FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001046 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/CBA STATE FOR SCA/CEN STATE FOR EEB/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON TI EINV ETRD ADPM SUBJECT: FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE REF: REF A: STATE 087036; REF B: DUSHANBE 690 DUSHANBE 00001046 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Embassy Dushanbe submits the following report per Ref A regarding participation in the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) program. Post thanks the Economic Bureau for its support for these two successful programs. ¶2. Dushanbe - Regional Transportation Infrastructure Conference BFIF contribution: $2,000 Amount disbursed: $2,000 Budget breakdown: $500 for conference facility rental $1,000 for interpretation $500 for in-country transportation expenses BFIF funds contributed to the Central Asian Transportation Infrastructure Conference in Dushanbe May 7, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce along with Embassy Dushanbe. The conference provided an opportunity for Central Asian transport representatives to discuss their accomplishments and challenges within their respective transport sectors, along with the potential for future cooperation and growth. Representatives from Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan focused on improving aviation and road construction to integrate Central and South Asia. The high level of participation -- more than 80 attendees -- demonstrated the desire for economic integration in the region and building/renovating roads between Kazakhstan and Karachi. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe Paul Dyck opened the conference by explaining the U.S. government desire to expand U.S. trade links with Central Asia, while reducing trade and investment barriers through initiatives such as the Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. He also highlighted our mutual goal to create a regional electricity market, improve customs regimes and border security, and integrate telecom systems. A representative from Caterpillar made a presentation on their products to the audience, with potential sales leads. Continued U.S. support for development and reform in the Central Asian transportation sector remains necessary to keep the dialogue going. This conference demonstrated that regional leaders share the goals of Central and South Asian regional integration, and are actively working towards them. ¶3. Dushanbe - Tajik-Afghan Cross Border Trade BFIF contribution: $9,500 Amount disbursed: $1,956 Detailed budget breakdown of costs incurred May 2 - June 2: Salary 56 Honoraria 220 Taxes 116 Communications 84 Stationary 100 Seminar costs 1,380 -------------- Total 1,956 The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, through its sub-grantee non-governmental organization "Sapeda", has conducted a series of seminars for businesspeople in the border areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan in the vicinity of the U.S.-funded Nizhniy Pyanj bridge that will open in August. Over 480 people attended the seminars that will increase the possibility for cross-border trade. Sapeda will complete a legal manual in Tajik and Dari for government officials and entrepreneurs, and the project will culminate in a trade fair in September. The project builds on the success of two previous cross-border partnership projects implemented by Sapeda and the Eurasia Foundation and will help small businesses and farmers on both sides realize their trade potential by seeking to eliminate administrative barriers across the border. Bolstering cross-border trade and small and medium enterprises fits with Embassy Kabul's and Embassy Dushanbe's mission priorities of DUSHANBE 00001046 002.2 OF 002 economic development and regional trade. The project gets to the heart of regional economic integration by building capacity on both sides that could lead to increased markets for U.S. products and equipment. JACOBSON