Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRISTINA54
2008-02-01 17:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:  

KOSOVO 2008 BFIF PROPOSAL

Tags:  ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ENIV ETRD 
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VZCZCXYZ0030
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0054/01 0321713
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011713Z FEB 08
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7964
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000054 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EEB/CBA - DENNIS WINSTEAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ENIV ETRD
SUBJECT: KOSOVO 2008 BFIF PROPOSAL

REF: 07 STATE 159597

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000054

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EEB/CBA - DENNIS WINSTEAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ENIV ETRD
SUBJECT: KOSOVO 2008 BFIF PROPOSAL

REF: 07 STATE 159597


1. (U) In response to EB's 2008 call for Business
Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) proposals, USOP requests
funding for LES commercial training, to take place in July,
and a series of intellectual property rights workshops to be
hosted during the third or fourth quarter of the fiscal year.


2. (U) USOP requests funding for post's sole LES commercial
assistant to attend the U.S. Commercial Service's 2008
Professional Development Enterprise Forum, to be held in
Alexandria, VA from July 14-18. Post's commercial assistant
has encumbered this position for more than two years but has
yet to receive formal instruction in his field. An intuitive
self-starter, our commercial assistant has been performing
his business facilitation and advocacy responsibilities at a
very high level. Nevertheless, he would benefit from
structured training that will provide him with perspective
and clarification on the Washington component of his work.
The Professional Development Enterprise Forum is an ideal
opportunity to do this. The program offers an in-depth and
interactive training opportunity designed to strengthen
professional and technical job skills, provides courses,
practice activities and opportunities to share experience and
knowledge for trade specialists, commercial officers and
commercial specialists. The estimated cost of this training
is USD 3,500.00, to include travel, per diem, airport ground
transportation, visa costs and consultations.


3. (U) USOP proposes to host a series of workshops on
intellectual property rights (IPR) and economic development.
Kosovo is keen to attract foreign investment, particularly
from U.S. businesses, and the ability to demonstrate a solid
understanding and commitment to IPR is crucial to achieving
this goal. With Kosovo nearing a potential status
resolution, it will be even more important for Kosovo to
demonstrate credible capacity in this area. Although there
are counterfeit consumer good available for sale, Kosovo is

not a counterfeit goods producer and is in a position to curb
intellectual property violations with the development of a
strong protection regime that informs and includes all
players involved.


4. (U) The proposed workshops will focus on the roles and
responsibilities of businesses regarding IPR protection, and
how businesses intersect with government agencies involved in
intellectual property protection/enforcement in relation to
economic development. All players in the development of a
strong intellectual property rights regime will be targeted,
including government agencies, private businesses, legal
organizations and educational institutions. The workshops
will be conducted over three days in Pristina, with a morning
and/or afternoon workshop dedicated to one of the target
audiences (e.g. government agencies, educational
institutions, private businesses, etc.). Post anticipates
hosting these workshops during the third or fourth quarter of
2008 and will approach potential participants in the second
quarter of 2008. Co-sponsorship of the workshops is possible.


5. (U) USOP proposes Timothy Trainor, founder of the Global
Intellectual Property Strategy Center, to conduct the
workshops. Mr. Trainor is a noted expert in this field and
has given similar workshops in his current role and as
president of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition.
Mr. Trainor also has extensive practical experience in this
field, working in the Intellectual Property Rights Branch of
the former U.S. Customs Service and as an attorney in the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (PTO) Office of
Legislative and International Affairs.


6. (U) Estimated costs for this workshop series is USD
5,000.00, to include travel, per diem and honorarium expenses
for Mr. Trainor (USD 3,500.00),interpretation services
during the workshops (USD 1,000.00) and program materials
(USD 500.00). Post will request target audiences to provide
venues free of charge. Points of contact for this project
are Economic Officer Valerie Bilgri Holm, email:
Bilgri-HolmVK@state.gov, tel: (381)(38) 59 59 3000, ext.
3243, and Commercial Assistant Fatmir Morina, email:
MorinaFH@state.gov, tel: (381)(38) 59 59 3000, ext. 3183.


7. (U) Post-workshop, USOP will conduct follow-up assessments
with government agencies and private businesses to facilitate
implementation of lessons learned from the workshops into
tangible benefits for businesses. This will include
streamlining the IPR application process where necessary,
coordinating inter-organization cooperation on IPR
protection, and encouraging businesses to promote adherence
to IPR protection. USOP will also evaluate any increase in
IPR applications, especially from foreign investors,
enforcement measures taken against IPR violations and any
public information outreach. All of these measures will
strengthen Kosovo's position to attract U.S. foreign
investment and will be promoted by USOP.


8. (U) USOP appreciates EEB/CBA's consideration of these
funding requests, and looks forward to implementing these
projects in 2008.
KAIDANOW