HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------Text: TDA Provides $500,000 to Support EBRD Road Loan in Serbia
(Grant will establish plans for a national road system) (599)
On July 31, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) signed a
$500,000
grant with the Roads Directorate of the Republic of Serbia to
provide
technical assistance in developing plans for a national road
system.
According to the TDA press release, once the Roads Management and
Recovery
Plan has been completed, the European Bank for Reconstruction
and
Development (EBRD) will
release the rehabilitation portion of the �76
million road sector loan
that will start the construction phase of the
project.
Following is the text of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency
press
release:
(begin text)
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Washington, D.C.
July 31,
2002
TDA PROVIDES $500,000 TO SUPPORT EBRD ROAD LOAN IN SERBIA
Belgrade, Yugoslavia
July 31, 2002
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) signed a $500,000 grant
today
with the Roads Directorate of the Republic of Serbia to
examine
investments in its road sector. This grant will provide the
technical
assistance and due diligence for a �76 million road sector loan
from the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which was
signed
concurrently with the TDA grant. This assistance marks a continuation
of
TDA's commitment to supporting the development of roads infrastructure
in
the region. In a signing ceremony held at the Palace of the
Federation,
the grant was signed by the U.S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Mr.
William D.
Montgomery, and Mr. Tihomir Timotijevic, Director of the Serbian
Roads
Directorate.
The technical assistance will be directed at restructuring the
roads
sector in Serbia, with the main focus being on road financing and
road
planning. There is currently a lack of working systems for
collecting,
storing and using data and information about the road network.
The
establishment of updated institutional tools and mechanisms will
encourage
better planning, more transparent procurement and a gradual
increase in
the amount of road tolls, fees and taxes that are allocated to
supporting
the road system.
This three-phase study will assist the Roads Directorate in producing
a
five-year road plan for national roads, based on up-to-date
network
information and improved information management systems.
Successful
completion of the study is a requirement for implementation of
the
rehabilitation program loans provided by the EBRD. The Roads
Management
and Recovery Plan will form the basis for rehabilitation.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private
sector
participation in developing and middle-income countries, with
special
emphasis on economic sectors that represent significant U.S.
export
potential. By funding various forms of technical assistance,
training
grants, feasibility studies, orientation visits, and business
workshops,
TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects
in
emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity
building
initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy
and
development objectives around the world.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs,
U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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