This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000278 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EB/CBA: DWINSTEAD, EB/EX, NEA/ARP: PHEFFERNAN 
 
CAIRO FOR STEVE BONDY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP BTIO EINV ETRD ABUD BA
SUBJECT: MANAMA'S REQUEST FOR FY04 BFIF FUNDING 
 
REF: STATE 242589, 03 STATE 335536 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: Manama requests USD 7000 in funding from the 
FY04 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) to 
establish and equip a resource center for a new chapter of 
the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. BACKGROUND: In FY03, BFIF supported AmCham Bahrain 
formation by funding visits from AmCham Cairo 
representatives to Bahrain to discuss the purpose and 
importance of an AmCham for the U.S. business community to 
reinforce and coalesce increase interest in the formation of 
an AmCham in Bahrain.  Later, BFIF funded U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce's John Howard's travel to Bahrain to work with a 
core AmCham formation committee on by-laws and a business 
plan for the group.  In consultation with John Howard, these 
documents have been revised.  The formation committee is now 
preparing translations of their by-laws and business plan to 
present to the Government of Bahrain.  Positive meetings 
with the GOB, including those with the AmCham delegation 
from Cairo as well as with John Howard, lead us to believe 
that GOB accreditation will be unproblematic.  The formation 
committee anticipates presenting its credentials to the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce this spring, and to be up and running 
soon thereafter. 
 
¶3. With bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations 
underway, U.S. business interest in Bahrain and Bahraini 
business interest in the U.S. has increased.  The 
seriousness of this interest is substantiated by requests 
for International Company Profiles (ICPs) and Gold Key 
Service not seen in previous years at this embassy.  A 
bilateral Free Trade Agreement should push this trend.  The 
new AmCham could augment Embassy matchmaking efforts through 
its own programs. 
 
¶4. Post requests funding to establish and equip an American 
Chamber of Commerce Resource Center in Bahrain.  The 
information-age Center could be a nexus for up-to-date 
matchmaking information searches, market research and 
industrial trends on a local and global level.  To assure 
that the AmCham is able to provide added value through 
current information beyond what is readily available to the 
average internet user, we are requesting an internet-ready 
laptop computer and printer together with subscriptions to 
online searchable data services.   These resources will give 
the members and visitors access to active tenders and 
project details in addition to commercial and economic news 
in the local, regional and global market.  The laptop, 
together with an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machine and 
a projector can serve double duty, as AmCham office 
equipment to prepare brochures and invitations, and to make 
presentations designed to drive and inform membership.  We 
anticipate that these resources will contribute to making 
the AmCham Resource Center a destination for the business 
community in Bahrain. 
 
 
--------------------------- 
Specific Resource Requests: 
--------------------------- 
--------- 
Hardware: 
--------- 
 
HP Pavilion ze4510OM-B Laptop/ OfficeJet5510 Printer Bundle 
Estimated Cost: USD 1,349.98 
     Source: Officemax.com 
     Website: www.officemax.com 
     Brief Description: 
 
Computer: HP Pavilion ZE4510OM-B Notebook PC 
Features: 
     Processor: Intelr Celeron processor 2.4GHz 
     Memory: 512MB, expandable to 1024MB 
     Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP, 3D architecture 
     Video Memory: 64MB 
     Hard Drive: 40GB enhanced IDE drive 
     Multimedia Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo 
     Display: 15" XGA TFT (1024x768) 
     Ethernet: Integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN 
          (RJ-45 connector) 
     Modem: Integrated V.90/V.92 56KB modem 
     Audio: 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio; 
          Altec Lansing internal speakers 
     Pointing Device: Touch Pad with On/Off button 
          and dedicated Scroll Up/Down pad 
     Dimensions: 12.96"x10.72"x1.62" 
     Weight: 7.25 lbs. 
     Bundled printer: HP PSC 2175 All-In-One Machine 
 
Printer/scanner/fax: HP OfficeJet5510 4-In-One Flatbed 
Features: 
     Print speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color 
     Copy speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color 
     Resolution: print up to 4800-optimized dpi color 
          and laser-quality black text 
     Scanning: Up to 600 x 2400 dpi optical resolution 
          and 36-bit color 
     Connectivity: USB ADF allows you to fax, scan or copy 
          up to 20 pages while you attend to other matters 
     Duty cycle: 1,000 pages per month 
     Operating systems: Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000 
     Professional, XP, Mac OS 9.1, OS X1 
     Year limited warranty 
 
Printer Cable: Belkin USB Gold Cable 
Estimated Cost: $ 30 
     Source: Officemax.com 
     Website: www.officemax.com 
 
Projector: 
HP Digital Projector SB21 
Estimated cost: $1,699 
     Source: Officemax.com 
     Website: www.officemax.com 
     Features: 
     1,000 comparable lumens. 
     True SVGA (800 x 600 dpi) resolution. 
     1800:1 contrast ratio. 
     7.9" x 5.5" x 2.3" 2.2 lbs. 
     Wireless remote control with mouse functions 
          and laser pointer. 
 
--------------------------- 
Online reference resources: 
--------------------------- 
Dun and Bradstreet company information 
Estimated Cost:  USD 675.00 (one hundred reports at 
     USD 6.75 each--valid for one year 
     Source:  Rime--a correspondent of Dun and Bradstreet 
     P.O. Box 54579 
     Office No. 11, Bldg 173, Road 327, Block 308 
     Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain 
     Tel: (973) 251150 / 251141 
     Fax: (973) 232994  / 231051 
     Brief description:  Provides comprehensive company 
     analysis including credit history, marketing 
     strategies and purchasing decisions. 
 
Trade Arabia 
Estimated Cost: USD 400 
Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group 
     P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain 
     Tel: 293131 
     Website:  www.tradearabia.com 
     Brief description:  Lists all active tenders, project 
     details, project news including breaking news and news 
     archives from all Arab and G.C.C. countries 
 
Gulf Construction 
Estimated cost: USD 95 per year (12 issues) 
     Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group 
     P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain 
     Tel: 293131 
     Website: www.gulfconstruction.com 
     Brief description: Current and archived news about the 
     construction sector 
 
Gulf Industry Manufacturing and Trading (GI) 
Estimated cost: USD 55.00 for two years 
     Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group 
     P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain 
     Website: www.gulfindustryonline.com 
     Tel: 293131 
     Brief description: Industrialists, factory managers and 
     purchasing managers, government departments of trade 
     and industry, major distributors of industrial 
     products, Chambers of Commerce and embassies 
     internationally. 
 
BMI Monthly Monitors:  Middle East Monitor - The Gulf 
Estimated cost: USD 490.000 
     Source: Business Monitor International 
     Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 
     Website: http://www.economy.com/store/ 
     Brief description: Monthly updates on major political, 
     economic and financial developments in emerging markets 
     worldwide. Systematic, country-by-country analyses of 
     recent and likely changes in political risk, economic 
     performance and prospects, industrial activity, finance 
     and the business environment. 
 
Oil and Gas News Worldwide-weekly updates 
Estimated cost: USD 695 
     Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group 
     PO Box 224 Manama Bahrain 
     Tel: 293131 
     Website: www.oilandgasnewsworldwide.com 
     Brief description: News and views, comment, analysis, 
     contracts, advance warning of tenders, pipeline 
     projects, technology, market analysis, oil stock prices 
     and futures, explorations and gas technology including 
     senior personnel in oil companies, drilling and 
     exploration contractors, technical supply and services, 
     surveyors and consultants, marine and offshore service 
     suppliers and government agencies. 
 
Prcis State 
Estimated Cost:  USD 600.00 
     Annual subscription includes current report and two 
     updates. 
     Source: Economy.com 
     Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 
     Website: www.economy.com 
     Description: Concise yet comprehensive research on the 
     current and expected economic conditions of the fifty 
     U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto 
     Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Five-year forecasts of 
     gross state product, employment, income, population, 
     housing activity, migration flows, vehicle 
     registrations, and personal bankruptcies, recent 
     economic performance and short- and long-term outlooks. 
 
The Dismal Scientist 
Estimated cost: USD 495 
     Source: Economy.com 
     Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299 
     Website: http://www.economy.com/dismal/ 
     Brief Description:  Daily coverage of the 
     macroeconomic, industry, financial, and regional trends 
     that affect business and investment, 
     including analysis, special reports, and proprietary 
     tools. Real-time economic indicator coverage of over 
     180 economic indicators for 40 countries, the Euro 
     Zone, and the OECD. 
 
 
¶5. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR ESTABLISHING AND EQUIPPING AN 
AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOURCE CENTER: USD 6585, plus 
shipping charges. 
 
¶6. Post appreciates the opportunity to apply for BFIF 
funding and thanks EB in advance for giving our proposal 
your fullest consideration. 
FORD