For Immediate Release

CAIRO, EGYPT (February 10, 2004) – Trade and transportation security in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia is the focus of a major conference sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) in cooperation with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, State, Commerce and the World Customs Organization.  The event is designed to help nations to integrate new cargo and vessel security procedures and technologies into their operations.  The conference is taking place at the Grand Hyatt in Cairo, Egypt, and will continue through February 11, 2004.

“As economies become more interconnected through vast networks of supply chains, the importance of trade security becomes readily apparent,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey in remarks at the opening plenary.  “Increasingly, buyers want to know where their goods are in the supply chain.  They also want to know that their goods are safe and will arrive intact.  In short, trade security makes good business sense.”

Under the theme Secure Trade Through New Partnerships and New Technologies, the conference is covering a variety of topics, including the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Advanced Manifest Information rules, the Container Security Initiative and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.  The forum is also focusing on the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, and the World Customs Organization’s supply chain security standards.

Other topics include public-private initiatives, such as the Safe and Secure Trade Lanes Initiative and Operation Safe Commerce.  In addition, more than a dozen projects in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia in the areas of port and airport modernization and the modernization of customs and tracking information systems are being highlighted at the event. 

The conference program includes participation by senior U.S. Government and regional officials.  In addition to USTDA Director Askey, other speakers at the opening plenary session today were Egyptian Head of Maritime Transport Admiral Essam El Deen Badawy; U.S. Ambassador to Egypt C. David Welch; and Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Douglas M. Browning.  Mr. John Jamian, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, presented a keynote luncheon address.

Other participants in the forum include key representatives from maritime and civil aviation authorities, customs officials, port and airport operators, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, and corporate shippers.  Over 75 U.S. company representatives registered for the event, which garnered 14 sponsorships.

Many of the customs and port officials participating in the forum will also present information on a variety of projects under development to expand ports and airports and modernize customs and tracking information systems.  The projects featured present partnership and procurement opportunities for U.S. companies with security expertise.  Officials from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation are also present at the conference to discuss financing available to companies for projects in the region.

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.

The Transportation Forum is also featured in the
USTDA Update Spring 2004 Edition - Check it out