Request for DVC Speakers for Two Business DVCs

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000122 SIPDIS FOR IIP/S CBARONE, FROSA INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST WHA/CAR JROSHOLT EEB/CBA DWINSTEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speakers for Two Business DVCs ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Post requests DVC speakers for two DVCs on business. The DVCs will provide Post the opportunity to reach out to the Surinamese business sector in order to advance U.S.-Suriname trade. End Summary. ¶2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests speakers for two separate business-related DVCs. For the first, we request a DVC speaker on "Promoting Surinamese Crafts in the American Market." The Government of Suriname has identified its crafts sector as an area for development. Promoting and expanding this sector would contribute to the development of women-operated micro and small businesses. This DVC would provide artisans and crafters information on tools needed to expand their businesses across national borders. ¶3. (U) For the second DVC, we request an export specialist from U.S. Department of Commerce in Miami, or other appropriate speaker, to do a presentation on "Doing Business in Miami." Miami serves as the main gateway to the United States for Surinamese businesspeople, and this DVC would provide tools to entrepreneurs not yet doing business with the United States. The speaker would address the audience on finding suppliers, understanding tax regulations, opening bank accounts, and other key topics. ¶4. (U) TIME FRAME: First and/or second week of September 2009. ¶5. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The DVC on "Promoting Surinamese Crafts in the American Market" would educate artisans and crafters on how to develop product lines that would be of interest to Americans, and how to access the U.S. market. The Government of Suriname has identified its crafts sector as an area for development. This DVC would expand Post's outreach to local artisans and crafters. The DVC on "Doing Business with Miami" would expand the number of Surinamese businesses using Miami-based business or warehouses as their distributors or suppliers. The business community has repeatedly requested the Embassy expand our commercial programming, and this would serve to fit the need of businesspeople not yet trading with the USA. ¶6. (U) MSP STRATEGIC GOALS: Goal #1 Mutual U.S./Suriname appreciation and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. Goal #4 Evident U.S. Contribution to Suriname's improved economic and social development. ¶7. (U) AUDIENCE: The audience for the DVC on crafts would include private sector artisans and crafters, as well as representatives of NGOs, artisanal groups, and the government. The audience for the DVC on "Doing Business with Miami" would be Surinamese business owners and entrepreneurs. Post will liaise with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Suriname in order to prepare a guest list for this event. ¶8. (U) PROPOSED TOPIC AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Post requests two DVCs, one on "Promoting Surinamese Crafts in the American Market" and a second on "Doing Business with Miami." ¶9. (U) NAME(S) OF DESIRED SPECIALISTS: Post has not yet identified speakers, but would prefer a speaker from Suriname's Partner State of South Dakota for the crafts promotion DVC. Post will coordinate with Washington to identify appropriate speakers. ¶10. (U) LANGUAGE: English ¶11. (U) POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Geneve Menscher, P/E Chief, tel: (597) 472 900 extension 2205, fax: (597) 420 800, email: MenscherGE@state.gov; Judith Dijks, Commercial Assistant, tel: (597) 472-900 ext. 2267, fax: (597) 425 690, email: DijksJB@state.gov. ¶12. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post would be willing to use I-Bucks in support of this program. SCHREIBERHUGHES