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
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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
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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