ARUSHA, TANZANIA - (June 11, 2003) Yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $199,960 technical assistance grant to the East African Community, which is comprised of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. The grant will assist in the development of a plan to implement modern Global Positioning System (GPS)/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to improve air traffic safety in the region.

The innovative regional grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held in Arusha, Tanzania. Mr. Michael S. Owen, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government. Dr. Kipyego Cheluget, Deputy Secretary of the East African Community Secretariat, based in Arusha, Tanzania, signed on behalf of the Grantee.

The East African Community Secretariat will use the USTDA grant to contract with a U.S. company to carry out the technical assistance, which will focus on the implementation of GPS/GNSS systems at ten regional airports. The benefits of the proposed system and improvements to regional aviation safety include economic gains, noise and emissions benefits, and the simplification of procedures. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration support the project and will work with the East African Community during the study and during project implementation.

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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