Press Releases
USTDA Grant Supports Railway Component Standards Harmonization in Russia
September 02, 2005
CONTACT: Donna Thiessen (703) 875-4357
Moscow – Earlier today, The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $291,664 grant to the Russian Federal Agency of Railway Transport to fund technical assistance to facilitate the harmonization of selected U.S. and Russian railroad car and component standards.
Harmonization of standards would allow U.S. manufacturers interested in selling their components in Russia to have their products tested and certified by the Transportation Technology Center, based in Pueblo, Colorado. The grant was conferred at a signing ceremony at the U.S. Embassy. U.S. Ambassador William J. Burns and Mr. Mikhail Akulov, Director signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. government and the Federal Agency of Railway Transport, respectively.
This technical assistance will benefit U.S. companies by eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming testing and certification of their products in Russia. The Russian railway system will benefit by gaining additional technology options and additional sources of supply as they revitalize the Russian railcar fleet.
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 http://www.tda.gov/