VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 - FALL EDITION 2000

More Program Notes

Africa: Aviation Symposium

Private and public U.S. and African aviation leaders gathered on August 13-15, for the TDA co-sponsored Africa/U.S. Airport Infrastructure Workshop and Trade Show in Sun City, South Africa.

This event, planned by the American Association of Airport Executives, offered a unique opportunity for U.S. businesses to meet with key African aviation decision makers to discuss upcoming projects and current aviation related issues. Featured speakers included U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mort Downey and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Delano E. Lewis, as well as civil aviation officials from 21 African nations including Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, Gambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

Philippines: Power Pooling

In July 2000, TDA and the National Power Corporation (NPC) of the Philippines signed a $500,000 grant for a Market Operations Pooling & Settlement Project. The study will provide funding for a U.S. company to develop the detailed specifications for the power trading and pooling software system for NPC as it deregulates its power sector. This study will include requirements for special software, associated hardware, participants interface facilities, interval metering, data storage and large data transfer facilities, and other information system facilities.

The Government of the Philippines has prioritized the restructuring of the power industry. NPC has secured funding from the Asian Development Bank for implementation of this privatization. The TDA-funded study is a critical step in the transition to a market-driven power sector.

Venezuela: Environmental Opportunities

During the week of July 10-14, 2000, TDA hosted a delegation of Venezuelan industrial officials, including officials from Petroleos de Venezuela, SA, Pequiven, Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana and Polar. While coming from different industries, the delegates all had one thing in common - the need to provide solutions for the environmental degradation they face from air, soil, and water contamination.

Throughout their weeklong visit, the delegates carried out site visits in Texas, Alabama, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, and gave presentations on their programs at a U.S. business briefing in Houston. Drawing close to 200 U.S. private sector participants, it is TDA's best-attended briefing to date. U.S. private sector participants found the business briefing to be valuable, and the Venezuelan delegates were equally pleased with the visit and the opportunity to learn first-hand about new technologies from U.S. suppliers, engineers, and investors.