Washington, D.C. - (May 14, 2001) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) provided $400,000 in grant assistance to Georgia for a feasibility study on the establishment of a regional air traffic control (ATC) system for the southern Caucasus. The grant was signed today at TDA by Giorgi Nijaradze, Deputy Minister of International Affairs at the Georgian Ministry of Transport and Communications and TDA Acting Director Barbara Bradford. Also present at the signing ceremony were Ambassador Tedo Japaridze of the Embassy of Georgia, Ambassador Arman Kirakossian of the Embassy of Armenia, and First Secretary Tahir Taghi-Zadeh of the Embassy of Azerbaijan.

The existing ATC capabilities of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan consist of a mix of assets directed toward serving individual national interests. A realignment of those assets into an Upper Information Region (UIR) encompassing the upper airspace (24.5 thousand feet and above) of the three countries would benefit each of the contributing members economically as well as significantly increase the safety of flight in that area. The feasibility study will examine current Armenian, Azeri, and Georgian airspace management capabilities and will recommend the necessary steps for the creation of a seamless regional airspace system managed through existing air traffic control centers.

Northrup Grumman will be the contractor for the study and will cost-share an additional $125,813. With this study Northrup Grumman plans to build on the company's ATC modernization project in Georgia, also supported by a TDA funded feasibility study, that was successfully implemented with U.S. Export-Import Bank financing.

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.

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