RIGA, LATVIA - (September 23, 2002) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) awarded a $306,310 grant today to the Administration of Local Self-Government Affairs of the Republic of Latvia to partially fund a feasibility study on an information technology (IT) network project. The U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Brian E. Carlson, signed an agreement conferring the grant on behalf of the U.S. Government and TDA in a signing ceremony at the Park Hotel Ridzene. The Deputy Director of the Administration of Local Self-Government Affairs, Mrs. Fatma Fridenberga, signed the agreement on behalf of the Grantee. The Minister of Special Tasks in the State Reforms, Mr. Janis Krumins, also attended the event.

The IT network project will develop a telecommunications infrastructure in small towns and cities, and will allow the country to share nationwide databases in real time. The TDA-funded study will begin with design and implementation of a pilot microwave communications network in Daugavpils, Latvia, continue with an evaluation of the pilot, and culminate in a plan to create a nationwide network to allow fluid communications between the municipalities of Latvia and state government information resources. This network will help Latvian municipalities to obtain high-bandwidth data communication lines and link municipal databases on a nationwide basis.

The Administration of Local Self-Government Affairs will use the TDA grant to contract with Belam Inc., a U.S. firm based in River Edge, New Jersey, to perform the feasibility study. Belam and the Daugavpils District Government, will contribute $102,450 toward the completion of the study.

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, conferences, 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.

Back to Press Releases