BELGRADE - (August 22, 2003) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $376,000 grant today to the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia to partially fund a feasibility study on the redevelopment and expansion of the Belgrade International Airport. The grant is an example of the USTDA commitment to assist Serbia & Montenegro in the development of its transportation infrastructure.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia in Belgrade. Mr. Robert L. Norman, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, signed the grant on behalf of the U.S. Government. Her Excellency Marija Raseta-Vukosavljevic, Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, signed on behalf of the Republic of Serbia. Also in attendance were Mr. Patrick Hughes, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and Mr. Miodrag Jocic, Deputy Minister of Transport and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia.

The proposed project seeks to optimize commercial operations at Belgrade International Airport. If implemented, the project would increase revenues in cargo and passenger handling and ancillary developments, such as offices, industrial parks, and leisure properties. In particular, the project would expand the freight and cargo handling facilities at the airport to create a hub that can support the long-term needs of the region.

The USTDA-funded study will verify the demand for the airport, perform legal and regulatory due diligence and market analysis, and examine engineering and design conditions. Squire, Sanders and Dempsey will conduct the study and contribute funds toward the cost of its completion. The firm is acting on behalf of an advisory group, which includes Fieldstone, as co-lead advisor with Squire, Sanders and Dempsey; Simat Hilliesen & Eicher, as market and feasibility advisor; and Gensler, LLP and Parsons Brinckerhoff International, as architectural, engineering, and planning advisors.

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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