BFIF 2007 PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR AZERBAIJAN

UNCLAS BAKU 000289

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP BTIO ETRD EINV ABUD AJ
SUBJECT: BFIF 2007 PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR AZERBAIJAN


1. SUMMARY: For FY2007, Embassy proposes an ambitious set of
programs designed to further our commercial strategy. This proposal
captures the benefits of BFIF funding possibilities, allowing
Embassy to engage more forcefully in support of our commercial
interests overseas. For FY 2007, Embassy requests a total of 22,780
for five projects. We believe that the funding received through the
BFIF program will continue enhancing our ability to provide
commercial advocacy and advice to U.S. firms in a fast-growing
market, and wish to thank the Department for the excellent support
we received in previous years. Embassy point of contact for all
commercial issues and BFIF is Commercial/Energy Officer Alan Eyre
(EyreAE@state.gov). Embassy has coordinated with FCS Ankara on this
proposal. END SUMMARY.


2. Since the untimely closure of Embassy's FCS office in Baku, the
Embassy has worked hard to make the U.S. business community view the
Embassy as an asset to their plans and to advance an active
commercial agenda in a rapidly growing economy. We have dedicated
one officer full-time to commercial and trade issues as a
Commercial/Energy Officer. This officer is paired with a recently
hired local Commercial Assistant with an extensive background in
both the US and Azerbaijani commercial sectors. With GDP growth of
more than 30 percent over the last two years, Azerbaijan has one of
the fastest growing economies in the world, and the Embassy would
like to make sure it is fully equipped to help U.S. companies
establish and promote their interests in this dynamic economy.


3. To this end, Embassy requests a total of $22,780 in FY2007 BFIF
funding for five projects in Azerbaijan:

Project 1: Consultation and Training - USD 9,700

a) Justification: With the termination of USDOC and BISNIS funding
for Embassy Baku, the Embassy hired a new State Department-funded
FSN Commercial Assistant in December 2006. We do not have the
capacity or expertise in Baku to train our Commercial Assistant in
the fundamentals of commercial work, including the many
computer-based resources to promote US trade. We seek funds to send
our FSN Commercial Assistant to Frankfurt in early April to train
him on maintaining the buy usa website,
http://www.buyusa.gov/azerbaijan. In order to be most effective, we
need to have strong contact with our partner FCS organizations based
in Ankara. We would like to send our newly-hired Commercial
Assistant to Ankara for consultations in spring 2007. The American
commercial officer will follow this visit in summer of 2007 to get
familiar with Ankara Commercial Staff and FCS resources. In addition
to regional travel, we would like to send our FSN to Washington DC
for consultation with the Departments of State and Commerce, and
training at DoC,as well as other relevant agencies in charge of
economic and commercial outreach in Azerbaijan.

b) Planning milestones: Coordination of travel with Embassy Ankara,
Department and logistical arrangements

c) Performance metric: Consultations held.

d) Estimated costs:

Economic/Commercial Assistant's training trip to Frankfurt
Suggested travel dates: 04/02-05/2007
Approximate cost: $2,300.00
Airticket 1000 USD
Lodging 4*95 = 380 USD
M&IE 99*3 + 132 * 4 = 820 USD
Taxi 100 USD

Economic/Commercial Assistant's consultation trip to Ankara
Suggested travel dates: 02/2007
Approximate cost: $1,700.00
Airticket 500 USD
Lodging 3*171 = 513 USD
M&IE 99*2 + 132 * 3 = 594 USD
Taxi 100 USD

Economic/Commercial Officer's consultation trip to Ankara
Suggested travel dates: 02/2007
Approximate cost: $1,700.00
Airticket 500 USD
Lodging 3*171 = 513 USD
M&IE 99*2 + 132 * 3 = 594 USD
Taxi 100 USD

Economic/Commercial Assistant's training trip to Washington DC
Suggested travel dates: fall 2007
Approximate cost: $4,500.00
Airticket 1500 USD (rough estimate)
Lodging 14 * 150 = 2100 USD (rough estimate)
M&IE 14 * 60 = 840 USD (rough estimate)
Taxi 100 USD (rough estimate)

Project 2: International Buyer Program Travel - 9820 USD
a) Justification: Azerbaijan is experiencing solid economic growth
fueled by significant oil revenues. Government spending almost
doubled in 2006, and the trend is set to continue. The Government is
particularly interested in developing the non-oil sector, where big
opportunities for US companies exist. Therefore, Embassy considers
the following IBP trips of most export potential:

Event: International Franchise Expo 2007 and consultations with
Government agencies in DC
Subject: Franchising Opportunities
Potential: Franchises are a great way to bring ready business to the
growing Azerbaijani consumer market. FSN consultations with
Department of State and Department of Commerce
Location: Washington, DC USA
Travel dates: 3/30/2007 - 4/4/2007

Event: Waste Expo 2007 and consultations with Atlanta Export
Assistance Center
Subject: Environmental Technology
Potential: State waste management and oil spill clean-up projects.
FSN consultations with Atlanta Export Assistance Center
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Travel dates: May 7-9, 2007

Event: FIME 2007
Subject: Health Care Services, Medical Equipment
Potential: Private healthcare is dynamically growing in Azerbaijan.
Public healthcare should get more financing with growing oil
revenues.
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Travel dates: August 15-17, 2007

b) Planning milestones: Reaching out to Azerbaijani entities and
receiving their commitments to participate in the IBPs

c) Performance metric: Number of entities and representatives
participating in the IBPs.

d) Estimated costs:
International Franchise Expo 2007 and consultations with Government
agencies in DC
Event dates: 3/30/2007 - 4/4/2007
Approximate cost: $3,950.00
Airticket 1500 USD
Lodging 5*150 = 750 USD
M&IE 99*2 + 132 * 5 = 850 USD
Taxi 100 USD

Waste Expo 2007 and consultations with Atlanta Export Assistance
Center
Event dates: May 7-9, 2007
Approximate cost: $3,020.00
Airticket 1600 USD
Lodging 4*150 = 600 USD
M&IE 99*2 + 132 * 4 = 720 USD
Taxi 100 USD

FIME 2007
Event dates: August 15-17, 2007
Approximate cost: $2,850.00
Airticket 1700 USD
Lodging 3*150 = 450 USD
M&IE 99*2 + 132 * 3 = 594 USD
Taxi 100 USD

DERSE