Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRIDGETOWN11
2008-01-04 17:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

BFIF 08 BARBADOS PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL COMMERCIAL

Tags:  ENRG EAGR ETRO EAID EPET EINV BB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0011/01 0041751
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041751Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5972
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
-------

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