Homeland Security

24 September 2003

USTDA Supports Bulgarian Civil Aviation Security System

$296,530 grant for evaluation of security at four airports, master plan

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a $296,530 grant to the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration to provide technical assistance on the modernization of the Administration's civil aviation security system -- including the evaluation of security procedures at four airports and identification of measures needed to comply with new International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Following is the USTDA press release:

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U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Washington, D.C.
September 23, 2003

USTDA SUPPORTS CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY SYSTEM IN BULGARIA

SOFIA, BULGARIA - (September 23, 2003) - On September 19, 2003, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $296,530 grant to the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration to provide technical assistance on the modernization and restructuring of the Administration's civil aviation security system. The grant reflects the commitment of USTDA to assist Bulgaria in instituting its new civil aviation security policies and procedures.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony at the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Honorable James W. Pardew, U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, signed the grant on behalf of the U.S. Government. His Excellency Nikolay Vasilev, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Transport and Communications, signed on behalf of the Bulgarian Government. Ambassador Pardew gave remarks at the signing ceremony on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Sofia.

The USTDA grant will fund technical assistance on the development of a comprehensive "Security Master Plan" for the civil aviation security system in Bulgaria. The Civil Aviation Administration has identified four major international airports as priorities. The USTDA-funded technical assistance will evaluate the security policies and procedures currently in place at those airports, and identify measures needed to comply with new International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

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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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)