For Immediate Release

SAO TOME, SAO TOME & PRINCIPE (February 19, 2004) – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded grants to the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Land Affairs of Sao Tome & Principe to fully fund two infrastructure development studies.  The first grant, in the amount of $450,000, will fund a feasibility study on the development of a deepwater port on Sao Tome.  The second grant, totaling $350,000, will fund technical assistance to assist with a development plan for Sao Tome’s airport.  The grants represent the first investments by USTDA in Sao Tome & Principe. 

The grants were conferred in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Land Affairs.  The Honorable Kenneth P. Moorefield, U.S. Ambassador to Sao Tome & Principe, signed agreements conferring the grants on behalf of the U.S. Government.  The Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure and Land Affairs of Sao Tome & Principe, His Excellency Antonio Quintas do Espirito Santo, signed the agreements on behalf of the Grantee.

The deepwater port construction and airport expansion projects are designed to make Sao Tome & Principe more accessible for trade and travel.  Currently, the lack of a deepwater port and the limited capacity of the airport hinder the country’s economic growth and development.  At present, major oceangoing ships are forced to anchor over a mile offshore, while small lighter vessels transport items to the single pier at the country’s shallow draft port.  Once at the pier, items are individually offloaded into a small, overcrowded receiving area.  Similarly, air transport for passengers and cargo is constrained by the existing airport facilities on Sao Tome, which are not adequate by international standards and will not accommodate future growth.

The USTDA grants awarded today will provide economic, financial, and environmental analysis needed to implement both projects.  In particular, the USTDA-funded deepwater port study will review potential sites and identify the optimal location for the port, as well as make recommendations on its operation.  The USTDA-supported technical assistance program will assist with the development of a strategy for the expansion and modernization of Sao Tome’s current airport facilities. 

The Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Land Affairs of Sao Tome & Principe will competitively select qualified U.S. firms to conduct the feasibility study and provide the technical assistance.  The opportunities will be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fedbizopps.gov when there are open for bid.       

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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