ETHIOPIA'S BFIF PROJECT PROPOSALS: ADDIS CHAMBER

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 003225 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/CBA (DWINSTEAD),EB/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON BEXP ETRD EIND ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA'S BFIF PROJECT PROPOSALS: ADDIS CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR PARTICIPATION; OUTREACH TO REGIONAL CHAMBERS REF: A. STATE 189849 ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 000904 PROPOSAL 1: TRADE FAIR PARTICIPATION -------------- ¶1. The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 11th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (ACITF) February 22-28, 2007. ACITF is the largest, most important trade fair in Ethiopia attracting over 260 local and foreign exhibitors. In 2006, post displayed a new, modern, and professionally-designed USA booth, provided one-on-one counseling for local businesses, and held a half-day seminar on doing business with the United States. Post's participation received wide media coverage as the Ambassador, the Minister of Trade and Industry, and wide range of entrepreneurs and established industry heavy weights opened our new USA booth. Throughout the trade fair, the USA Booth was visited by several hundred businessmen and women. ¶2. The overall objectives of post's participation on the 2007 ACITF are to introduce American investors, with a focus on those of Ethiopian origin, to trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia; promote U.S. products and services to Ethiopian companies; highlight USG programs and polices to support private sector development; provide Ethiopian companies with information on how to do business with United States; and encourage business linkages between U.S and Ethiopian firms. ¶3. For the 2007 ACITF, post is proposing a special focus be placed on engaging the Diaspora. The million-strong Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States can play an important role in Ethiopia's economic development and growth by providing critically needed financial capital, promoting the transfer of skills and technology, and building human resource capacity. Stronger trade and investment ties with Ethiopia by the Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States can also serve as an important mechanism to constructively engage Ethio-Americans in Ethiopia's development by providing them with a stake in the country's economic growth and democratization. Given the limited experience of many local producers with exporting to the U.S. market, partnerships with Ethio-American-owned and -operated companies is a natural first step in doing business with the United States. The Government of Ethiopia has actively worked to attract 
investment from the Diaspora, including the adoption of legislation that grants foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin special privileges and incentives for trade and investment. ¶4. Milestones: The 11th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (ACITF) is scheduled to take place February 22-28, 2007. Planning milestones include: - January 1: Develop trade show theme and program with State, USAID and its partners, and local American businesses. - January 5: Identify and invite prominent business people in the Diaspora to the trade fair. - January 10: Register and make payments to Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce. - January 15: Invite U.S. companies with local representation (such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Boeing, etc.) to take part in the trade fair. - January 22: Seek sponsorship partners. - January 29: Hire planning/event manager. - February 1: Complete agenda and program for half-day seminar on doing business in the United States. - February 15: Complete staffing plan for the USA booth. - February 22-28: Trade Fair ¶5. Funding Request: Post is requesting early FY 07 BFIF funds for USG participation in the 2007 Addis Chamber International Trade Fair for a total amount of USD 9,700. A summary of the budget is a follows: - Booth Rental/ Registration fee = USD 5,000.00 - Event Manager (hiring of staff incl.) = USD 3,200.00 - Publications/Reproduction Materials = USD 500.00 - Miscellaneous Expenses = USD 500.00 - Half Day Seminar (room rental/catering) = USD 500.00 Total estimated cost = USD 9,700.00 PROPOSAL 2: DOING BUSINESS WITH THE US: AN OUTREACH PROGRAM TO THE ETHIOPIAN REGIONAL CHAMBERS -------------- -------------- ¶6. The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (ECC) is an umbrella national chamber of commerce made up of 15 city chambers. It is the single largest all-encompassing trade promotion and private sector development institution in the country. Its mandate is to promote Ethiopia's products to the world, develop international trade and promote investment in Ethiopia, and foster the development of a vibrant and dynamic private sector in the country. All of the city chambers except The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association lack skilled man power, business resource materials, information on how to use the internet, and knowledge of how to get in touch with U.S. businesses. ¶7. Post will prepare an information kit on U.S. Embassy commercial section services and basic guidelines on how to find U.S. suppliers. Post will establish direct lines of communication with local chambers to keep the chambers and their constituents abreast of upcoming trade shows in the U.S. and programs like the International Buyers Program. Different businesses operating in the regions will gain basic skills on how to do business with U.S. firms. Businesses involved in the export sector would be briefed on AGOA provisions programs and its advantages. Outreach events would increase entrepreneurial capacity of the local business people in developing country markets. Information would be available to regional entrepreneurs on what U.S. businesses seek and they would be encouraged to take advantage out of it. ¶8. Milestones: The two-week outreach program is scheduled to take place in April 2007. The exact date will be determined after consultation with city chambers. Post has chosen four representative city chambers for this program: Bahir Dar, Mekele, Dire Dawa, and Awassa. A maximum of 3 days is allocated for each city chamber and the rest for traveling. Planning milestones include: - February 20: Submit proposals of outreach program to regional chambers. - March 22: Finalize program schedule with regional chambers. - March 26: Prepare flyers, information kit and lecture notes. - April 2-5: Arrive at Bahir Dar and start out reach program. - April 10-12: Arrive at Mekele and commence out reach program. - April 16-18: Conduct outreach program at Dire Dawa Chamber of Commerce. - April 19-20: Resume Outreach program at Awassa Chamber of Commerce. - April 23-28: Prepare trip/outreach report. ¶9. Funding Request: Post is requesting BFIF funds for financing the commercial out reach program. A summary of the budget is a follows: - Travel/per diem for Embassy Personnel = USD 1,636.00 - US Business Directories (CD Rom) = USD 1,200.00 - Publications/Reproduction Materials = USD 350.00 - Miscellaneous Expenses = USD 500.00 Total Estimated Cost: USD 3,686.00 ¶10. POINTS OF CONTACT: Mr. Nicholas Namba Economic/Commercial Officer US Embassy Addis Ababa Tel.: 251-11-517-4111 Fax: 251-11-124-2405 E-mail: namban@state.gov Mr. Fassil Yilma Commercial Specialist (LES) US Embassy Addis Ababa Tel.: 251-11-517-4450/51 Fax: 251-11-124-2431 E-mail: yilmaf@state.gov YAMAMOTO