
Don au bénéfice de l'Aéroport de Port-au-Prince
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