VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #0095/01 0131543
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131543Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6464

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MSZYMANSKI AND JBOBO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG EAGR ECON PGOV TBIO KPAO CO
SUBJECT: BOGOTA PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SPEAKER ON NEXT 
GENERATION BIOFUELS 
 
REF: A. STATE 129940 
     ¶B. 08 BOGOTA 4353 
 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY:  Post requests that EEB fund a 
Spanish-speaking U.S. expert on development of second 
generation biofuels, focusing on trends in the biotechnology 
sector and how biofuels producers can prepare for the shift 
from current production technology to the next generation. 
While Colombia has become a regional leader in the production 
of first generation biofuels for job creation, domestic 
energy diversification and emissions reduction, private 
sector producers and government policymakers have not focused 
on oncoming technology trends.  The goal of the outreach is 
to focus the attention of producers, policymakers, and 
researchers to examine the benefits of biotechnology in 
preparing Colombia to sustainably modernize its biofuels 
sector in the coming years.  This speaker program would 
support USG economic and clean energy development objectives, 
including those outlined in the September 18, 2008, 
U.S.-Colombia Memorandum of Understanding to Advance 
Cooperation on Renewable and Clean Energy signed by Secretary 
Rice.  Upon approval, Post will work on identifying a 
specific speaker candidate in coordination with the 
Department.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U)  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:  By instituting aggressive tax 
incentives and transportation fuel blending mandates, 
Colombia has created a favorable investment climate for 
biofuels production and become a regional leader in producing 
ethanol and biodiesel for domestic transportation consumption 
and emissions reduction.  Sugar-based ethanol and palm 
oil-based biodiesel production have expanded rapidly in 
recent years and are expected to supply ten percent of 
Colombia's transportation fuel needs by 2010.  Accordingly, 
the industry is currently at the forefront of generating 
alternative rural employment to illegal coca production and 
armed insurgency.  Nevertheless, Colombia is approaching 
limits on available land for sugar production and navigating 
environmental and social concerns in its expansion of 
palm-growing areas (ref B).  Likewise, Colombia possesses 
enormous amounts of unused biomass waste from its large 
coffee, banana and sugar industries that could be utilized 
for energy production.  To position its growing, but still 
nascent, biofuels industry for continued job creation while 
balancing land use issues, Colombian biofuels producers need 
to begin focusing on how to use biotechnology and new 
production trends to capture the efficiencies and 
sustainablility gains expected through second generation 
biofuels technology. 
 
¶3.  (U)  COST:  Program would be supported wholly from EEB 
funds.  Estimated cost of this program is USD 5,750 which 
will include transportation, lodging, and interpretation (if 
needed) as follows: 
 
Transport: USD 2,000 (R/T US-Bogota) 
Local Travel (R/T most likely to Cali):  USD 750 
Per diem (3 program and 2 travel days):  USD 1,250 
Interpretation (USD 500/day):  USD 1,500 (as needed) 
Miscellaneous: (Meeting Room/invitations):  USD 250 
 
¶4.  (U)  TIME FRAME:  Given impending summer turnover, Post 
would like to arrange for speaker in April or May of 2009 
before projected staffing gaps arise. 
 
¶5.  (U)  MISSION STRATEGIC PLAN THEME AND PURPOSE OF THE 
PROGRAM:  This program meets Post's FY 2009 MSP goal of 
"Promoting Economic Growth and Security" by helping to 
sustainably develop Colombia's agriculture and energy sectors 
as sources of legitimate employment and alternatives to coca 
cultivation.  The program also supports the goals of the 
September 18, 2008, U.S.-Colombia Memorandum of Understanding 
to Advance Cooperation on Renewable and Clean Energy signed 
by Secretary of State Rice and Colombian Foreign Minister 
Jaime Bermudez.  The continued sustainablQevelopment of 
Colombia's biofuels industry will assist Colombia in 
generating agricultural sector employment, reducing emissions 
and increasing its energy security.  A speaker program on 
next generation biofuels will also directly support the 
increasing bilateral cooperation in this important sector. 
 
¶6.  (U)  AUDIENCE:  Speaker will primarily address private 
sector biofuels producers; policy-makers such as 
representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, 
Environment, Energy, and Foreign Affairs; and scientific 
experts from the Colombian Institute of Science (Colciencias) 
and Colombian Institute for Agriculture (ICA). 
 
¶7.  (U)  IIP PARTICIPATION:  There will be no IIP 
participation in this program. 
 
¶8.  (U)  LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluent Spanish strongly 
preferred 
 
¶9.  (U)  POST CONTACT INFORMATION:  Program officer would be 
Deputy Economic Counselor William Popp.  Email address: 
poppww@state.gov; Telephone number: 011-57-383-2780; 
Unclassified fax: 011-571-383-2053; Cell phone number: 
310-478-4669. 
NICHOLS