Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT524
2008-07-14 05:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN FY08 BFIF PROGRAM INTERIM RESULTS

Tags:  AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM MU 
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VZCZCXRO5971
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHMS #0524 1960540
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140540Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9791
INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0365
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000524 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/CBA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM MU
SUBJECT: OMAN FY08 BFIF PROGRAM INTERIM RESULTS

REF: A. STATE 73258

B. MUSCAT 35

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000524

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/CBA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD ADPM MU
SUBJECT: OMAN FY08 BFIF PROGRAM INTERIM RESULTS

REF: A. STATE 73258

B. MUSCAT 35


1. Per ref A request, Embassy Muscat reports that $1,252 has
been spent from its FY 2008 Business Facilitation Incentive
Fund (BFIF) account for the training of its Commercial
Assistant at its Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) partnership
post in Dubai. On January 28-30, the Commercial Assistant
assisted her colleagues in working the U.S. Pavilion for the
Arab Health trade show, one of the largest exhibitions in the
region. Through her participation, the Commercial Assistant
was exposed to the ways in which U.S. products are featured
at exhibitions, what roles Commercial staff play in
advertising the U.S. pavilion to conference attendees, how
the Commercial Service manages trade booths, and what
techniques are employed to distinguish U.S. products from
their competitors. She will use the skills gained from this
experience in delivering commercial services to U.S. clients
in Oman.


2. On the second funded project for FY 2008, the Embassy
remains interested in building the membership and activities
of the Muscat American Business Council (MABC). The MABC has
posted a strong year, with a well-attended Ambassadorial
reception, a reception for a visiting U.S. Chamber of
Commerce official, and luncheon engagements with
representatives of the Commerce Department, the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the
Salalah Free Zone, among others. However, the MABC continues
to face challenges in serving as an independent,
institutional voice for the American business community in
Oman. These challenges are compounded by the fact that the
MABC's executive director has taken on a full-time position
with an Omani company. She continues to fulfill her MABC
duties, but only on a part-time basis. It is unclear whether
the MABC will have the financial resources to hire a new
full-time executive director. For this reason, the Embassy
will defer its request to host the executive director of the
American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates
(ABCD) until the MABC's executive director position is
clarified.


3. Embassy Muscat appreciates the opportunity to use the BFIF
to advance USG commercial goals in Oman. The Embassy's point
of contact for the BFIF program is now Economic/Commercial
Officer Nicole Martin, phone (968) 2464-3623, GSM (mobile)
(968) 9945-9887, email: MartinN@state.gov.
GRAPPO