BFIF 2004 END OF YEAR REPORT

UNCLAS ADANA 000150 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EB/CBA - DENNIS A. WINSTEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ABUD AMGT BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADANA SUBJECT: BFIF 2004 END OF YEAR REPORT REF: STATE 238763, STATE 248715 ¶1. Adana greatly appreciates the support from EB for two projects during 2004. Thanks to BFIF funding post was also able to send the American Corner/Gaziantep Director to Ankara for consulations with FCS staff from May 26-29, 2004. (Note: The American Corner is housed in the Gaziantep Chamber of Industry and is a partner in promoting understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey. End note.) The trip resulted in an improvement in the commercial information provided to the business community in the area covered by Consulate Adana. The American Corner director met with several FCS staff members regarding all FCS activities; in addition she was trained on internet sector and firm research, briefed on "doing business in Iraq" themes, provided with numerous books and website resources for the Gaziantep center, and provided information about FAS/ag finance. In the months after her training she fielded numerous inquiries including, to name just a few, requests for commercial and trade links to U.S. companies searching for lists of carpet and fabric producers, paint and chemical companies and industrial kitchen equipment providers. ¶2. BFIF funding also allowed teh Deputy Principal Officer to accompany a group of Turkish businessmen on a business mission to Washington in April 2004 in conjunction with the American Turkish Council's (ATC) 23rd annual meeting, which is regularly attended by all of the major U.S. companies doing business in Turkey, the small and medium U.S. firms doing business or looking to expand here, and their Turkish counterparts. BFIF support to this non-FSC post allowed us to continue to showcase SE Turkey as a potential new market for American goods and services and to reach out in ways that would not be possible without this funding. Financial accounting for the projects is being provided septel. REID