APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: SUMMIT ASSOCIATES AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS KABUL 000222 SIPDIS DEPT PASS USTR FOR DELANEY AND DEANGELIS DEPT PASS OPIC FOR GORAVANCHI AND KENNERLY DEPT PASS TDA FOR STEIN AND GREENIP TREASURY FOR LMCDONALD, ABAUKOL, BDAHL, AND MNUGENT OSD FOR SHIVERS COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: EINV EFIN AF SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: SUMMIT ASSOCIATES AFGHANISTAN PHASE II REF: State 1390 ¶1. This message responds to reftel request for Embassy input on potential OPIC financing to Summit Associates Afghanistan, to support the expansion of its dairy operations with a 5000MT multi-purpose storage facility in Kabul and a 2000MT dry storage warehouse in Kunduz. Both units will store finished milk and juice products destined for the Afghan consumer market. ¶2. According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Dairy Field Manager at the National Food and Agriculture Organization, and our own informal local market survey, there is and will continue to be a great demand for domestically produced dairy products in Afghanistan. Summit is currently the only large-scale producer of UHT milk in the country. ¶3. Summit Associates and its U.S. sponsor, Mr. Reha Celikay, are favorably known to State officers at post. Embassy Kabul has no adverse information on Summit Associates or Mr. Celikay, with respect to potential ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption, violations of law, or any other commercial and financial considerations. We recommend the expansion proposal be given serious consideration in light of its positive impact on Afghan employment and the supply of more nutritious, vitamin-fortified milk to the country's children. EIKENBERRY