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

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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

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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