Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA799
2009-04-09 13:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
REPORT ON BFIF-FUNDED REGIONAL COMMERCIAL TRAINING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDS #0799 0991303 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 091303Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4331
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000799
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/CBA DENNIS WINSTEAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ETRD EINV ET
SUBJECT: REPORT ON BFIF-FUNDED REGIONAL COMMERCIAL TRAINING
REF: A) STATE 8040, B) 2008 STATE 108959
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000799
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/CBA DENNIS WINSTEAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ETRD EINV ET
SUBJECT: REPORT ON BFIF-FUNDED REGIONAL COMMERCIAL TRAINING
REF: A) STATE 8040, B) 2008 STATE 108959
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) AmEmbassy Addis Ababa's Commercial Specialist (CommSpec)
attended the joint State-Commerce Regional Training and Strategic
Planning Program in Johannesburg, South Africa in February 2009.
CommSpec appreciated the opportunity to network with colleagues from
across the continent. A trip highlight included CommSpec's
presentation to U.S.-based firms on "Doing Business in Ethiopia" and
meeting one-on-one with U.S. company representatives. Post expended
a total of USD 1,725.85 from the FY09 Business Facilitation
Incentive Fund (BFIF) for this training program. End Summary.
PROGRAM OUTCOME
--------------
2. (U) Thanks to the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF),
AmEmbassy Addis Ababa's Commercial Specialist (CommSpec) was able to
participate in the joint State-Commercial Service Regional Training
and Strategic Planning Program held at the Ronald H. Brown
Commercial Center in Johannesburg, South Africa from February 17 -
20, 2009. CommSpec benefitted from the opportunity to network with
colleagues from 30 other countries across the continent.
Participants were able to share information regarding commercial
success stories as well as challenges in commercial work.
3. (U) CommSpec appreciated the opportunity to learn more about
commercial diplomacy, Africa-specific commercial programs, and a
variety of U.S. government agencies--including Agriculture, Trade
and Development Agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation,
Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Insurance Corporation, and the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative--via video conference
exchanges. CommSpec was even able to put commercial work into
action by giving a presentation on "Doing Business in Ethiopia" to a
group of U.S.-based firms. This presentation was a trip highlight
as well as the one-to-one meetings conducted with U.S. firms such as
GE, Donaldson, Lindsay Corporation, Ecolab, and Intel.
FINANCIAL EXPENDITURES
--------------
4. (U) The total expenses CommSpec incurred for air travel, per
diem, taxis, and the entry visa to attend the Regional Commercial
Training were as follows:
Air Travel = USD 1,153.00
M&IE = USD 427.50
Local Transportation = USD 92.32
Entry Visa to S. Africa = USD 53.03
Total actual expenditure = USD 1,725.85
5. (U) Post appreciates the Department's continued BFIF support of
commercial advocacy and training.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/CBA DENNIS WINSTEAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ETRD EINV ET
SUBJECT: REPORT ON BFIF-FUNDED REGIONAL COMMERCIAL TRAINING
REF: A) STATE 8040, B) 2008 STATE 108959
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) AmEmbassy Addis Ababa's Commercial Specialist (CommSpec)
attended the joint State-Commerce Regional Training and Strategic
Planning Program in Johannesburg, South Africa in February 2009.
CommSpec appreciated the opportunity to network with colleagues from
across the continent. A trip highlight included CommSpec's
presentation to U.S.-based firms on "Doing Business in Ethiopia" and
meeting one-on-one with U.S. company representatives. Post expended
a total of USD 1,725.85 from the FY09 Business Facilitation
Incentive Fund (BFIF) for this training program. End Summary.
PROGRAM OUTCOME
--------------
2. (U) Thanks to the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF),
AmEmbassy Addis Ababa's Commercial Specialist (CommSpec) was able to
participate in the joint State-Commercial Service Regional Training
and Strategic Planning Program held at the Ronald H. Brown
Commercial Center in Johannesburg, South Africa from February 17 -
20, 2009. CommSpec benefitted from the opportunity to network with
colleagues from 30 other countries across the continent.
Participants were able to share information regarding commercial
success stories as well as challenges in commercial work.
3. (U) CommSpec appreciated the opportunity to learn more about
commercial diplomacy, Africa-specific commercial programs, and a
variety of U.S. government agencies--including Agriculture, Trade
and Development Agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation,
Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Insurance Corporation, and the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative--via video conference
exchanges. CommSpec was even able to put commercial work into
action by giving a presentation on "Doing Business in Ethiopia" to a
group of U.S.-based firms. This presentation was a trip highlight
as well as the one-to-one meetings conducted with U.S. firms such as
GE, Donaldson, Lindsay Corporation, Ecolab, and Intel.
FINANCIAL EXPENDITURES
--------------
4. (U) The total expenses CommSpec incurred for air travel, per
diem, taxis, and the entry visa to attend the Regional Commercial
Training were as follows:
Air Travel = USD 1,153.00
M&IE = USD 427.50
Local Transportation = USD 92.32
Entry Visa to S. Africa = USD 53.03
Total actual expenditure = USD 1,725.85
5. (U) Post appreciates the Department's continued BFIF support of
commercial advocacy and training.
YAMAMOTO