BFIF 08 BARBADOS PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL COMMERCIAL

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000011 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR, EB/CBA - DENNIS WINSTEAD, AND EB/EX SANTO DOMINGO FOR USFCS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG EAGR ETRO EAID EPET EINV BB SUBJECT: BFIF 08 BARBADOS PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL COMMERCIAL OUTREACH TRIPS REF: 07 STATE 159597 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Following the decision by USFCS to close its Barbados office in August, 2007, Embassy Bridgetown's Pol/Econ section has assumed responsibility for the commercial portfolio. In support of this transition, the Embassy reprogrammed the former FCS LES position, and hired a commercial/econ/political assistant, who came on board in November, 2007. Embassy Bridgetown's major commercial goals this year are reestablishing a regional AMCHAM, establishing strong working relations with the various business chambers of commerce and associations across our region, and setting up a regular distribution of commercial opportunities to the business communities in the region. In order to meet these goals, it will be necessary for our designated commercial officer and new LES to visit each of our islands, and Santo Domingo FCS office.It would also be beneficial for them to attend two regional business conferences in the U.S. during this fiscal year. During each of these trips, they will meet with the local American business community, local business associations, and government ministries involved with promoting business and economic development. The trips are tentatively scheduled as noted below, and once we have confirmation of funding, we will make final arrangements. Our cost estimates are based on current prices, (all prices are in US dollars) and on costs of past trips by others in the mission. The trips are listed in chronological order. For the February - March trips, post will send a separate e-mail requesting early funding per reftel. End Summary ¶2. Begin 2008 BFIF Funding request St Kitts and Nevis - mid-February (see sep Aller-Winstead e-mail request for early funding) Purpose: commercial outreach, meetings with American business community, local business chambers and government economic ministries, as well as the new USAID-funded Investment Promotion Agency. Duration: 4 days, COMOFF and LES Cost: 3,120 (air fare,per diem) Dominican Republic - early March Purpose: To attend training at FCS Santo Domingo, and to meet with Santo Domingo AMCHAM members for consultations on setting up a regional AMCHAM. Duration: 4 days, COMLOFF and LES Cost: 3,580 (air fare,per diem) Antigua and Barbuda - mid April Purpose: commercial outreach, meetings with American business community, local business chambers, government economic ministries as well as the new USAID-funded Investment Promotion Agency Duration: 4 days COMLOFF and LES Cost: 2,650 (air fare, per diem) St Lucia - early May Purpose: commercial outreach, meeting with American Business community, local business chambers, and government economic ministries. Duration: 4 days COMLOFF and LES Cost: 2,888 (air fare, per diem) Dominica - mid August Purpose: commercial outreach, meeting with American Business community, (follow up to first meeting with American business community November, 2007),local business chambers, and government economic ministries Duration: 4 days COMLOFF and LES Cost: 2,096 (air fare, per diem) St Vincent - September Purpose: commercial outreach, meetings with American Business community, local business chambers, and government economic ministries Duration: 4 days COMLOFF and LES Cost: 2,158 (air fare, per diem) Washington, DC - mid September Purpose: to attend the Worldwide AMCHAM annual meetings, consultations with WHA, EB DRL, DOL, Commerce. Key American business figures from across the region are expected to be in attendance Duration: 5 days COMLOFF only (3 days conference, 2 days consultations) Cost: 2,020 (air fare, per diem, conference registration fees) Grenada - early October Purpose: commercial outreach, meeting with American business community, local business chambers and government economic ministries, meetings with embassy staff Duration: 4 days COMLOFF and LES Cost: 2,676 Summary of costs Regional travel: 19,148 US travel: 2,158 Total : 21,306 Total requested: 22,000 End BFIF 2008 request GARZA