2009 TURKMENISTAN BFIF PROPOSAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000075 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB/CBA - DENNIS WINSTEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD BEXP TX SUBJECT: 2009 TURKMENISTAN BFIF PROPOSAL REF: STATE 128559 ¶1. Brief justification -- U.S. Embassy Ashgabat would like to bring an individual with a proven track record of success in business, and with specific experience in marketing and advertising, to Turkmenistan to lead a one-day seminar on the basics of marketing and advertising for 40-50 entrepreneurs from sectors such as food processing, construction, and banking. This consultant would be available for the rest of the week for meetings with companies that would like individual consultation. Such an event would provide an appropriate venue for post to develop contacts with local entrepreneurs. The local European Bank for Reconstruction and Development office, which has extensive contacts with local entrepreneurs, would assist with the invitation list. Donor organizations have not held many programs for entrepreneurs in Turkmenistan because the sector is underdeveloped. The government has said that the growth of small and medium enterprises is a priority for the country. This project could open the door to developing what Post hopes will be a growing sector in the near future. Many of Post's interlocutors have mentioned that they would like more U.S. experts to visit Turkmenistan because it would allow us to reach a larger audience than is possible through study trips and exchange programs abroad alone. Embassy Ashgabat's fourth goal in its 2009 MSP is to "Promote Economic Reform," including to "promote access to market and business information, knowledge, and skills for Turkmenistan's entrepreneurs, farmers and the younger generation. An emphasis will be placed on exports of agricultural and petroleum products, and Mission will continue to place a strong emphasis on micro and small business development as engines of growth, employment, and poverty reduction." ¶2. Planning milestones February 16 -- Start searching for an appropriate speaker through organizations such as Business Council for International Understanding or the Small Business Association. March 16 -- Start making travel arrangements with speaker. May 4 -- Seminar takes place. ¶3. Estimated costs Rental of conference room in hotel -- $200 (for one day) Lunch for participants during day of seminar -- $700 Speaker fees (including honorarium, travel, per diem, and in-country expenses) -- $7,000.00 Translation -- $100 per day Total: $8,400.00 ¶4. Point of contact is: Kristine Marsh (marshka@state.gov). ¶5. Has Post reviewed possibilities for leveraging funding from other State bureaus and/or agencies? Yes. ¶6. Does the project have outcome/success criteria? Yes. This project will give Post an opportunity to make contacts with Turkmenistan's small entrepreneurial community. While Post does not need official Turkmenistan government approval for this program, Post will work with the government in order to invite key officials from economic and business ministries and agencies to participate. Turkmenistan lacks the type of expertise that this event would deliver, so the seminar and the consultations would no doubt bring valuable information to Turkmenistan. If anywhere from 25 to 50 people attend the program, and if the consultant remains busy with individual appointments for the rest of the week, Post will consider it a success. ASHGABAT 00000075 002 OF 002 ¶7. Does the project have a follow-up strategy? Yes. Post intends that these entrepreneurs could participate in future business-related programs to the U.S. (SABIT, etc.),which is important because Turkmenistan should send more non-official participants on business programs. The event would also expand Post's list of contacts among entrepreneurs, a valuable source of information about local business conditions, and they would be included in future events. MILES