Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GABORONE66
2005-01-14 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:  

REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH

Tags:  EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO BEXP KPAO BC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.


ACTION AF-00 

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 
 INL-00 USNW-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 ITCE-00 DOTE-00 
 EB-00 EXME-00 E-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 
 HHS-01 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 
 AC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 NSF-01 OES-00 OIC-00 OMB-00 
 NIMA-00 OPIC-01 EPAU-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 
 SP-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 T-00 FMP-00 BBG-00 R-00 
 EPAE-00 IIP-00 PMB-00 DRL-00 G-00 SAS-00 /004W
 ------------------A3F9AF 141143Z /38 
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1588
USDA FAS WASHDC 0140
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
UNCLAS GABORONE 000066 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT/BTT - DEBORAH MALAC & JACK BOBO, AF/S
AND AF/EPS
PRETORIA FOR FAS - REYNOLDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO BEXP KPAO BC
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH
PROJECT - BOTSWANA

REFS: (A) 04 GABORONE 1937, (B) 04 STATE 244670, (C) 04
GABORONE 1318

UNCLAS GABORONE 000066

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT/BTT - DEBORAH MALAC & JACK BOBO, AF/S
AND AF/EPS
PRETORIA FOR FAS - REYNOLDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO BEXP KPAO BC
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH
PROJECT - BOTSWANA

REFS: (A) 04 GABORONE 1937, (B) 04 STATE 244670, (C) 04
GABORONE 1318


1. Summary: Embassy Gaborone requests USD7,000 from EB to
fund a biotechnology outreach project in Botswana that will
provide two weeks of technical assistance to the Government
of Botswana's National Coordinating Committee on Biosafety
(NCCB) in creating a national framework for biosafety. We
believe this two-week TDY will be very constructive in
advancing USG biotechnology interests within Botswana and
the Southern Africa region. End summary.


2. The Government of Botswana has established a National
Coordinating Committee on Biosafety (NCCB),which is tasked
with developing a National Framework on Biosafety (NFB) for
presentation to Cabinet by April 2005. In October 2004, the
USG (at the initiative of Congressman Steve King of Iowa)
assisted the Government of Botswana in this endeavor by
making arrangements for, and partially funding, three NCCB
experts to visit Washington, Iowa and Nebraska to learn
about the U.S. biotechnology industry and enable them to
develop a more comprehensive and objective policy and
regulatory framework on biosafety (Ref A & C). In December,
USDA provided the services of an APHIS Science Fellow, Dr.
Subhash Gupta, PhD, Senior Biotechnologist, to travel to
Gaborone for one day to lecture at the College of
Agriculture and meet with the NCCB to discuss the National
Framework on Biosafety (Ref. A).


3. Following up on these successful initiatives, Emboff
spoke with Dr. Kekgonne Baipoledi -- Chair of the NCCB and
the leader of the team that participated in the biotech
study tour -- regarding Ref B, which invites applications
for projects that will provide accurate information on the
benefits of biotechnology to policy makers and consumers and
encourage the adoption of science-based regulatory systems.
Dr. Baipoledi has consequently requested that the USG
provide a technical expert with hands-on experience for two
weeks to advise the NCCB on creating a national framework on
biosafety and to conduct other activities (e.g., lecturing)
in support of the Government's biotechnology initiative in
Botswana. The advisor would also engage biotechnology
experts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
to explore ways to move biotechnology forward throughout the
Southern Africa region.

--------------
Project Details (per Ref. B, Para 7)
--------------


4. Project Name: Development of National Framework for
Biosafety in Botswana.


5. Cost: USD7,000 -- being USD3,600 for lodging, meals and
local transport, and USD3,400 for economy class airfare.
(Note: business class travel would increase the cost by
USD4,800.)


6. Target Audiences: Members of the NCCB; senior Government
of Botswana officials, university and College of Agriculture
students and faculty, senior SADC biotechnology officials,
and the general public.


7. Specific Biotechnology Issues to be Addressed: (A)
Development of a national framework for biosafety in
Botswana; (B) Dissemination of accurate scientific
information on biotechnology in Botswana and regionally; (C)
ways and means of expanding biotechnology throughout the
Southern Africa region through SADC. (Note: During the week
of January 17, the NCCB will meet to more fully define the
scope of work for this advisor vis-a-vis Botswana.)


8. USG biotechnology policy objectives will be met through
developing a sound national framework for biosafety in
Botswana, disseminating accurate scientific information on
biotechnology in Botswana and in the region, and exploring
opportunities for promoting biotechnology throughout the
Southern Africa region.


9. Length of Project: Two weeks.


10. Responsible Officer: Ted Pierce, Regional Environment
and Health Officer, Office Tel: (267) 395-2983 x5257, Office
Fax: (267) 395-6947; Mobile: (267) 7175-4535.

HUGGINS


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