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 SUPPORTS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
AIRPORT CORRIDOR IN THAILAND
BANGKOK, THAILAND – (August 30, 2005) The development of efficient transportation systems in support of Thailand’s new world-class airport and technical cooperation under the U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations is the objective of a U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) grant awarded today to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The $537,000 grant will be used to fund technical assistance for the development of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Corridor to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Earlier today, the award was made at a grant signing ceremony held at the OTP Headquarters in Bangkok. U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Thailand Alexander A. Arvizu and OTP Director-General Dr. Kumropluk Suraswadi signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, respectively.
Thailand's highest priority infrastructure project -- the Suvarnabhumi Airport, is scheduled to open in late 2006 and accommodate over 35 million passengers and serve as a regional aviation hub. This airport development project is also a key element of the Prime Minister's national economic growth strategy. The ITS Corridor project will contribute to the success of this development priority by making air and land transportation more efficient, safe, and convenient for airport passengers. OTP needs an interim solution to improve transportation access to the airport, because the airport's new expressway and rail link will not be completed until 2010. The Thai government considers ITS as the most logical solution for managing traffic amid increasing use of existing highways.
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.
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