MEXICO CITY - (September 25, 2003) Yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $431,000 grant to the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) to fund technical assistance related to the modernization of Mexico's national transportation network through the application of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Mr. Jerry Mitchell, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, signed an agreement conferring the grant on behalf of the U.S. Government. Dr. Aaron Dychter, Undersecretary of Transportation for SCT, signed on behalf of the Grantee.

SCT is the Ministry responsible for the Mexican national transportation network and for the development, implementation and integration of ITS in Mexico. SCT's primary objective is that all ITS applications in Mexico should be carried out in an integrated, compatible, and interoperable manner to improve all modes of mobility within the country and across its borders.

The USTDA grant awarded yesterday is central to SCT's efforts to develop a national architecture plan that will help to frame the future of Mexico's transportation system by harmonizing the seven regional networks within an ever-expanding national transportation system. The grant is the first awarded by the agency to SCT and reflects the USTDA commitment to support trade capacity-building projects that expand a developing country's ability to engage in international commerce. Moreover, the grant is consistent with the goals of the Partnership for Prosperity initiative between Mexico and the United States, which was launched by U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Vincente Fox in 2001.

The USTDA-funded technical assistance will define an ITS deployment plan, review the legal barriers that could potentially impact ITS implementation, and define financial mechanisms. The technical assistance will also evaluate the latest ITS technologies available, and identify the manufacturers, suppliers and vendors of systems, services, and equipment technology in the current ITS market.

A U.S. firm will be competitively selected to provide the USTDA-funded technical assistance. USTDA will issue a Request for Proposals, via the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fedbizopps.gov, to tender proposals on the provision of expert services related to ITS and transportation network design.

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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