UZBEKISTAN: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000947 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT SCA/CEN DEPARTMENT PASS TO OPIC (KENNETH ANGELL) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV EFIN UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE REF: STATE 57096 ¶1. (U) Post knows of no recent events that would impact on the proposed project (reftel) to remodel Malika Hotels Khiva, Khorezm, and Khevak. Despite the global economic downturn, the tourism sector in Uzbekistan is still strong, fueled largely by European retirees. ¶2. (U) Post has no information on Khiva Malikhasi or O&S Consulting relating to potential ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption, or violations of law. ¶3. (U) Post knows of nothing concerning any of the participants that would cause us not to support the project. On the contrary, Post has only the most positive information concerning O&S Consulting. Embassy personnel have stayed in Malika hotels in the past as part of both official and personal travel. NORLAND