BANGKOK, THAILAND - (August 22, 2003) Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $500,000 grant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand to promote a framework for implementing an efficient and secure trade system. The framework is consistent with the objectives established under the Secure Trade in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Region, or STAR, Initiative.

The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, The Honorable Darryl N. Johnson, signed an agreement conferring the grant on behalf of USTDA. Mr. Pradap Pibulsonggram, Director-General of the Technical and Economic Cooperation Department of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed for the Grantee. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, His Excellency Surakiart Sathirathai, participated in the grant signing ceremony, signifying the high priority of this bilateral project to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand.

At the APEC meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico in October 2002, APEC Leaders issued a joint statement on fighting terrorism and promoting growth, of which the STAR Initiative was a key component. The Leaders agreed on the clear goals of facilitating trade and strengthening trade security in the APEC region through a series of concrete measures. As a result of the STAR Initiative, the 21 APEC economies have pursued new partnerships and investments in security that would reduce the economic costs inflicted by terrorist acts and facilitate the secure movement of goods and people.

Consistent with the objectives of the STAR Initiatives, Thailand is developing the STAR: Bangkok/Laem Chabang Efficient and Secure Trade (BEST) Project, a demonstration of an end-to-end supply chain security system between the ports of Laem Chabang, Thailand and Seattle, Washington. The demonstration project will be presented to the APEC Leaders attending the APEC CEO Summit in Thailand in October 2003. The project promotes transport security improvements and capacity building for shippers, port operators, and public officials by showcasing the application of advanced security systems and procedures. The demonstration project will serve as a model for possible replication in the APEC region.

Utilizing its proven and existing electronic container sealing and tracking technology, Savi Technology, Inc., of San Francisco, California will perform the demonstration. The USTDA grant awarded today will also fund a cost/benefit analysis of the project. The analysis will use data generated by the demonstration to highlight the efficiencies and benefits of securing trade routes without increasing costs to exporters, a high priority of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand.

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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