The U.S. is partnering with Brazilian officials to help expand their country’s airport, airspace and security infrastructure, while opening up new trade opportunities for U.S. companies.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole and U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Leocadia Zak on April 9 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing the U.S.-Brazil Aviation Partnership with Brazil’s minister of external relations, Antonio Patriota (Aviation Daily, April 10).

The partnership, which will involve both public and private cooperation, will expand on the two nations’ cooperation in areas such as airport expansion, airspace management, safety and security. In addition to the public cooperation, about a half-dozen companies have agreed to participate in the partnership.

One of the partnership’s first initiatives will involve the Airports Modernization Technologies Reverse Trade Mission that the U.S. will host in June. U.S. technologies, best practices and regulatory approaches for airports modernization will be explained to a delegation of Brazilian officials, Aviation Week reported.