USTDA Provides Technical Assistance to Brazil to Enhance Aviation Infrastructure

The U.S. Trade & Development Agency issued the following news release:

To support planned improvements in air transportation, USTDA has awarded a $485,000 technical assistance grant to the Rio de Janeiro State Transport Secretariat (SETRANS). The technical assistance will update Rio de Janeiro's statewide airport plan and develop a funding strategy to modernize and expand the state's airport and heliport networks. The grant was signed on March 28 by Rio State Governor Sergio Cabral and Secretary Julio Luiz Baptista Lopes on behalf of SETRANS and by Principal Commercial Officer Alan Long.

"Developing and expanding transportation infrastructure is a high priority for the Brazilian government," said USTDA Regional Director Nathan Younge. "This grant will support Brazil in accomplishing that goal, while demonstrating U.S. business interest in this important market."

This grant comes at an opportune time for Rio de Janeiro's aviation infrastructure and networks. Rapidly increasing air traffic, in addition to the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games, are creating an urgent need to update the current Statewide Airport Plan, which dates back to 2002.

The technical assistance will provide recommendations for modernizing existing airports as well as address the need for new airport and heliport development in the state. It will also identify commercial opportunities for U.S. providers and aviation-related goods and services to support new project development in Brazil.

The opportunity to conduct the technical assistance will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted on USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement.

Contact: Christine Campigotto, 703/875-4357

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