Remarks

Remarks for the Signing Ceremony for the Grant Agreement between USTDA and NAC Namibia: Windhoek Airports Master Plan Updates Feasibility Study
Dennise Mathieu, U.S. Ambassador to Namibia
American Cultural Center
August 13, 2009
10:00 a.m.

Good Morning.  Today’s another exciting day in the continuing partnership between the people of Namibia and the United States and our two governments. 

The United States Government has long been committed to assisting Namibia’s economic development through our various development agencies, as evidenced by programs like the Millennium Challenge Account and projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development. 

But the United States Government has several smaller development agencies as well, such as the United States Trade and Development Agency also known as USTDA.  USTDA advances economic growth in developing and middle income countries through the funding of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. 

USTDA has had a long and productive history of working with Namibia.  Since the mid 1990’s USTDA has provided grant assistance -- mainly through the funding of feasibility studies -- to the agriculture, fisheries, rail, air transport, and energy sectors.  A recent USTDA grant helped the Electricity Control Board develop its Independent Power Producer framework, a framework that many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere are looking to emulate. 

Today I’m pleased USTDA will add a new chapter to its history of cooperation in Namibia.  Advocate Asino and I will sign an agreement this morning which provides for USTDA to commit over $393,000 American dollars to fund a feasibility study to assist the Namibia Airports Company with the development of master plan updates for the Hosea Kutako International and Eros airports. 

The Louis Berger Group based in the United States will contribute an additional $69,000 American dollars toward the completion of the study, bringing the total budget to over $460,000 American dollars. 

This public-private partnership follows earlier collaboration between USTDA and the Namibia Airports Company, whereby USTDA funded a 2006 feasibility study for the Walvis Bay International Airport.  The aim of this new study is to provide the NaAC with an implementation plan for the modernization and expansion of the airports, including schematic designs, and drawings, as well as financing options for improvements at all three major airports -- Hosea Kutako, Eros and Walvis Bay. 

As we know, airports are a vital component of any country’s economic infrastructure.  And, well designed and managed airports are catalysts for tourism and business traffic.  The feasibility study is being supported under USTDA's African Trade Lanes Partnership, which will  advance the development of sub-Saharan Africa's most vital trade lanes and transportation networks and facilitate Namibia’s global integration and ability to trade with the rest of the world.

In his recent speech in Ghana, President Barack Obama spoke of the mutual benefits of partnership with African countries and of the opportunity to broaden prosperity through public-private partnerships.

Helping the Namibia Airports Company develop a well-designed plan to improve its infrastructure is one important component in our partnership with Namibia – a partnership rooted in promoting the economic prosperity of all Namibians.

Improved airport facilities will indeed encourage more business and tourist passenger traffic and thereby economic opportunities, not only in Windhoek but throughout Namibia.

And, that’s why I’m delighted to be here today to sign this agreement in behalf of the United States Trade and Development Agency.

Thank you.