VZCZCXYZ0030
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSK #0053/01 0221319
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221319Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5545
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3569
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0023

UNCLAS MINSK 000053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
EB/CBA-DENNIS WINSTEAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP ABUD BTIO AMGT EAGR EINV ETRD BO
SUBJECT: BFIF PROPOSAL FROM BELARUS 
 
REF: A. 06 STATE 189849 
     ¶B. CHISINAU 055 
 
¶1. Embassy Minsk applies for funding under the 
Business Facilitation Incentive Fund for two 
proposals.  First, post proposes hosting a 
professional wine tasting to build the image of 
American wines in Belarus.  Second, post proposes 
funding travel for the Embassy's Pol/Econ (formerly 
FCS) FSN to visit FCS Kyiv to explore the viability 
of establishing a partnership post relationship. 
Proposal information is keyed to points in ref A 
paragraphs 15 and 16. 
 
¶2. Wine tasting proposal 
   --------------------- 
 
A) Brief justification:  Imports of high end 
alcoholic beverages to Belarus have increased 
significantly in recent years.  American wines, 
however, are underrepresented in the market place. 
The success of Australian and South African wines in 
Belarus indicates there could also be sufficient 
demand for American imports.  Post would invite a 
Moscow-based sommelier familiar with American wines 
to Minsk to lead a wine tasting to build the image 
of American wines.  Invitees would include wine 
importers, beverage wholesalers, restaurateurs, key 
cultural figures and an Embassy Moscow Agricultural 
Attache. Post would hold the event at either the CMR 
or the DCMR. 
 
B) Planning milestones: 
March: confirm date of Moscow Agricultural Attache 
visit and participation of Moscow-based sommelier 
Mid-April: invite guests 
Late April: host wine tasting 
May: Follow up with restaurants and wholesalers 
regarding the potential demand for American wines 
 
C) Estimated cost: $2,000. 
Travel, lodging, per diem and honorarium for 
sommelier: $1,000 
Catering: $600 
Wine: $400 
 
D) Points of contact: 
Nathan Lane, Deputy Pol/Econ Chief 
Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 
IVG 577-4434 
lanenp@state.gov 
 
Dmitriy Semenov, Pol/Econ Assistant 
Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 
IVG 577-4556 
semenovdv@state.gov 
 
E) Funding from other sources: No direct funding 
from other sources is planned.  However, the use of 
the Ambassador or DCM's residence will reduce costs. 
Additionally, Moscow's Agricultural Section will 
contribute indirectly through having an officer 
attend during a regularly scheduled visit to Minsk. 
 
F) Success criteria: Post will consider the event 
successful if it serves to improve the image of 
American wines among attendees.  In the long-run 
this would be demonstrated by increased imports of 
American wines. 
 
G) Follow up strategy: Given sufficient local 
interest, post would attempt to piggyback on a 
likely 2008 American Wine Institute visit to Moscow 
in order to stage a second event moving beyond 
promoting the image of American wine to directly 
promoting sales. 
 
¶3. FSN Visit to FCS Kyiv 
   --------------------- 
 
A) Brief justification: Embassy Minsk does not have 
a formal partnership post relationship with another 
Embassy.  Embassy Kyiv could be an option for 
establishing such a relationship.  Belarusian- 
Ukrainian economic ties are increasing, with some 
American businesses with a presence in Kyiv 
interested in selling to the Belarusian market as 
well.  Embassy Minsk's Pol/Econ LES, Dmitriy 
Semenov, previously worked for FCS until 2002, when 
Commerce ended its presence in Minsk.  He is willing 
and able to expand commercial services when market 
and political conditions warrant.  Having a 
partnership post relationship in place will greatly 
facilitate the ability of Embassy Minsk to work with 
local businesses interested in buying American. 
Posts would also have an opportunity to further 
cooperate on specific areas of mutual interest, such 
as the SABIT program (for which a Kyiv-based LES 
handles recruiting in Belarus). 
 
B) Planning milestones: In April post would confirm 
with Embassy Kyiv the dates for travel in May and 
confirm meetings with FCS FSN's and the Senior 
Commercial Officer at Embassy Kyiv.  The visit could 
be timed to coincide with a possible visit by the 
Commercial FSN from Embassy Chisinau (ref B) 
 
C) Estimated cost: $996 for transportation, two 
nights lodging and 2 1/3 days M&IE in Kyiv. 
 
D) Points of contact: 
Nathan Lane, Deputy Pol/Econ Chief 
Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 
IVG 577-4434 
lanenp@state.gov 
 
Dmitriy Semenov, Pol/Econ Assistant 
Tel. 375-17-210-12-83 
IVG 577-4556 
semenovdv@state.gov 
 
E) Funding from other sources: No direct funding 
from other sources is planned.  However, in the past 
the Pol/Econ Section has traveled to Kyiv in an 
official vehicle with other sections to defray 
transportation costs.  If possible, Mr. Semenov 
would do the same. 
 
F) Success criteria: The trip would be a complete 
success if the posts are eventually able to 
establish a fruitful partnership post relationship. 
Short of this, post would hope to obtain new ideas 
for trade promotion that could be put into practice. 
Also, post would learn more fully the capabilities 
of FCS Kyiv, and possibly refer local business 
leaders to that office in instances when Kyiv might 
be able to provide additional services. 
 
G) Follow up strategy: The Pol/Econ Assistant would 
report back on the potential benefits of a 
partnership post relationship, as well as on any 
possible disadvantages.  If it was determined a 
partnership post relationship would be in both 
posts' interest, Embassy Minsk would follow up with 
EB/CBA and DOC in concert with Embassy Kyiv.  If a 
partnership post relationship turned out not to be 
feasible, posts would still maintain contact on 
programs of mutual interest. 
 
Stewart