U.S. Trade and Development Agency

1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600 * Arlington, Virginia 22209

Telephone (703) 875-4357 * Fax (703) 875-4009

USTDA SUPPORTS MANAGUA INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT MODERNIZATION

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA - (August 29, 2006) Completing the modernization plans for the Managua International Airport to support increased traffic stemming from the implementation of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is the goal of a USTDA grant awarded today to Nicaragua’s International Airport Administration, Empresa Administradora de Aeropuertos Internacionales (EAAI).  By increasing overall airport capacity and security standards, the grant reflects the agency’s continued commitment to the CAFTA-DR Trade Integration Initiative.

The $324,180 grant was conferred in a ceremony held at the Managua International Airport.  USTDA’s Director for Policy and Program, Geoffrey Jackson, formalized the agency’s support for the project by signing a grant agreement with EAAI’s President of the Board of Directors, Danilo Lacayo Rappaccioli. Vice President of the Republic of Nicaragua, Alfredo Gomez Urcuyo, was in attendance along with other distinguished cabinet members.  U.S.  Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Peter Brennan, served as a witness at the ceremony.

USTDA launched the CAFTA-DR Trade Integration Initiative in October 2005 to further CAFTA-DR implementation by building strong public-private partnerships within Central America and fostering continued momentum for increased trade and economic development in the region.  The Initiative targets projects for support in the transportation, energy, and information and communications technology sectors.   Today’s grant will further the Initiative’s objectives by funding technical assistance to EAAI to develop a plan for a new air cargo facility, an improved runway airfield lighting system and an integrated security system for the entire airport. 

Investing in transportation infrastructure as a means to increase trade and reduce poverty is also a focus of the Plan-Puebla-Panama, an important regional program established in 2001 to provide a framework for the development of specific sectors.  One of the priorities of the Plan-Puebla-Panama is the development of Central American air cargo facilities as a vital component of a consolidated, multimodal system encompassing airports, ports, railroads and roads. 

The opportunity to conduct the study will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fedbizopps.gov.  Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions contained in the Federal Business Opportunities announcement.  EAAI will select the U.S. contractor that will perform the study. 

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, early investment analysis, 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.