WASHINGTON, DC - (July 24, 2002) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) signed a grant agreement yesterday with the Ministry of Economic Development & Tourism of KwaZulu Natal Province (KzN), South Africa. The $500,000 grant will partially fund a $1,224,100 feasibility study on the establishment of an integrated freight rail link (IFRL) between South Africa's largest ports, Durban and Richards Bay, and its economic center, Gauteng Province. CSX World Terminals will conduct the study in association with AECOM Facilities. Both U.S. firms specialize in rail, port, and intermodal projects. CSX World Terminals will contribute $724,100 toward the study's completion.

"TDA is very pleased to support this innovative intermodal project for modernizing South Africa's key transport and trade corridor," stated TDA Director Thelma Askey, who signed the agreement on behalf of TDA. Minister Mike Mabuyaku hulu, Minister of Economic Development & Tourism, who signed on behalf of the government of KwaZulu Natal Province, praised the project as one that supports both the Province's and South Africa's economic growth goals, as well as the priority regional trade objectives of NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development).

The feasibility study will provide specific recommendations for an integrated multimodal approach for freight traffic to efficiently transport ocean cargo containers between Durban and Johannesburg. The study also will provide specific recommendations to the Government of South Africa; its public business entities, Spoornet and Portnet; and future private operators. If implemented, the project will greatly improve the efficiency of the current line and the availability of goods and services throughout South Africa.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation in developing and middle-income countries, with special emphasis on economic sectors that represent significant U.S. export potential. By funding various forms of technical assistance, training grants, feasibility studies, orientation visits, and business workshops, TDA helps 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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