KOSOVO 2008 BFIF PROPOSAL

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