BANGLADESH ROAD SHOW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000539 SIPDIS COMMERCE FOR DOUGLAS SHUSTER COMMERCE FOR STACEY CHOW COMMERCE FOR PAUL MARIN COMMERCE FOR BRYAN LOPP COMMERCE FOR ADINA ADLER DEPT FOR EB - DENNIS WINSTEAD DEPT FOR SA/PB, SA/PPD, NEA/SA/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD BEXP ECON BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ROAD SHOW REF: A. DENNIS WINSTEAD'S EMAILS DEC 10-JAN 15 ¶B. USTDA EMAILS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS NOV 04 - FEB ¶C. NAZIMA RAZICK'S EMAILS NOV 11-FEB 1 ¶1. This is an action cable. Please see para 2 and 12 for requested action. ¶2. Summary and Action Request: Post has been working with the BDG to plan and organize a series of trade shows and seminars in US cities to promote Bangladesh as a potential US investment destination and to promote trade relations between the two countries. This series of events, entitled the Bangladesh Road Show, is to take place in early May in Houston, St. Louis, and Baltimore. This Show will benefit US exporters and investors by creating linkages between BD buyers and US exporters and investors; while improving US-BD political and economic relations. Post and the BDG are in the budgeting and funding stages. Post estimates USG funding requirements will be $150,000. Post requests official confirmation of funding and coordination support from DOC and State for the Road Show that has been informally discussed through ref email communications for the past several months. End Summary. CONCEPT -------------- ¶3. The Bangladesh Road Show is an initiative of the Ambassador designed to showcase and facilitate bilateral trade in sectors in which BD has export potential and in which there is US investor and export/import interest. The sectors that post identified are ceramics, energy, infrastructure, seafood, agricultural products, manufacturing, specialized textiles, etc. This is to encourage diversification of the Bangladesh economy in the post-MFA environment away from its heavy reliance on the garment sector. The BD Road Show will include delegates from the BDG and key BD private sectors. The delegation will travel to Houston, St. Louis, and Baltimore. The two-day events in each city will include trade fairs and seminars. The trade fairs will showcase BD and US products from key sectors that are of interest to both sides. The seminars would include speakers from the USG, BDG, US private sector and BD private sector on key governance issues and on business practices within sectors. SECTORS AND SITES -------------- ¶4. The BD Road Show is scheduled for May 2 - 13. The Road Show will start in Houston. Houston serves as the focal point for the energy sector and cotton production. Houston is home to large energy firms, a sector with tremendous potential in Bangladesh. UNOCAL, one of the largest investors in BD, is headquartered there. Infrastructure development could also be a focus as Texas is home to the largest construction firms. Cotton, grown in Texas, is the biggest US export to BD. Houston is also a popular settlement city for Bangladeshi immigrants. Banks and USG officials may talk about proper transfer of funds to address security concerns associated with improper methods of remittance outflow. ¶5. St. Louis is the next stop for the Show. St. Louis offers the middle America perspective. It also serves as the center for agricultural production, a major area of export for the US. Cotton, soybean, and wheat are major exports from this area. With many larger retailers, like Walmart, headquartered in and around this region, this portion of the show would highlight BD textiles, ceramics, jute products, leather goods etc. ¶6. Baltimore would be the last site for the delegation. Baltimore was chosen because of its proximity to Washington and the East Coast. Frozen seafood is a growing export sector for BD. Baltimore has several manufacturing companies that specialize in processing seafood, poultry processing, freezing and manufacturing equipment, etc. Water treatment and port facilities could also be other highlights here. BUDGET AND FUNDING -------------- ¶7. Based on budgeting information from USTDA and private sector event consultants, the Road Show costs are projected at $300,000. This would include travel and accommodations for 25 delegates, event planning and coordination costs for two-day events in three cities, in-country travel, meals and incidentals, receptions and miscellaneous event costs. Costs would also include press events and publicity. The BDG and the BD private sector have committed to bear half the cost, including all travel and accommodation expenses for the delegates. The BDG will also bear shipping costs for all trade promotion products and equipment for the trade fairs. ¶8. BD and US corporations have shown interest in sponsoring receptions, seminars, dinners, etc., as needed for the Road Show. Corporate support will depend on logistical needs and funding requirements. Corporations have also offered to support publicity efforts for the Road Show. Per email communication with USTDA and EB, Post understands that USG trade promotion funds will be allocated through DOC and State to support, coordinate, and promote the Road Show. At present, we estimate the USG will need to provide $150,000 in support of the Road Show in addition to Post funds already allocated for participation of Embassy Dhaka in the event. The estimated funding does not include costs associated with the travel of Washington-based USG officials to any of the event venues. BDG INVOLVEMENT -------------- ¶9. The Board of Investment (BOI),the BDG agency charged with BD promotion as an investment destination, is serving as the coordinating agency on the BDG side. The BOI Executive Chairman, Mahmudur Rahman, with the approval of Prime Minister Zia, is the point of contact for BD. Mr. Rahman has been instrumental in identifying sectors of interest, key business leaders in each sector, identifying funding sources, etc. BOI is coordinating the show with all the involved ministries and has taken the lead on controlling information. The Ambassador and the DCM have discussed the Road Show with relevant ministries, including the Foreign Minister, the Finance Minister and the Commerce Minister. The BDG has responded positively to the concept. PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT -------------- ¶10. We have discussed the Road Show with US and BD private sector firms in order to generate interest and support. Initial discussions have been positive, but to get concrete sponsorship commitments the show needs USG buy-in and commitment. The BD private sector has committed to funding travel and lodging expenses for the delegation. Venue and events funding will be contingent on corporate sponsorship and USG trade promotion funds. NEED FOR USG FUNDING ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶11. Action Requested: Post requests State and DOC assistance to identify and coordinate USG funds (including funding from EB, USTDA, etc.) for the US trade promotion portion of the Road Show. In order to ensure success of this show, post requests USG trade promotion funds to facilitate US portion of the events. Post welcomes any suggestions from State and DOC regarding additional sources of funding or coordination. THOMAS