Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Department of Commerce's Management Training for Africa (MTA) SACU Inter-Modal Logistics Program (July 14-25, 2003)

1. What is MTA? The Management Training for Africa (MTA) Program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration designed to offer trade capacity building for the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries as they embark upon free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United States. Ports and roads are at the heart of transportation infrastructure, and the development and enhancement of this infrastructure will assist these Southern African nations in creating effective distribution mechanisms and facilitate their ability to take advantage of the US-SACU FTA. The MTA Program espouses the spirit of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in fostering, promoting, and developing U.S. commercial activities with Southern Africa - one of the most commercially viable regions on the continent. MTA is designed to facilitate the development and modernization of SACU's transportation infrastructure to address a critical necessity for the region's economic growth.

2. What type of training will the MTA Program provide? The participants will be trained as a group throughout the two-week program. All of the training will be based on the needs of the selected group, with a particular focus on inter-modal logistics. Participants will attend an initial orientation and training session in the Washington, D.C. area that will encompass such topics as sources of financing, strategic planning, and high-tech developments in transportation infrastructure. Delegates will also participate in a training course offered by the National Highway Institute, a division of the Federal Highway Administration. The remaining portion will consist of site visits to ports in Baltimore and New Orleans and meetings and training opportunities with U.S. companies, institutions, and state transportation departments. Training will focus on key areas related to transportation infrastructure, with a specific emphasis on inter-modal logistics.

3. Which countries are involved? Participants are from countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) -- Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland.

4. Who are the participants? The group is made up of mid-level government and parastatal officials from the five SACU countries who have experience in or current portfolios relevant to the transportation infrastructure industry with a focus on roads, rail, and ports and their integration.

Sponsoring Organizations

U.S. Department of Commerce
City of New Orleans
Louisiana Economic Development
Tidewater Inc.
URS Walk Haydel
World Trade Center of New Orleans

Cost: $25 for members of the sponsoring organizations and companies. 
$30 for non-members.

If you are a WTC member, the registration fee can be charged to your account number noted on the registration form. 

Click here for driving directions to the WTC.