Namibia: 2010 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 WINDHOEK 000064 SIPDIS EEB/CBA - DENNIS A. WINSTEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ECON EINV ETRD BTIO WA SUBJECT: Namibia: 2010 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) Proposal REF: 09 STATE 126674 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Embassy Windhoek is pleased to submit its 2010 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) request. Post has identified two priorities for 2010 BFIF funding: (1) $6494 - Local Trade Fair Participation (2) $3500 - Training for Locally Engaged Staff (LES) Both items will support the third goal in Embassy Windhoek's Mission Strategic Plan (MSP) which is to promote Namibian economic growth and prosperity through "increased regional and bilateral trade . . . [by] showcasing trade opportunities under AGOA, Buy USA, and USAID's regional trade hub services, and encourage U.S. and Namibian private sector exchanges." End Summary. -------------- 2009 BFIF Activity -------------- ¶2. (U) With BFIF funding in 2009, Post economic and commercial officer (econoff) and the locally engaged economic and commercial assistant attended the Regional CS-State Commercial Training sponsored by FCS Johannesburg February 17-20. Following the training, Embassy Windhoek signed on to the Post Partnership Programs (PPP) established under the joint State-Commercial Service Memorandum of Understanding. Following Post's joining the PPP, we have successfully delivered on one Gold Key and ensured Namibian participation in an International Buyer Program (IBP). Post has been active in promoting business opportunities in Namibia by sending trade leads to FCS in South Africa and the Corporate Council for Africa (CCA). Post's trade lead system was highlighted during the 2009 regional CS-State Commercial Training as a best practice. Post maintains an excellent working relationship with FCS in South Africa and has also worked closely with USTDA. -------------- Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) Proposal -------------- ¶3. (U) Embassy Windhoek has signed up to participate in the 2010 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF),which will take place August 27 to September 4. The OATF is the preeminent business/trade show for the north of Namibia, the region of the country that is home to over 50 percent of population. Ongwediva is also very close to Angola so domestic and foreign companies are increasingly interested in setting up retail and other operations to service the Angolan market. The 2008 fair attracted 480 exhibitors including companies and trade promotion organizations from Botswana, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. ¶4. (U) The Embassy has sponsored a booth in previous years, but the booths have focused on the breadth of Mission activities, rather than primarily on doing business with the United States. For the 2010 OATF, post plans to sponsor a booth focused on the theme "Doing Business With the U.S.". Post plans to staff and/or fill the booth with materials from FCS, USTDA, the Southern Africa Competiveness Trade Hub, EXIM, OPIC, USDA, and other U.S. organizations, plus information on AGOA as well as links to prominent U.S. equipment and material supply companies (e.g. Thomas WINDHOEK 00000064 002 OF 003 Register and Hoover's online). ¶5. (U) To ensure the widest possible U.S. commercial participation at the OATF, Post has reached out to other USG agencies to support our effort. FCS/ South Africa has agreed to send one (and possibly two) representatives. Jason Nagy from USTDA's regional office in South Africa has indicated he may also be able to attend. In addition, the USAID-sponsored Southern Africa Competiveness Trade Hub has offered to contribute staff and materials. ¶6. (U) Post is also working to generate private sector interest in the OATF. On January 28, Ambassador Mathieu will participate in a three-way Digital Video Conference with FCS South Africa and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). FCS South Africa has invited members of the South African American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to attend. Namibia does not have an AmCham, given the small number of American companies present in Namibia. Nevertheless, given the close economic/commercial ties between South Africa and Namibia, participation at the OATF by the South African AmCham makes sense. In addition, some CCA members have expressed interest in attending the OATF. Post also will prominently display information on the OATF on the CS Namibia website which is currently in design. ¶7. (U) Post requests the following funding to cover part of the Embassy's participation in OATF: $ 650 Space rental (9 sq m) in main pavilion $ 500 Internet Connectivity at the OATF $3040 Lodging 8 nights x 4 people $2304 M&IE 8 days x 4 people -------------- $6494 Total cost to be covered by BFIF -------------- -------------- Training for Locally Engaged Staff (LES) Proposal -------------- -------------- ¶8. (U) As Embassy Windhoek becomes more engaged in commercial advocacy, the training of our Locally Engaged Staff member (LES) is critical. Windhoek's LES will provide the continuity and institutional memory for our advocacy efforts. As noted in paragraph 2, post's locally engaged economic and commercial assistant attended the Regional CS-State Commercial Training sponsored by FCS Johannesburg February 17-20, 2009. Post seeks to find additional, more focused, training for our economic and commercial assistant. Post has identified three potential FSI courses highlighted in paragraphs 9-11 below (in rank order of preference). ¶9. (U) Course: PE125 - Commercial Tradecraft Justification: This course prepares Officers and LES to be responsive and effective in providing assistance to U.S. businesses seeking advice, information and support in the pursuit of trade and investment opportunities abroad. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges and opportunities at embassies and consulates (such as Embassy Windhoek) where there is no Department of Commerce presence. Participation in this course will provide not only focused training for our LES, but it will widen the LES's network of contacts at both State and the Department of Commerce. ¶10. (U) Course: PE142 - Resource Economics Seminar Justification: This seminar provides a comprehensive understanding WINDHOEK 00000064 003 OF 003 of extractive industries, focusing on natural resources, minerals and mining. The course features interaction with the U.S. Geological Survey, private firms, trade associations and non-governmental organizations with interests in mineral resources. Mining is Namibia's number one industry. Understanding this industry in order to better assist American businesses that may have an interest in investing in and/or selling products/equipment to the Namibia mining sector is critical. ¶11. (U) Course: PE127 - Petroleum and Gas Industry Justification: This course presents an overview of the energy industry from the industry's perspective. It is designed to increase energy-reporting officers' knowledge of the petroleum and gas industry and international issues of concern to U.S. industry executives. Namibia has a burgeoning hydrocarbons sector. US companies are already working in exploration and there is a possibility for expansion. 12 (U) USD $3500 in BFIF funding is requested to cover the roundtrip airfare to send Embassy Windhoek LES to one of the above mentioned courses. Lodging and M&IE fees will be covered through normal training funds. -------------- Post BFIF Contacts -------------- ¶13. (U) Embassy Windhoek's points of contact for this BFIF request are: Economic and Commercial Officer Frank DeParis, +264-61-295-8549, deparisf@state.gov; or Rauna Mutumbulua, +264-61-295-8596, MutumbuluaMR@state.gov. MATHIEU