VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #3225/01 3411245
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071245Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3604
INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 2710
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 003225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/CBA (DWINSTEAD), EB/EX 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON BEXP ETRD EIND ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA'S BFIF PROJECT PROPOSALS: ADDIS CHAMBER 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR PARTICIPATION; OUTREACH TO 
REGIONAL CHAMBERS 
 
REF: A. STATE 189849 
     ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 000904 
 
PROPOSAL 1: TRADE FAIR PARTICIPATION 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶1. The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 11th 
Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (ACITF) February 
22-28, 2007.  ACITF is the largest, most important trade fair 
in Ethiopia attracting over 260 local and foreign exhibitors. 
 In 2006, post displayed a new, modern, and 
professionally-designed USA booth, provided one-on-one 
counseling for local businesses, and held a half-day seminar 
on doing business with the United States.  Post's 
participation received wide media coverage as the Ambassador, 
the Minister of Trade and Industry, and wide range of 
entrepreneurs and established industry heavy weights opened 
our new USA booth.  Throughout the trade fair, the USA Booth 
was visited by several hundred businessmen and women. 
 
¶2. The overall objectives of post's participation on the 2007 
ACITF are to introduce American investors, with a focus on 
those of Ethiopian origin, to trade and investment 
opportunities in Ethiopia; promote U.S. products and services 
to Ethiopian companies; highlight USG programs and polices to 
support private sector development; provide Ethiopian 
companies with information on how to do business with United 
States; and encourage business linkages between U.S and 
Ethiopian firms. 
 
¶3. For the 2007 ACITF, post is proposing a special focus be 
placed on engaging the Diaspora.  The million-strong 
Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States can play an important 
role in Ethiopia's economic development and growth by 
providing critically needed financial capital, promoting the 
transfer of skills and technology, and building human 
resource capacity.  Stronger trade and investment ties with 
Ethiopia by the Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States can 
also serve as an important mechanism to constructively engage 
Ethio-Americans in Ethiopia's development by providing them 
with a stake in the country's economic growth and 
democratization.  Given the limited experience of many local 
producers with exporting to the U.S. market, partnerships 
with Ethio-American-owned and -operated companies is a 
natural first step in doing business with the United States. 
The Government of Ethiopia has actively worked to attract 
investment from the Diaspora, including the adoption of 
legislation that grants foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin 
special privileges and incentives for trade and investment. 
 
¶4. Milestones:  The 11th Addis Chamber International Trade 
Fair (ACITF) is scheduled to take place February 22-28, 2007. 
Planning milestones include: 
 
- January 1:  Develop trade show theme and program with 
State, USAID and its partners, and local American businesses. 
- January 5:  Identify and invite prominent business people 
in the Diaspora to the trade fair. 
- January 10:  Register and make payments to Addis Ababa 
Chamber of Commerce. 
- January 15:  Invite U.S. companies with local 
representation (such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Boeing, etc.) 
to take part in the trade fair. 
- January 22:  Seek sponsorship partners. 
- January 29:  Hire planning/event manager. 
- February 1:  Complete agenda and program for half-day 
seminar on doing business in the United States. 
- February 15:  Complete staffing plan for the USA booth. 
- February 22-28:  Trade Fair 
 
¶5. Funding Request: Post is requesting early FY 07 BFIF funds 
for USG participation in the 2007 Addis Chamber International 
Trade Fair for a total amount of USD 9,700. A summary of the 
budget is a follows: 
 
- Booth Rental/ Registration fee          =     USD 
5,000.00 
- Event Manager (hiring of staff incl.)   =     USD   3,200.00 
- Publications/Reproduction Materials     =     USD     500.00 
- Miscellaneous Expenses                  =     USD     500.00 
- Half Day Seminar (room rental/catering) =     USD 
500.00 
 
Total estimated cost = USD 9,700.00 
 
PROPOSAL 2:  DOING BUSINESS WITH THE US: AN OUTREACH PROGRAM 
TO THE ETHIOPIAN REGIONAL CHAMBERS 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
 
 
¶6. The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (ECC) is an umbrella 
national chamber of commerce made up of 15 city chambers.  It 
is the single largest all-encompassing trade promotion and 
private sector development institution in the country.  Its 
mandate is to promote Ethiopia's products to the world, 
develop international trade and promote investment in 
Ethiopia, and foster the development of a vibrant and dynamic 
private sector in the country.  All of the city chambers 
except The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral 
Association lack skilled man power, business resource 
materials, information on how to use the internet, and 
knowledge of how to get in touch with U.S. businesses. 
 
¶7. Post will prepare an information kit on U.S. Embassy 
commercial section services and basic guidelines on how to 
find U.S. suppliers.  Post will establish direct lines of 
communication with local chambers to keep the chambers and 
their constituents abreast of upcoming trade shows in the 
U.S. and programs like the International Buyers Program. 
Different businesses operating in the regions will gain basic 
skills on how to do business with U.S. firms.  Businesses 
involved in the export sector would be briefed on AGOA 
provisions programs and its advantages.  Outreach events 
would increase entrepreneurial capacity of the local business 
people in developing country markets.  Information would be 
available to regional entrepreneurs on what U.S. businesses 
seek and they would be encouraged to take advantage out of it. 
 
¶8. Milestones:  The two-week outreach program is scheduled to 
take place in April 2007.  The exact date will be determined 
after consultation with city chambers. Post has chosen four 
representative city chambers for this program: Bahir Dar, 
Mekele, Dire Dawa, and Awassa.  A maximum of 3 days is 
allocated for each city chamber and the rest for traveling. 
Planning milestones include: 
 
- February 20:  Submit proposals of outreach program to 
regional chambers. 
- March 22:  Finalize program schedule with regional chambers. 
- March 26:  Prepare flyers, information kit and lecture 
notes. 
- April 2-5:  Arrive at Bahir Dar and start out reach program. 
- April 10-12:  Arrive at Mekele and commence out reach 
program. 
- April 16-18:  Conduct outreach program at Dire Dawa Chamber 
of Commerce. 
- April 19-20:  Resume Outreach program at Awassa Chamber of 
Commerce. 
- April 23-28:  Prepare trip/outreach report. 
 
¶9. Funding Request:  Post is requesting BFIF funds for 
financing the commercial out reach program. A summary of the 
budget is a follows: 
 
- Travel/per diem for Embassy Personnel   =     USD 
1,636.00 
- US Business Directories (CD Rom)        =     USD   1,200.00 
- Publications/Reproduction Materials     =     USD     350.00 
- Miscellaneous Expenses                  =     USD     500.00 
 
Total Estimated Cost: USD 3,686.00 
 
¶10.   POINTS OF CONTACT: 
 
Mr. Nicholas Namba 
Economic/Commercial Officer 
US Embassy Addis Ababa 
Tel.:   251-11-517-4111 
Fax:   251-11-124-2405 
E-mail: namban@state.gov 
 
Mr. Fassil Yilma 
Commercial Specialist (LES) 
US Embassy Addis Ababa 
Tel.:   251-11-517-4450/51 
Fax:   251-11-124-2431 
E-mail: yilmaf@state.gov 
YAMAMOTO