Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO103
2007-01-18 09:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLM #0103 0180953 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 180953Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5172 INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0504
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000103
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EB/CBA for DENNIS WINSTEAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON EFIC ETRD CE MV
SUBJECT: BFIF FY07 PROPOSALS
REF: 2006 STATE 189849
Post wishes to express its appreciation for EB/CBA's continued
support of commercial activities in Sri Lanka and Maldives and
proposes the following BFIF activity for FY07:
US Trade Fair - Maldives:
(a) Justification: The US Trade Fair in the Maldives has recorded
significant growth over the past few years and has become a regular
feature in the Maldives trade calendar. The event has developed
from a catalog show to a fully fledged trade show with the
participation of some of the major US companies operating in the
country. The 2006 event recorded the highest contingent of US
companies participating at an Embassy organized trade show in the
Maldives and included IBM, Chevron, Robert Mondavi and South West
Windpower Inc. In 2005 the trade show was expanded into a
US-Maldives Friendship Week with the participation of the Economic,
Consular, Public Affairs and Defense Attache sections of Embassy
Colombo. This helped to strengthen bilateral ties between the US
and Maldives. Post will work towards a similar event in conjunction
with the trade fair in 2007.
The 2006 trade fair generated useful leads to participant companies,
especially in the energy, food and beverage, air transport, and
commercial interiors sectors. A participating company has signed an
MOU with the Government of Maldives for a wind power pilot project
and another participant is negotiating to sell equipment to a
Maldives food processing company. US eggs and fruits, including
apples, oranges and grapes, are exported to Maldives as a result of
previous shows, and the exporter continues to reach further contacts
through regular participation at the event. Maldives presents
opportunities for US firms for a diverse range of technologies, with
alternate energy, environment, information technology,
communications, electronics, and construction products and services
being particularly viable. The ongoing expansion of Maldives'
international airport island and planned construction of several new
resorts present attractive opportunities for US exports of products
and technology. Food and beverage is also an important sector due
to the tourism industry and lack of domestic production. The
construction of a new island near the capital, Male', has attractive
prospects for US technology, products and services.
(b) Planning Milestones: The dates of the show, anticipated for
June, will be finalized with the concurrence of other USG agencies
and exhibition organizers involved in the event once funding is
approved. The show will be held in the main conference center in
Male'. Promotional strategy, logistics and related issues will be
coordinated with other participating USG agencies, exhibitors, the
Maldives Chamber of Commerce and Post GSO.
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Enhance visibility and raise familiarity of US products and
technologies among consumers and decision makers in government and
private sector.
- Form partnerships and sales contracts between exhibitors and
Maldivian Firms.
- Increase US food and beverage products, technology and equipment
exports to construction, processing and alternative energy/water
projects.
- Increase number of commercial inquiries from Maldivian
businesses.
(c) Estimated Costs: $15,000.00
(d) Post point of contact: Richard Merrin, Economic Officer, Adrian
Mendis, Commercial Specialist. Tel: 94-11-2498500, Fax:
94-11-2437345, Email: MERRINRC@STATE.GOV, MENDISA@STATE.GOV
(e) Post will solicit funds from other USG Agencies to fund
components of America Week associated with the trade show.
(f) Project outcome criteria are based on new leads generated for
exhibitors, number of visitors attending show and number of
contracts and sales concluded with Maldivian companies.
(g) Follow up will be done by contacting exhibitors, pursuing trade
leads, working with the Maldives Chamber of Commerce on post-show
follow up in Maldives and working with USDA and FCS to identify
suitable suppliers and technology for specific requirements.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EB/CBA for DENNIS WINSTEAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON EFIC ETRD CE MV
SUBJECT: BFIF FY07 PROPOSALS
REF: 2006 STATE 189849
Post wishes to express its appreciation for EB/CBA's continued
support of commercial activities in Sri Lanka and Maldives and
proposes the following BFIF activity for FY07:
US Trade Fair - Maldives:
(a) Justification: The US Trade Fair in the Maldives has recorded
significant growth over the past few years and has become a regular
feature in the Maldives trade calendar. The event has developed
from a catalog show to a fully fledged trade show with the
participation of some of the major US companies operating in the
country. The 2006 event recorded the highest contingent of US
companies participating at an Embassy organized trade show in the
Maldives and included IBM, Chevron, Robert Mondavi and South West
Windpower Inc. In 2005 the trade show was expanded into a
US-Maldives Friendship Week with the participation of the Economic,
Consular, Public Affairs and Defense Attache sections of Embassy
Colombo. This helped to strengthen bilateral ties between the US
and Maldives. Post will work towards a similar event in conjunction
with the trade fair in 2007.
The 2006 trade fair generated useful leads to participant companies,
especially in the energy, food and beverage, air transport, and
commercial interiors sectors. A participating company has signed an
MOU with the Government of Maldives for a wind power pilot project
and another participant is negotiating to sell equipment to a
Maldives food processing company. US eggs and fruits, including
apples, oranges and grapes, are exported to Maldives as a result of
previous shows, and the exporter continues to reach further contacts
through regular participation at the event. Maldives presents
opportunities for US firms for a diverse range of technologies, with
alternate energy, environment, information technology,
communications, electronics, and construction products and services
being particularly viable. The ongoing expansion of Maldives'
international airport island and planned construction of several new
resorts present attractive opportunities for US exports of products
and technology. Food and beverage is also an important sector due
to the tourism industry and lack of domestic production. The
construction of a new island near the capital, Male', has attractive
prospects for US technology, products and services.
(b) Planning Milestones: The dates of the show, anticipated for
June, will be finalized with the concurrence of other USG agencies
and exhibition organizers involved in the event once funding is
approved. The show will be held in the main conference center in
Male'. Promotional strategy, logistics and related issues will be
coordinated with other participating USG agencies, exhibitors, the
Maldives Chamber of Commerce and Post GSO.
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Enhance visibility and raise familiarity of US products and
technologies among consumers and decision makers in government and
private sector.
- Form partnerships and sales contracts between exhibitors and
Maldivian Firms.
- Increase US food and beverage products, technology and equipment
exports to construction, processing and alternative energy/water
projects.
- Increase number of commercial inquiries from Maldivian
businesses.
(c) Estimated Costs: $15,000.00
(d) Post point of contact: Richard Merrin, Economic Officer, Adrian
Mendis, Commercial Specialist. Tel: 94-11-2498500, Fax:
94-11-2437345, Email: MERRINRC@STATE.GOV, MENDISA@STATE.GOV
(e) Post will solicit funds from other USG Agencies to fund
components of America Week associated with the trade show.
(f) Project outcome criteria are based on new leads generated for
exhibitors, number of visitors attending show and number of
contracts and sales concluded with Maldivian companies.
(g) Follow up will be done by contacting exhibitors, pursuing trade
leads, working with the Maldives Chamber of Commerce on post-show
follow up in Maldives and working with USDA and FCS to identify
suitable suppliers and technology for specific requirements.
BLAKE