USTDA generates an average of $136 in U.S. exports for every dollar it programs. Since its inception, the Agency has supported more than $115 billion in U.S. exports to infrastructure projects in emerging economies, helping companies create good-paying jobs across the United States.
Arlington, VA – Today the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a technical assistance grant to the Rio Grande do Norte State Secretariat of Administration (SEAD) in Brazil that will help provide high-speed internet and enhanced government services to all 167 municipalities in the state. SEAD selected Maryland-based ASTRO Systems, Inc., to perform the assistance.
“Rio Grande do Norte’s prioritization of broadband network expansion is a goal that USTDA is proud to support,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “U.S. companies offer world-leading solutions in this space and are eager to partner with Brazil as it continues transforming its digital infrastructure to meet the demands of its citizens. Our collaboration with the state government of Rio Grande do Norte is helping to make that happen.”
USTDA’s technical assistance will support the state’s efforts to bring connectivity and expand e-government services to underserved and unserved areas through expanded broadband coverage and the centralization and upgrading of its data management infrastructure. These investments will reduce the cost of connectivity, increase redundancy for the systems used by the state government, improve the state’s disaster recovery capabilities, and allow for further cloud computing and web-based service coverage across the state.
“This initiative is in line with Rio Grande do Norte’s multiyear investment plan and Governor Fátima Bezerra’s ICT modernization objectives for the State,” said State Secretary of Administration Pedro Lopes de Araujo Neto. “The project will address the demands of the population of Rio Grande do Norte by improving overall connectivity with best-in-class solutions to provide advanced data storage, equipment, and cybersecurity. Our partnership with USTDA will be fundamental to achieving these objectives as we aim to make public administration increasingly efficient and, above all, improve the provision of services to all citizens.”
“This initiative represents the U.S. Government’s commitment to Northeast Brazil and U.S.-Brazil partnerships in developing high-tech capabilities in the region,” said Consul General May Baptista from the Consulate General in Recife, which serves Northeast Brazil.
The study will advance the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced that it has awarded a technical assistance grant to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to help enhance and upgrade air traffic management in Vietnamese airspace. USTDA’s assistance will be performed by Virginia-based MITRE Corporation. The grant agreement was signed during President Biden’s trip to Vietnam in support of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“As its air traffic continues to grow, Vietnam intends to invest in updated systems to ensure the safe, efficient flow of airplanes,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Our partnership with VATM will support Vietnam’s goals to deliver the highest quality air traffic management services for the flying public, while creating opportunities for U.S. firms to supply the necessary technologies.”
Vietnam’s narrow airspace and high-traffic location in Southeast Asia create challenges for managing flight transitions with adjacent flight regions. To address these challenges, USTDA’s assistance will help optimize the harmonization of Vietnam’s air traffic management and air traffic flow management systems. This will facilitate Vietnam’s management of increased air traffic while increasing safety, efficiency, and capacity for the country’s airlines, airports, and airspace.
USTDA’s support for this project advances the goals of the U.S.-Southeast Asia and Pacific Aviation Cooperation Program, a public-private partnership that works with stakeholders in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands to design programs that promote technical, policy, and commercial cooperation in civil aviation.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Africell Sierra Leone Limited (Africell) for a feasibility study to expand internet access to more than 95,000 individuals throughout Sierra Leone. The study will facilitate the expansion of Africell’s fiber backbone network nationwide and the complementary expansion of fixed broadband networks in up to 32 cities and towns.
“USTDA is committed to expanding internet access across Africa in partnership with the private and public sectors,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Our Agency has a long history of partnering with African countries that are navigating the rapidly changing technology landscape and envisioning possibilities for their digital future. This project reflects the concrete action that USTDA is taking as a co-lead of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, and it will create opportunities for U.S. companies to engage in Sierra Leone’s digital infrastructure market.”
USTDA’s study will evaluate the economic and technical viability of expanding Africell’s existing telecommunications network in Sierra Leone. The study will include an analysis of consumer demand for fixed broadband service considering topography, demography, and income, as well as a supply analysis of existing infrastructure. It will also include a legal and regulatory analysis as well as a project implementation plan. Overall, the study will enable the deployment of large-scale internet infrastructure investment that is key to expanding access and reducing the cost of internet connectivity.
“This grant will accelerate the roll-out of reliable digital connectivity to thousands of households in Sierra Leone,” says Ziad Dalloul CEO and President of Africell Group, the only U.S.-owned mobile network operator in Africa. “When expanding our network, our goal is always to deliver both social impact and commercial returns. The USTDA-funded feasibility study will help us achieve that by providing vital insights into the technical and economic requirements”.
USTDA’s study advances the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries, as well as the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, to expand digital access on the continent.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a technical assistance grant to Guatemala’s National Secretariat of Science and Technology (Senacyt) to promote rural connectivity and digital literacy. Senacyt selected California-based New Sun Road to carry out the assistance, which will include the installation of women-led solar-powered digital community centers (DCCs) in 10 unconnected communities, with the goal of scaling the project to 3,000 sites across rural Guatemala.
“This project reflects USTDA’s commitment to partner with Guatemala on its digital access priorities through collaboration with U.S. industry. It will also empower women to lead the delivery of critical services to their communities,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “USTDA’s ability to fund pilot projects allows our overseas partners to evaluate the scalability of U.S. technology for their infrastructure priorities. This is a unique asset within the U.S. government.”
Under USTDA’s grant, New Sun Road will select 10 sites to deploy the DCCs, validate the business model for their replicability, and develop an implementation plan for scaling the deployment nationwide. The DCCs will be powered by solar panels coupled with battery storage and microgrids, offering a resilient source of clean power in addition to local connectivity. New Sun Road will train women to manage the DCCs and educate their communities in digital skills.
“Senacyt’s mission is to promote Guatemala’s development through science, technology and innovation,” said Ana Chan, Secretary of Senacyt. “USTDA and New Sun Road are like-minded partners, and we deeply appreciate our partnership with them. Together, we will make a difference in the lives of many thousands of Guatemalans.”
Adrienne Pierce, CEO of New Sun Road said: “New Sun Road is committed to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and increase access for remote communities in Guatemala. We thank USTDA for funding this assistance and are proud to contribute our own resources toward advancing and scaling the digital community centers.”
U.S. Embassy Guatemala Charge d’Affaires Patrick Ventrell congratulated participants at the launch, adding: “What is good for Guatemala, is good for the United States. This project once again confirms U.S. commitment as Guatemala’s partner of choice.”
This activity advances the goals of USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects U.S. industry to major clean transportation and energy infrastructure projects in emerging economies. It also advances U.S. government priorities including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and Root Causes Strategy.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a technical assistance grant to the Maldives Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (MECCT) that will help make government services more efficient, less costly, and more resilient in the event of disasters. Specifically, USTDA’s assistance will support the development of a sustainable cloud-based Government Digital Services (GDS) platform that will also accelerate the digital transformation of the Maldives’ national healthcare system and other citizen services.
“Digital technology has the power to transform how we do business, helping to make public service delivery faster, smarter, and more equitable through increased access to remote and marginalized communities,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This partnership with MECCT will support the Maldives’ development goals and enhance its ability to effectively respond to disruptions caused by natural disasters and climate change. U.S. companies offer many of the solutions for the proposed GDS platform.”
The GDS platform will consolidate existing government data centers and other critical digital infrastructure used by public sector entities in the Maldives. This will increase public sector capacity for data management and security, as well as enable data-driven decision-making through the adoption of a secure government technology stack, cloud computing systems, open data platforms and applications.
“ICT stands as a pivotal strategy within the government’s vison of a connected island nation, fostering cohesion among small island communities in both the physical realm and a secure, dynamic cyberspace,” said Mohamed Shareef, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology. “This collaboration with USTDA will facilitate the establishment of the Government Digital Services with secure, robust digital public infrastructure for a national cloud in the Maldives, seamlessly integrated with global cloud service providers, thereby accelerating our nation’s digital development pursuits.”
USTDA’s technical assistance will help evaluate the Maldives’ current operational and regulatory environment, establish data classification and usage standards, provide detailed data center and platform architecture designs, recommend a workforce capacity building strategy, and prepare data and analysis required for financing and implementation of the project. The assistance will also help MECCT to establish a cloud center of excellence that will serve as a public-private partnership with cloud service providers and other technology vendors to deliver continued training and engagement on international best practices for public sector cloud adoption in the Maldives.
U.S. Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Maldives, Hugo Yue-Ho Yon, said: “We are proud to partner with MECCT on this project and digital strategy that will advance the Maldives’ efforts to bring enhanced, efficient, and secure digital services to the Maldivian people.”
USTDA’s support for this project advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment with the goal of developing, expanding, and deploying secure digital infrastructure to power economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.
U.S. companies interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
USTDA Generates Record Results for U.S. Exporters
