KENYA REAFFIRMS AGOA PROGRAM

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001139 STATE PASS USTR CONNIE HAMILTON, PATRICK DEAN COLEMAN, AND WILLIAM JACKSON STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AND AF/EPS ANN BREITER, GABRIELLE MALLORY, MARY B. JOHNSON, AND TAWANNA DAVIDSON STATE ALSO FOR AF/EX SYLVIE MARTINEZ AND SONJA WRAY-BROWN AF/PD FOR CLAUDIA ANYASO AND TIJEN AYBAR STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TPP/BTA AMY HOLMAN STATE PLEASE PASS USAID/EA AND USAID/AFR/SD BRUNO CORNELIO AND JEFF MALICK TREASURY FOR DAN PETERS AND REBECCA KLEIN COMMERCE FOR KEVIN BOYD, ALICIA ROBINSON, AND BECKY ERKUL AGRICULTURE FOR DON EVANS AND CATHY MCKINNELL LABOR FOR SUDHA HALEY AND MAUREEN PETTIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMGT ECON ETRD AGOA PGOV PREL KE SUBJECT: KENYA REAFFIRMS AGOA PROGRAM REFS: (A) NAIROBI 1056 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. This cable is not/not for internet distribution. ¶2. Summary: At the June 4 meeting of the AGOA Main Preparatory Committee, the Chair reaffirmed the Government of Kenya's (GOK) commitment to the US-Africa Ministerial Program and strongly discouraged any further changes. The GOK has scheduled a meeting with the ambassadors of AGOA-eligible countries in Nairobi to brief them on the forum, including the final program. Econ/C said the USG would conduct similar outreach to support the GOK's message. The GOK has decided against the August 5 Nairobi National Park "bush dinner" in lieu of an event likely at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC). Econ/C pressed for the joint press conference now that the logo is finalized. The Publicity Sub-Committee presented the media accreditation process. The Private Sector Sub-Committee reported that the trade exhibition is undersubscribed with only 58 booths reserved. End summary. -------------- Program -------------- ¶3. At the June 4 meeting of the AGOA Main Preparatory Committee, Econ/C requested confirmation that the US-Africa Ministerial Program had been finalized. The Chair reaffirmed the Government of Kenya's (GOK) commitment to the program and strongly discouraged any further changes. The GOK has scheduled a meeting with the ambassadors of AGOA-eligible countries in Nairobi to brief them on the forum including the final program. Econ/C said that the meeting is a good opportunity to keep the AGOA-eligible diplomatic corps briefed and engaged on the forum. The Chair said that the Kenyan missions abroad will also be working to brief officials in AGOA-eligible countries about forum activities, including the final program. 
Econ/C said the USG would conduct similar outreach to support the GOK's message. ¶4. The GOK is reconsidering holding the August 5 bush dinner in Nairobi National Park due to logistical and security challenges. Instead, the Hospitality and Accommodation Sub-Committee will plan an alternative event likely at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC). -------------- Media -------------- ¶5. Econ/C emphasized the importance of holding the joint press conference as soon as possible. The GOK has sent the final logo selection to the tender board. Econ/C requested a copy of the final logo to send to the interagency for approval, and pressed for dates to hold the event. The Publicity Sub-Committee pushed for the joint press statement and reported that it has alerted the media to the event. ¶6. The Publicity Sub-Committee reported the requirements for media accreditation. Each media house is required to provide the following -- An accreditation fee: $50 for international journalists and Ksh500 for local media; -- A letter introducing personnel; -- Passport-size photos for badges and identification. The Chair questioned the fees and requested more information about the accreditation process from the sub-committee. He said that information about media accreditation would not be posted to the web-site until the full Committee had agreed to the fees and the process. The Chair confirmed that the Publicity Sub-Committee would organize the press room at the KICC and requested more detailed information about the press room from the sub-committee. (Note: Post would welcome AF/PD feedback on the GOK's media accreditation process. End note.) -------------- Private Sector/Civil Society Progress -------------- ¶7. The Private Sector Sub-Committee requested an official opening of the trade exhibition on August 5. The Chair questioned the logistics of an opening on the first day of the ministerial. Econ/C said that an opening on the margins of the forum might be possible, but must not affect the flow of the established program. The trade show event planner reported that the exhibition is undersubscribed with 58 stands reserved for the exhibit. The Civil Society Sub-Committee reported that it has identified, in partnership with the US civil society lead, key speakers for its sessions. -------------- GOK Progress -------------- ¶8. The Conferencing Sub-Committee announced that the badging system has been tested, and the committee will meet June 9 with stakeholders to sign-off on the final system so that it can go live. The Chair, supported by Econ/C, requested more detailed information about the badging process, including delineation of responsibilities throughout the process. During the meeting, the Chair re-confirmed that the East African Community Investment Conference will be held either one day earlier or later than the AGOA Forum. Ranneberger