MANAMA'S REQUEST FOR FY04 BFIF FUNDING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000278 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/CBA: DWINSTEAD, EB/EX, NEA/ARP: PHEFFERNAN CAIRO FOR STEVE BONDY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP BTIO EINV ETRD ABUD BA SUBJECT: MANAMA'S REQUEST FOR FY04 BFIF FUNDING REF: STATE 242589, 03 STATE 335536 ¶1. SUMMARY: Manama requests USD 7000 in funding from the FY04 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) to establish and equip a resource center for a new chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain. END SUMMARY. ¶2. BACKGROUND: In FY03, BFIF supported AmCham Bahrain formation by funding visits from AmCham Cairo representatives to Bahrain to discuss the purpose and importance of an AmCham for the U.S. business community to reinforce and coalesce increase interest in the formation of an AmCham in Bahrain. Later, BFIF funded U.S. Chamber of Commerce's John Howard's travel to Bahrain to work with a core AmCham formation committee on by-laws and a business plan for the group. In consultation with John Howard, these documents have been revised. The formation committee is now preparing translations of their by-laws and business plan to present to the Government of Bahrain. Positive meetings with the GOB, including those with the AmCham delegation from Cairo as well as with John Howard, lead us to believe that GOB accreditation will be unproblematic. The formation committee anticipates presenting its credentials to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this spring, and to be up and running soon thereafter. ¶3. With bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations underway, U.S. business interest in Bahrain and Bahraini business interest in the U.S. has increased. The seriousness of this interest is substantiated by requests for International Company Profiles (ICPs) and Gold Key Service not seen in previous years at this embassy. A bilateral Free Trade Agreement should push this trend. The new AmCham could augment Embassy matchmaking efforts through its own programs. ¶4. Post requests funding to establish and equip an American Chamber of Commerce Resource Center in Bahrain. The information-age Center could be a nexus for up-to-date matchmaking information searches, market research and industrial trends on a local and global level. To assure that the AmCham is able to provide added value through current information beyond what is readily available to the average internet user, we are requesting an internet-ready laptop computer and printer together with subscriptions to online searchable data services. These resources will give the members and visitors access to active tenders and project details in addition to commercial and economic news in the local, regional and global market. The laptop, together with an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machine and a projector can serve double duty, as AmCham office equipment to prepare brochures and invitations, and to make presentations designed to drive and inform membership. We anticipate that these resources will contribute to making the AmCham Resource Center a destination for the business community in Bahrain. -------------- Specific Resource Requests: -------------- -------------- Hardware: -------------- HP Pavilion ze4510OM-B Laptop/ OfficeJet5510 Printer Bundle Estimated Cost: USD 1,349.98 Source: Officemax.com Website: www.officemax.com Brief Description: Computer: HP Pavilion ZE4510OM-B Notebook PC Features: Processor: Intelr Celeron processor 2.4GHz Memory: 512MB, expandable to 1024MB Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP, 3D architecture Video Memory: 64MB Hard Drive: 40GB enhanced IDE drive Multimedia Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo Display: 15" XGA TFT (1024x768) Ethernet: Integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector) Modem: Integrated V.90/V.92 56KB modem Audio: 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio; Altec Lansing internal speakers Pointing Device: Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated Scroll Up/Down pad Dimensions: 12.96"x10.72"x1.62" Weight: 7.25 lbs. Bundled printer: HP PSC 2175 All-In-One Machine Printer/scanner/fax: HP OfficeJet5510 4-In-One Flatbed Features: Print speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color Copy speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color Resolution: print up to 4800-optimized dpi color and laser-quality black text Scanning: Up to 600 x 2400 dpi optical resolution and 36-bit color Connectivity: USB ADF allows you to fax, scan or copy up to 20 pages while you attend to other matters Duty cycle: 1,000 pages per month Operating systems: Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000 Professional, XP, Mac OS 9.1, OS X1 Year limited warranty Printer Cable: Belkin USB Gold Cable Estimated Cost: $ 30 Source: Officemax.com Website: www.officemax.com Projector: HP Digital Projector SB21 Estimated cost: $1,699 Source: Officemax.com Website: www.officemax.com Features: 1,000 comparable lumens. True SVGA (800 x 600 dpi) resolution. 1800:1 contrast ratio. 7.9" x 5.5" x 2.3" 2.2 lbs. Wireless remote control with mouse functions and laser pointer. -------------- Online reference resources: -------------- Dun and Bradstreet company information Estimated Cost: USD 675.00 (one hundred reports at USD 6.75 each--valid for one year Source: Rime--a correspondent of Dun and Bradstreet P.O. Box 54579 Office No. 11, Bldg 173, Road 327, Block 308 Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (973) 251150 / 251141 Fax: (973) 232994 / 231051 Brief description: Provides comprehensive company analysis including credit history, marketing strategies and purchasing decisions. Trade Arabia Estimated Cost: USD 400 Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain Tel: 293131 Website: www.tradearabia.com Brief description: Lists all active tenders, project details, project news including breaking news and news archives from all Arab and G.C.C. countries Gulf Construction Estimated cost: USD 95 per year (12 issues) Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain Tel: 293131 Website: www.gulfconstruction.com Brief description: Current and archived news about the construction sector Gulf Industry Manufacturing and Trading (GI) Estimated cost: USD 55.00 for two years Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain Website: www.gulfindustryonline.com Tel: 293131 Brief description: Industrialists, factory managers and purchasing managers, government departments of trade and industry, major distributors of industrial products, Chambers of Commerce and embassies internationally. BMI Monthly Monitors: Middle East Monitor - The Gulf Estimated cost: USD 490.000 Source: Business Monitor International Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 Website: http://www.economy.com/store/ Brief description: Monthly updates on major political, economic and financial developments in emerging markets worldwide. Systematic, country-by-country analyses of recent and likely changes in political risk, economic performance and prospects, industrial activity, finance and the business environment. Oil and Gas News Worldwide-weekly updates Estimated cost: USD 695 Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group PO Box 224 Manama Bahrain Tel: 293131 Website: www.oilandgasnewsworldwide.com Brief description: News and views, comment, analysis, contracts, advance warning of tenders, pipeline projects, technology, market analysis, oil stock prices and futures, explorations and gas technology including senior personnel in oil companies, drilling and exploration contractors, technical supply and services, surveyors and consultants, marine and offshore service suppliers and government agencies. Prcis State Estimated Cost: USD 600.00 Annual subscription includes current report and two updates. Source: Economy.com Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 Website: www.economy.com Description: Concise yet comprehensive research on the current and expected economic conditions of the fifty U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Five-year forecasts of gross state product, employment, income, population, housing activity, migration flows, vehicle registrations, and personal bankruptcies, recent economic performance and short- and long-term outlooks. The Dismal Scientist Estimated cost: USD 495 Source: Economy.com Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 Website: http://www.economy.com/dismal/ Brief Description: Daily coverage of the macroeconomic, industry, financial, and regional trends that affect business and investment, including analysis, special reports, and proprietary tools. Real-time economic indicator coverage of over 180 economic indicators for 40 countries, the Euro Zone, and the OECD. ¶5. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR ESTABLISHING AND EQUIPPING AN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOURCE CENTER: USD 6585, plus shipping charges. ¶6. Post appreciates the opportunity to apply for BFIF funding and thanks EB in advance for giving our proposal your fullest consideration. FORD