BFIF PROPOSAL FROM BELARUS

UNCLAS MINSK 000053 SIPDIS SIPDIS EB/CBA-DENNIS WINSTEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ABUD BTIO AMGT EAGR EINV ETRD BO SUBJECT: BFIF PROPOSAL FROM BELARUS REF: A. 06 STATE 189849 ¶B. CHISINAU 055 ¶1. Embassy Minsk applies for funding under the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund for two proposals. First, post proposes hosting a professional wine tasting to build the image of American wines in Belarus. Second, post proposes funding travel for the Embassy's Pol/Econ (formerly FCS) FSN to visit FCS Kyiv to explore the viability of establishing a partnership post relationship. Proposal information is keyed to points in ref A paragraphs 15 and 16. ¶2. Wine tasting proposal -------------- A) Brief justification: Imports of high end alcoholic beverages to Belarus have increased significantly in recent years. American wines, however, are underrepresented in the market place. The success of Australian and South African wines in Belarus indicates there could also be sufficient demand for American imports. Post would invite a Moscow-based sommelier familiar with American wines to Minsk to lead a wine tasting to build the image of American wines. Invitees would include wine importers, beverage wholesalers, restaurateurs, key cultural figures and an Embassy Moscow Agricultural Attache. Post would hold the event at either the CMR or the DCMR. B) Planning milestones: March: confirm date of Moscow Agricultural Attache visit and participation of Moscow-based sommelier Mid-April: invite guests Late April: host wine tasting May: Follow up with restaurants and wholesalers regarding the potential demand for American wines C) Estimated cost: $2,000. Travel, lodging, per diem and honorarium for sommelier: $1,000 Catering: $600 Wine: $400 D) Points of contact: Nathan Lane, Deputy Pol/Econ Chief Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 IVG 577-4434 lanenp@state.gov Dmitriy Semenov, Pol/Econ Assistant Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 IVG 577-4556 semenovdv@state.gov E) Funding from other sources: No direct funding from other sources is planned. However, the use of the Ambassador or DCM's residence will reduce costs. Additionally, Moscow's Agricultural Section will contribute indirectly through having an officer attend during a regularly scheduled visit to Minsk. F) Success criteria: Post will consider the event successful if it serves to improve the image of American wines among attendees. In the long-run this would be demonstrated by increased imports of American wines. G) Follow up strategy: Given sufficient local interest, post would attempt to piggyback on a likely 2008 American Wine Institute visit to Moscow in order to stage a second event moving beyond promoting the image of American wine to directly promoting sales. ¶3. FSN Visit to FCS Kyiv -------------- A) Brief justification: Embassy Minsk does not have a formal partnership post relationship with another Embassy. Embassy Kyiv could be an option for establishing such a relationship. Belarusian- Ukrainian economic ties are increasing, with some American businesses with a presence in Kyiv interested in selling to the Belarusian market as well. Embassy Minsk's Pol/Econ LES, Dmitriy Semenov, previously worked for FCS until 2002, when Commerce ended its presence in Minsk. He is willing and able to expand commercial services when market and political conditions warrant. Having a partnership post relationship in place will greatly facilitate the ability of Embassy Minsk to work with local businesses interested in buying American. Posts would also have an opportunity to further cooperate on specific areas of mutual interest, such as the SABIT program (for which a Kyiv-based LES handles recruiting in Belarus). B) Planning milestones: In April post would confirm with Embassy Kyiv the dates for travel in May and confirm meetings with FCS FSN's and the Senior Commercial Officer at Embassy Kyiv. The visit could be timed to coincide with a possible visit by the Commercial FSN from Embassy Chisinau (ref B) C) Estimated cost: $996 for transportation, two nights lodging and 2 1/3 days M&IE in Kyiv. D) Points of contact: Nathan Lane, Deputy Pol/Econ Chief Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 IVG 577-4434 lanenp@state.gov Dmitriy Semenov, Pol/Econ Assistant Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 IVG 577-4556 semenovdv@state.gov E) Funding from other sources: No direct funding from other sources is planned. However, in the past the Pol/Econ Section has traveled to Kyiv in an official vehicle with other sections to defray transportation costs. If possible, Mr. Semenov would do the same. F) Success criteria: The trip would be a complete success if the posts are eventually able to establish a fruitful partnership post relationship. Short of this, post would hope to obtain new ideas for trade promotion that could be put into practice. Also, post would learn more fully the capabilities of FCS Kyiv, and possibly refer local business leaders to that office in instances when Kyiv might be able to provide additional services. G) Follow up strategy: The Pol/Econ Assistant would report back on the potential benefits of a partnership post relationship, as well as on any possible disadvantages. If it was determined a partnership post relationship would be in both posts' interest, Embassy Minsk would follow up with EB/CBA and DOC in concert with Embassy Kyiv. If a partnership post relationship turned out not to be feasible, posts would still maintain contact on programs of mutual interest. Stewart