April 10, 2002

TDA Signs Grant With Romania Cable Systems (RCS)

 

Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) signed a grant for $309,300 with Romania Cable Systems (RCS) to provide technical assistance on 'last-mile solution' cable pilot projects in three different Romanian cities. The U.S. Commercial Attaché, Jonathan L. Marks, participated in the signing ceremony along with RCS General Manager Mr. Alexandru Oprea. This project opportunity will be competitively bid amongst qualified U.S. firms, with work set to start in early summer.

RCS is one of the largest Internet service and cable television providers in Romania. RCS currently serves approximately 800,000 subscribers on a network extending from Romania into Hungary and Slovakia. As RCS is one of the major providers of data transmission services in Romania, the firm will be a key competitor in the Romanian telecommunications market as privatization approaches. The three pilot projects, to be conducted in Bucharest, Arad and Oradea, will determine the best connectivity option in preparation for a larger roll-out to provide telephony services. RCS will evaluate various U.S. manufactured products in order to determine which best compliments the existing backbone equipment. Export opportunities for this project are significant: RCS plans to invest US$100 million over the next two years into their operations.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation by helping U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, we help 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. Since 1992, TDA has invested over US$13 million in a wide variety of activities in Romania intended to assist in the economic and social development of the country. Visit TDA's Website at www.tda.gov.