U.S. TDA: Current Press Release

TDA Grant to Help Provide Internet Access to Georgian Schools

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC - (March 30, 2000) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) has awarded a $143,020 grant to the Georgian Ministry of Education for a feasibility study on the establishment of several internet-based communications centers throughout the Republic of Georgia. The grant was signed today at a ceremony in Tbilisi by U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kenneth Yalowitz and Georgian Minister of Education Alexander Kartozia.

Because on Georgia's growing economy, there is a significant demand for Internet access in several urban areas. This TDA-funded feasibility study will be conducted by i-world, a U.S. Internet and telecommunications company, in cooperation with SANET, Georgia's largest internet service provider. Once implemented, the project will provide affordable Internet access and telecommunications services to large segments of Georgia's 5.5 million people. i-world intends to locate its communications centers primarily in existing educational facilities so that school children can use them free of charge. The centers would remain open during evenings and weekends so that other citizens could use them on a fee-basis. i-world would be the first private Internet/telecommunications enterprise in the former Soviet Union to establish Internet communications centers that provide affordable and accessible computer and Internet access.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, an agency of the U.S. Government, helps form mutually beneficial partnerships between U.S. private sector companies and overseas project sponsors. Last year, TDA provided assistance in 67 nations around the world.

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