BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – Today, the Special Administrative Unit for Civil Aeronautics of Colombia (also known as Aerocivil) and U.S. engineering services firm T.Y. Lin (Coral Gables, FL) signed a contract to update the master plan for the development of El Dorado International Airport in Bogota. This contract was made possible through a grant made by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to support the expansion of Colombia's aviation sector, a key driver of Colombia's economic growth.

As a result of Colombia's economic success and security gains over the past decade, El Dorado International Airport has witnessed tremendous and unanticipated growth in passenger traffic. The technical assistance contract, valued at over $891,000, will establish criteria for the capacity and efficiency improvements needed for the modernization and expansion of El Dorado International Airport, Colombia's largest and most important airport. The Master Plan Update will also include recommendations for equipment, particularly related to terminal technology and security improvements, representing export opportunities for U.S. firms involved in the aviation sector.

"USTDA has a robust working relationship with Aerocivil, and we are proud to support this important project for the further development of Colombia's air transportation infrastructure," said USTDA Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Nathan Younge.

Previously, USTDA assisted Aerocivil by developing a CNS/ATM Transition Plan and a related Aeronautical Meteorology System, which has thus far resulted in the acquisition of more than $10 million in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services. More recently, Aerocivil participated in USTDA's Aviation Cooperation Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean, which enabled Colombian officials to gain greater exposure to U.S. technologies and best practices in airport modernization and general aviation.

The contract was signed by on behalf of Aerocivil by Director General Santiago Castro, and on behalf of T.Y. Lin by Juan Nuñez, Vice President. They were joined at the signing ceremony by Cynthia A. Griffin, Regional Director for the Western Hemisphere, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Nicole DeSilvis, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá

USTDA Supports Launch of New Wastewater Treatment System for Cartagena

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, COLOMBIA – Today, USTDA awarded a grant to the Cartagena Water and Sewerage Company (known as ACUACAR) for technical assistance on the start-up of the new, comprehensive wastewater treatment system for the city of Cartagena. The grant was signed on behalf of USTDA by Senior Commercial Officer Cameron Werker, and on behalf of ACUACAR by General Manager Francisco Pérez Tena.

USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak stated, “USTDA is proud to partner with ACUACAR on this project, which will leverage U.S. expertise to have a tangible impact on public health and the environment in this key tourism destination and port city.”

ACUACAR is a public-private enterprise, which provides potable water and sewerage services in Cartagena. The $513,000 grant will support the integration of existing wastewater subsystems; the startup of a new wastewater system; the creation of an environmental water quality baseline assessment; and the design of an ongoing water quality monitoring program, including recommendations for environmental remediation in an adjacent sea inlet. Additionally, it will also assist with designs for the expansion of the water and wastewater treatment system in the city, especially as it relates to automation and control, monitoring and equipment necessary for operations.

ACUACAR plans to contract for the design and subsequently the construction of the new potable water plant in Albornoz (immediately south of Cartagena), which would have a capacity of 160,000 cubic meters per day, thus increasing the system’s capacity by more than a third.

This technical assistance activity will provide significant opportunities for the involvement of U.S. firms in the expansion of the water and wastewater treatment system in the city of Cartagena. The selected contractor will organize a workshop in Cartagena to disseminate best practices in water and wastewater treatment in Colombia, with an emphasis on modern treatment technologies, automation, control, monitoring, and engineering and environmental services. Further information about submitting a bid for the opportunity to conduct this technical assistance will be posted on USTDA’s website (www.ustda.gov) and on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov).