Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DUSHANBE120
2008-01-18 10:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDBU #0120/01 0181010 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 181010Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0123 INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0009
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000120
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/CBA, EEB/EX AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM TI
SUBJECT: FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE
REF: (A) 2007 STATE 087036 (B) 2007 DUSHANBE 1046
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000120
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/CBA, EEB/EX AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM TI
SUBJECT: FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE
REF: (A) 2007 STATE 087036 (B) 2007 DUSHANBE 1046
1. Per reftel A, Embassy Dushanbe submits the following report
regarding participation in the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund
(BFIF) program in FY 2007. Post again 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 efforts 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: $9,500
Detailed budget breakdown of costs incurred May 2 - December 31:
Salary 2841
Honoraria 250
Taxes 772.75
Equipment 50
Communications 83.87
Rental of Trade Fair Facility 500
Lodging Trade Fair Participants 1200
Meals during Trade Fair 600
Visa Expenses 700
Bank Fees 150
Stationary 520
Seminar costs 1,380
--------------
SubTotal 9047.62
EFCA Overhead (6%) 452.38
Total 9500
The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, through their subgrantee
non-governmental organization "Sapeda", 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 opened in August 2007. Over 480 people attended the seminars
that increased the possibility for cross-border trade. As part of
this project Sapeda has also completed a legal manual in Tajik and
Dari for government officials and entrepreneurs. The project
culminated in a cross-border trade fair October 21-23 in Kunduz,
Afghanistan. 40 Afghan and Tajik traders displayed their goods at
the trade fair, which generated strong public interest and press
coverage, and gave a boost to cross border trade and regional
economic integration.
The project built on the success of two previous cross-border
QThe project built on the success of two previous cross-border
partnership projects implemented by Sapeda and the Eurasia
Foundation, and helped 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 the Embassy Kabul and Embassy
Dushanbe's mission priorities of 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 trust between the countries and strengthened regional
stability, in addition to developing markets for U.S. products and
equipment.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/CBA, EEB/EX AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM TI
SUBJECT: FY07 BFIF REPORTING FROM DUSHANBE
REF: (A) 2007 STATE 087036 (B) 2007 DUSHANBE 1046
1. Per reftel A, Embassy Dushanbe submits the following report
regarding participation in the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund
(BFIF) program in FY 2007. Post again 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 efforts 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: $9,500
Detailed budget breakdown of costs incurred May 2 - December 31:
Salary 2841
Honoraria 250
Taxes 772.75
Equipment 50
Communications 83.87
Rental of Trade Fair Facility 500
Lodging Trade Fair Participants 1200
Meals during Trade Fair 600
Visa Expenses 700
Bank Fees 150
Stationary 520
Seminar costs 1,380
--------------
SubTotal 9047.62
EFCA Overhead (6%) 452.38
Total 9500
The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, through their subgrantee
non-governmental organization "Sapeda", 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 opened in August 2007. Over 480 people attended the seminars
that increased the possibility for cross-border trade. As part of
this project Sapeda has also completed a legal manual in Tajik and
Dari for government officials and entrepreneurs. The project
culminated in a cross-border trade fair October 21-23 in Kunduz,
Afghanistan. 40 Afghan and Tajik traders displayed their goods at
the trade fair, which generated strong public interest and press
coverage, and gave a boost to cross border trade and regional
economic integration.
The project built on the success of two previous cross-border
QThe project built on the success of two previous cross-border
partnership projects implemented by Sapeda and the Eurasia
Foundation, and helped 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 the Embassy Kabul and Embassy
Dushanbe's mission priorities of 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 trust between the countries and strengthened regional
stability, in addition to developing markets for U.S. products and
equipment.