Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ULAANBAATAR530
2008-12-10 00:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Cable title:  

2008 BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND (BFIF) FY08

Tags:  ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD MGL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUM #0530/01 3450026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100026Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2597
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000530 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/CBA - Dennis Winstead
USDOC FOR ZHEN-GONG CROSS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD MGL
SUBJECT: 2008 BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND (BFIF) FY08
PROGRAM CLOSEOUT REPORT ULAANBAATAR FOR CON-AGG PROJECT

Ref: State 73258

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000530

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/CBA - Dennis Winstead
USDOC FOR ZHEN-GONG CROSS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON EINV ETRD MGL
SUBJECT: 2008 BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND (BFIF) FY08
PROGRAM CLOSEOUT REPORT ULAANBAATAR FOR CON-AGG PROJECT

Ref: State 73258


1. Please find post's closeout report for the FY 2008 BFIF-supported
2008 Con-Agg project.

2. Text of report:
Business Facilitation Incentive Fund
Project Report - FY2008
Date Submitted: December 9, 2008
Project Manager: Michael D. Richmond, Senior Commercial Specialist
Office: Economic and Commercial Section, US Embassy Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia
Contact: +976-329-095; richmondmd@state.gov
Project Title: Attending CONEXPO-CONAGG 2008 Show in Las Vegas,
Nevada, March 11-15 to promote U.S. construction materials and
equipment sales in Mongolia
Introduction:

As part of its ongoing effort to promote U.S. construction goods and
services sales in Mongolia, post received BFIF funds (USD 620, refer
to 2008 State 23958 for fund cite information) to be used to send
Commercial Assistant Ms. M. Altantsetseg to the CONEXPO-CONAGG 2008
Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 11-15: Specific aims included:

-- Provide first hand knowledge of the Mongolian market and its
opportunities to U.S. vendors.

-- Facilitate commercial links among these American vendors with
Mongolian and foreign firms actively constructing commercial,
industrial, and residential structures in Mongolia. We worked with
Department of Commerce and Expo organizers on match-making the
delegation with U.S. manufactures attending Con-Agg.

-- Provide needed translation and interpretation services to
Department of Commerce Officers (DOC),Expo staff, Mongolian
visitors, and U.S. suppliers.

BFIF Project Support:

The Business Facilitation and Investment Fund provided USD 620 to
cover 3 days of lodging expenses in Las Vegas and to cover airfare
from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

Results of the Project:


1. Outreach to Mongolian firms

Our commercial team aggressively researched and recruited Mongolian
construction firms. These efforts consisted of broadly distributing
information on Con-Agg 2008 to over 200 construction businesses
through joint promotional activities with our local partner, the
Mongolian Builder's Association (MBA),and through briefings to
associations and face-to-face meetings with Ulaanbaatar-based
construction firms. These efforts yielded a Mongolian delegation
composed of 34 individuals representing 22 firms, associations, and
government of Mongolia officials. Firms were primarily interested
in equipment and products related to concrete and building
exteriors.

When including other exhibitions for which we supported Mongolian
delegations with and without the use of BFIF funds, including the
2008 International Builders Show in Orlando Florida (20 Mongolians),
World of Concrete 2008 in Las Vegas (30 Mongolians),the 2008 Waste
Management Show in Chicago (15 Mongolians),and the 2008 MINEXPO in
Las Vegas (105 Mongolians),we see growth from 27 to 204 Mongolian
participants over two years. All of this was achieved through a
program we created in 2006 and continued in 2007 and 2008 with
on-going support from BFIF.


2. Export Results

Following the delegation's return, our local partner, the MBA,
surveyed the delegates regarding purchases made on goods and
services associated with attendance at Con-Agg 2008:

--USD 108,000: Air tickets, hotels, food etc
--USD 490,500: Measuring tools, equipment, cars, and control
devices
--USD 598,500: Total

The total USG contribution from DOC, BFIF, and post funds was
approximately USD 2,500, with the event organizer providing USD
1,000 to cover part of the airfare. (See excel spreadsheet provided
septel for breakdown of exports.)

Follow Up Activities:

Post's Commercial section has maintained the contacts with the
leading professional construction association, the MBA, and

individual firms that we originally employed in support of CONEXPO
Asia 2006, continuing in 2007 and 2008 through the exhibitions
mentioned above. We are currently at work with the MBA organizing
separate delegations for the 2009 International Builders Show in Las
Vegas and the 2009 World of Concrete Show, also in Las Vegas.

The Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar intends to
submit a project proposal to support the attendance of Commercial
Assistant M. Altantsetseg at the World of Concrete Show in Las
Vegas, February 1-6, 2009.

Breakdown of Expenses (travel voucher data to follow in separate fax
and email):

--USD 320: 5 days of per diem in Las Vegas
--USD 298: roundtrip airfare from Las Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV
--USD 618: Total