SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - (October 8, 2003) Yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) participated in a press conference at the World Trade Center in Seattle on the Secure Trade in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Region, or STAR, Bangkok/Laem Chabang Efficient and Secure Trade (BEST) Project. The project is a demonstration of an end-to-end supply chain security system between the ports of Laem Chabang, Thailand and Seattle, Washington. It will be presented at the APEC CEO Summit October 18-21, 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand.

USTDA Assistant to the Director for Policy Planning and Regional Director for Asia Geoffrey Jackson represented the agency at the event. During his remarks, he highlighted the agency's role in support of the STAR BEST project and in transportation security projects around the world.

"Security and related trade facilitation measures are important to the growth of worldwide trade. Economies must promote the efficient and reliable movement of people and goods across borders to remain competitive, while preventing the tools of transport from becoming the tools of terrorism," Jackson stated.

In August, USTDA awarded a $500,000 grant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand to promote a framework for implementing an efficient and secure trade system. The USTDA grant will be used to fund cost/benefit analysis associated with the STAR BEST project, as well as the end-to-end secure supply chain pilot project.

In addition to the STAR BEST project, USTDA is actively engaged in funding activities that directly support trade facilitation, global transportation and security objectives. USTDA has undertaken a number of transportation security related projects throughout the world involving customs modernization, vessel and cargo tracking systems, and seaport and airport security up-grades. Many of these activities are in support of the Container Security Initiative (CSI), the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO's) safety and security standards. The following examples offer a brief overview of recent USTDA transportation security activities worldwide.

Africa and Middle East Transportation and Trade Security Forum : USTDA is sponsoring an Africa/Middle East region-wide conference, in Cairo in February 2004, to promote policies, practices and equipment that promote secure and efficient trade throughout the supply chain at seaports and airports in the region. The conference is being developed consistent with the practices of CSI and C-TPAT.

Thailand Airport Security Study : USTDA provided a grant for a Feasibility Study to assess Bangkok's International Airport security system requirements, investment requirements, training needs, and financing options. The study was recently completed, and made several recommendations for improvements, including an investment in in-line hold baggage-screening equipment.

STAR Conference : USTDA, along with the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, co-hosted an APEC-wide conference in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss policies and equipment that could be implemented at seaports and airports in the region to promote secure and efficient trade.

AEROTHAI Ground Communications : USTDA awarded a grant to Thailand's AEROTHAI to establish the technical and financial requirements for the implementation of a ground communications system at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

China Airport Security Study : USTDA provided funds to hire a contractor to work with the Southwest Regional General Administration of Civil Aviation of China to develop a strategic plan for airport security in the region.

Philippines Transportation Definitional Mission : USTDA completed a Definitional Mission (DM) to the Philippines to identify priority transportation projects focusing on airport and port facilities and examining overall efficiency, safety and security. The DM is recommending several projects for USTDA funding.

Port of Tanjung Priok Information Technology (IT) Integration and Telecommunications Project : This IT and telecommunications activity with Indonesia's Port of Tanjung Priok will help improve the port's customs operations, security infrastructure, and flow of trade.

Hang Nadim International Airport Security Assessment : This grant to Indonesia's Batam Island Development Authority will fund a comprehensive security assessment at the Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Indonesia. This project will greatly contribute to the airport's security infrastructure, including the flow of cargo and passengers.

Shanghai Model Port : USTDA provided grant funding to the Shanghai Customs Authority for training to help officials implement and utilize IT equipment that was to be procured as part of the Shanghai Model Port Project in China.

Asia Regional Aviation Security Conference : USTDA hosted an aviation security conference in Bangkok, Thailand to promote discussion about new security practices and the equipment and technology needed for implementation.

Jordan Center for Aviation : USTDA provided a grant to Jordan's Civil Aviation Authority to modernize border security procedures and facilities. USTDA's support led to the establishment of the new ICAO-certified regional Jordan Center for Aviation.

Gulf of Suez Vessel Traffic System (VTS) : USTDA provided funding for a feasibility study to the Egyptian Ministry of Maritime Transport for the construction of a VTS system. Lockheed Martin Corporation was awarded the contract for the Vessel Traffic Services Pilot Project. The system utilizes modern communications, computers and MIS equipment to keep track of shipping in the Gulf and reduce the possibility of collisions at sea.

Latin American Airport Security Orientation Visit : USTDA supported an orientation visit of Latin American airport security officials to introduce them to the standards required by the Transportation Security Administration and demonstrate the latest advances in security technology.

Central America Customs X-Ray Inspection : USTDA funded a Feasibility Study to introduce new technology in the area of automated manifest verification within seven Central American economies. The technology will improve security at ports, deter trade fraud and increase revenues for these developing economies.

Civil Aviation and Security in Uzbekistan : USTDA provided a grant to the Department of State Inspection for Flight Safety Oversight Uzbekistan to establish a program and technological requirements necessary to modernize the Uzbek Civil Aviation Security System at the nation's international airports.

Aviation Safety and Security Training in Turkey : USTDA is providing funds for safety and security training to assist the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation in meeting minimum ICAO standards.

Telecommunications Study for the Modernizations of Customs in Moldova : USTDA is providing funding for a study to upgrade and modernize the telecommunications system of the Moldova Department of Customs. The study is in preparation for a World Bank-funded project to strengthen Customs administrations and other border control agencies in Southeastern Europe.

Aviation Security Master Plan in Bulgaria : USTDA is assisting the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications to modernize and restructure that country's civil aviation security system. This technical assistance will evaluate current security policies and procedures, identify measures needed to comply with new ICAO standards, and develop an overall plan for modernizing and restructuring Bulgaria's civil aviation security system.

Aviation Security Master Plan in Romania : USTDA is assisting the Romanian Ministry of Public Works, Transports and Housing to modernize and restructure that country's civil aviation security system. This technical assistance will evaluate current security policies and procedures, identify measures needed to comply with new ICAO standards, and develop an overall plan for modernizing and restructuring Bulgaria's civil aviation security system.

Sri Lanka Seaport and Airport Security Assessment and Procurement Assistance : USTDA is assisting the Sri Lanka Ministry of Policy Development and Implementation with plans to upgrade their security at Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport. The Government of Sri Lanka and Customs Border Protection are working toward making Colombo a CSI port.

Philippines Seafarers Identification System : USTDA is assisting the Philippines with the development of an improved identification system for its 550,000 international seafarers. The assistance will help the Philippines to meet the International Labor Organization's new guidelines for seafarers' identity documents.

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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