WASHINGTON, D.C. - (February 1, 2002) Earlier today, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) Deputy Director Barbara Bradford signed a $189,000 grant agreement at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to fund a technical advisor to the Venezuelan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CONATEL). Mr. Jesse Chácon, Director General, signed the agreement on behalf of CONATEL. Mr. Franco Silva, General Manager of Operations, and Ms. Layla Macc Adan, Director of International Relations, also represented CONATEL at the signing ceremony.

CONATEL will use the grant to contract a U.S. company to help develop and implement a long-term incremental cost model for interconnection. This technical assistance grant is the second TDA has provided to CONATEL in support of its ambitious and successful program of regulatory reform and market opening. The first TDA funded technical advisor provided analysis and assistance in the development of key policies related to market structuring. With the information gleaned through that TDA supported work, CONATEL is now poised to move its regulatory reforms to a new phase. TDA is pleased to continue its support of CONATEL's important work through the awarding of a second technical assistance grant.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation by helping U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, we help American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world.

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