Brasília, Brazil – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded two grants to Brazil’s National Association of Passenger Rail Operators, Associação Nacional dos Transportadores de Passageiros sobre Trilhos (ANPTrilhos), to strengthen rail networks that serve nearly 10 million passengers each day. USTDA’s grants will fund the development of two technical assistance plans – one for energy efficiency and the other for enterprise asset management – helping Brazil’s passenger rail operators emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic and better able to meet the demands of their customers.

“ANPTrilhos’ vision for a safer and more energy efficient passenger rail system is one that USTDA is proud to support,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “U.S. companies offer world-leading solutions in this space and are eager to partner with Brazil as it continues transforming its rail infrastructure to meet the demands of its customers. Our collaboration with ANPTrilhos is helping to make that happen.”

Brazil’s passenger rail operators are prioritizing solutions that will reduce costs and improve energy efficiency across their entire rail systems. In addition, the recent expansion of Brazil’s passenger rail systems has increased the need for more efficient management of rail assets. USTDA’s technical assistance program with ANPTrilhos will help plan and implement a range of information and communications technology investments to optimize the maintenance of the systems, as well as identify energy efficiency solutions that are specific to the needs of Brazil’s operators.

“Public passenger transport has experienced a severe crisis worldwide,” said ANPTrilhos CEO Joubert Flores. “Our cooperation with USTDA will improve efficiency and reduce costs related to asset and energy management, preparing Brazil’s passenger rail systems for a faster recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

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