South Balkan Transportaton Officials to Take Part in Reverse Trade Mission with Local Tidewater Businesses

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC (24 March 1999) - Thirteen senior-level transportation officials from Albania, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia will visit with Tidewater companies over the next three days as part of a reverse trade mission sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). The officials are in the United States to take part in the 12th Coordinating Group meeting for the South Balkan Development Initiative, a $30 million initiative announced by President Clinton in 1995. SBDI is designed to help Albania, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia further develop and integrate their transportation infrastructure along the east-west corridor that connects them. TDA is responsible for implementing the initiative. To date, the agency has facilitated more than 50 American companies enter the South Balkan market through the funding of feasibility studies, and technical and procurement assistance.

"A key component to exporting American goods and services is allowing U.S. businesses to showcase their products in action," said TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison. "TDA is pleased to match these foreign project sponsors that are responsible for procuring transportation equipment with Virginia's finest producers of port and rail technology."

The group will meet with officials from the Virginia Port Authority to discuss multimodal and intermodal operations, analyze transportation routes, and view port and rail activities and equipment. In addition to this meeting, the group will also tour the Virginia International Terminals. Tidewater companies expected to take part in the site visits include Parsons Brinckerhoff, Frederic R. Harris Management, Norfolk Southern Railroad Company, and Sea-Land Services. The foreign delegation will also meet with Hampton area road, bridge, and tunnel authorities and suppliers of road and bridge monitoring and maintenance equipment. The purpose of the meetings is to plug these companies into the millions of dollars in export opportunities that will be available as the South Balkan transportation corridor is implemented.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is an independent federal agency that assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA provides American firms with market entry, exposure and information through the funding of feasibility studies, technical assistance, reverse trade missions, and conferences. These efforts help American businesses establish a position in newly emerging economies.

For more information on the SBDI Meeting

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