SOFIA, BULGARIA (July 23, 2004) – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $200,060 grant to the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) to provide technical assistance on the legal and regulatory framework necessary to implement and enforce higher air safety standards.  Enhancing overseas air safety is a key focus of USTDA’s foreign assistance program.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony at the American Center at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia.  U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria James Pardew and CAA Director General Kalin Barzov signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. and Bulgarian Governments, respectively. 

Since 2003, the CAA has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and USTDA to determine how to bring Bulgaria’s aviation operations into compliance with international standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization.  Earlier this year, USTDA, in cooperation with the FAA, provided training in airworthiness and operations for Bulgarian inspectors that helped to provide the basis for a general aviation oversight program.  The USTDA grant awarded today will help to establish the legal and regulatory structures needed to implement and enforce international air safety standards in Bulgaria.  Robinson Aviation Inc. of Falls Church, Virginia has worked with the CAA and FAA on air safety issues in Bulgaria and will provide the USTDA-funded technical assistance.

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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