| Press Statement Office of the Press Secretary Kabul, Afghanistan September 2, 2003 USTDA Provides Assistance to Afghanistan in Civil AviationReleased by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a grant agreement last week to provide technical assistance related to the aviation sector in Afghanistan. The agreement was signed on August 27, 2003 by Mr. David Sedney, Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, on behalf of the U.S. Government and by His Excellency Mirwais Sadeq, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan. The USTDA grant of $333,304 covers the development of a strategic business plan for Ariana Afghan Airlines, the state-owned carrier. Ariana, like many Afghan organizations, has suffered from 25 years of invasion and civil war, but the airline is still flying, mainly on domestic routes. The USTDA-funded strategic business plan will include recommendations on the restructuring of Ariana, including privatization, and an analysis of market demand and traffic, as well as organizational requirements and staffing needs.
In addition to the grant agreement, Minister Sadeq signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding, which will allow for additional USTDA assistance in establishing a legal and regulatory regime for civil aviation and in evaluating the training needs of the civil aviation sector. Specialists from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will provide this assistance. Historically, the FAA played a key role in the development of civil aviation in Afghanistan. A USTDA-funded FAA team visited the country last September to renew the relationship.
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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