International

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) operates a small rail-related international function. It maintains liaison with foreign government-owned and -operated railways, develops and manages cooperative agreements, and provides available information to the U.S. rail-related industry. The FRA international program does not have any funding to provide technical assistance to foreign railway systems, nor can it financially support U.S. rail-related industry initiatives.

There are many opportunities for the U.S. rail industry to actively participate in foreign rail markets as they move their government-owned and-operated railways towards restructuring, commercialization or outright privatization. Because of political and economic changes in many parts of the world, these initiatives are underway in many countries. The financially profitable U.S. rail-freight industry - along with related manufacturers, suppliers and service providers - continue to serve as THE model for these countries to emulate. As a result, FRA has been able to facilitate between these government-owned and-operated railway systems and the U.S. rail-related industries, with the result a number of substantial financial success stories for U.S. business.

The FRA Administrator and the FRA international staff continuously encourage the U.S. rail-related industries to involve themselves in exports of their products and services, ultimately resulting in increases in domestic jobs. Such involvement requires a long-term commitment on the part of a company or other entity. The challenges of global marketing are simplified by programs and data bases maintained by the U.S. government, e.g., Trade and Development Agency, Department of Commerce, Export-Import Bank, and assistance it provides.

The FRA points of contact are:

Ted Krohn Director, International Policy Office of Policy and Program Development 1120 Vermont Ave, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC, 20005 Phone: 202-493-6415 Fax: 202-493-6401 e-mail: ted.krohn@fra.dot.gov

Barbara Pelletier International Relations Specialist Office of Policy and Program Development 1120 Vermont Ave, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC, 20005 Phone: 202-493-6395 Fax: 202-493-6401 e-mail: barbara.pelletier@fra.dot.gov