July 7, 2003

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

USTDA SUPPORTS FIBER OPTIC NETWORK PROJECT IN SERBIA

BELGRADE – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $325,936 grant to Serbia Broadband – Srpske Kablovske Mreze d.o.o. (SBB) to fund a feasibility study on a republic-wide fiber optic network project in Serbia. The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony at the offices of SBB. USTDA Chief of Staff Carl Kress signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government, and Mr. Dragan Solak, General Manager, signed on behalf of SBB. Also present at the ceremony were Regional Director for Europe, Ned Cabot, and US Embassy Belgrade Commercial Attaché, Patrick Hughes.

SBB is planning to install a fiber optic backbone network infrastructure. The USTDA-funded feasibility study will help SBB to assess the technical and economic viability of the proposed network and to review the legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements of the project.

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.

Visit USTDA’s Website at www.tda.gov