RIGA'S FY2009 BFIF PROPOSALS

UNCLAS RIGA 000035 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/CBA AND EUR/NB HELSINKI FOR SCO CARRICO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD BEXP EINV LG SUBJECT: RIGA'S FY2009 BFIF PROPOSALS ¶1. Summary: Embassy Riga proposes two FY09 projects for the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund. The first is connected to the upcoming launch of the Commerce-State Post Partnership Program MOU for Fee Collection, while the other focuses on energy security, a key mission priority. Post requests funding to send our Economic/Commercial LES for training in Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) services standards and services and funding to commission a report on investment opportunities in the energy sector. End Summary. -------------- Project 1: Training -------------- ¶2. Proposed project 1: Training for Commercial Specialist in FCS procedures, applications and standards, including the new Client Tracking System (CTS). The Commercial Specialist has already received training at Partnership Post in Stockholm, but post is looking into the possibility of a more comprehensive joint training with LES from other non-CS posts. Post does not believe another training session with Stockholm CS staff is necessary at this time, but as new procedures are introduced with the roll-out of the State-Commerce MOU, we hope there will be an opportunity for the Commercial Specialist to participate in any regional program to receive training suggested by EEB/CBA or FCS. A) Justification: Post understands that the upcoming launch of the Commerce-State Post Partnership Program MOU for Fee Collection will require that the services provided by non-FCS posts meet all FCS standard requirements. Post has had a successful partnership delivering services in conjunction with the Latvian AmCham, and more complete training in standards and the CTS system will allow the commercial specialist to assess the best method to deliver services going forward. B) Planning Milestones: March 2009: BFIF money is awarded; April 2009-July 2009: Post identifies potential sites for training together with regional posts and EEB/CBA, coordinates hotel and other logistic details; August 2009: Economic/Commercial/EU FSN has received CTS training; September 2009: Post sends final BFIF report on performance metrics. C) Performance Metric: Use of revenue generated from new FCS tools and programs at post to provide better service to U.S. businesses in collaboration with the local AmCham. D) Estimated Costs: Transportation: USD 1000, Hotel, Meals and Incidental Expenses: USD 900, Ground Transportation USD 100. Total Requested: USD 2,000. E) Point of Contact: Political/Economic Officer Matthew Stokes, phone: 371-6703-6287, fax: 371-6782-0047, email: stokesmr@state.gov. -------------- Project 2: Research -------------- ¶2. Proposed project 2: Using as a model the well-received report developed by Embassy Vilnius using FY2008 BFIF funds, Embassy Riga would engage a local research organization to produce a report exploring the opportunities for U.S. companies in the energy sector, and particularly in renewable energy. A) Justification: Post has identified the energy sector as one of the industries with continued potential for investment despite the economic difficulties facing Latvia. It is one of the industries for which we receive the greatest number of inquiries from both Latvian and American companies. Furthermore, increasing energy security is a key policy goal in response to Latvia's current reliance on gas imports from Russia. A well-produced research report could both focus attention on a sector with great potential and increase the Commercial Specialist's ability to respond to inquiries quickly and helpfully. B) Planning Milestones: March 2009: BFIF money is awarded; April 2009: Post selects firm to produce report. August 2009: Report finalized September 2009: Post sends final BFIF report on performance metrics. C) Performance Metric: Increase in number of inquiries on energy projects from U.S. companies; improved satisfaction in Embassy response to inquiries; eventual establishment of U.S.-led projects in the energy sector in Latvia. D) Estimated Costs: Post requests $7,500 for this project. E) Leveraging of resources: While there are not additional resources to use for this project, it would prove helpful in working toward both commercial and policy goals for Latvia. E) Point of Contact: Political/Economic Officer Matthew Stokes, phone: 371-6703-6287, fax: 371-6782-0047, email: stokesmr@state.gov. LARSON