VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #0037/01 0131623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131623Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9038
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000037 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EEB/CBA-DWINSTEAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ETRD EINV CG
SUBJECT: DRC 2009 BFIF PROPOSALS 
 
REF: A) STATE 128559 
 B) JAFFEE-WINSTEAD 01-09-2009 TELCON 
 
¶1. (U) Post proposes two projects for funding under the Business 
Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) for 2009: An East and Central 
Africa Economic Officers Conference to be hosted by Embassy 
Kinshasa, and a series of U.S-DRC commercial seminars in key 
selected cities in the DRC. 
 
¶2. Project 1: East and Central Africa Economic Officers Conference 
 
 
A - Justification. Post proposes hosting an East and Central Africa 
Economic Officers Conference in Kinshasa. The conference will bring 
together Economic Officers from throughout East and Central Africa 
with regionally-based USG officials from agencies such as USAID, 
FAA, Commerce, USDA, USTDA, and MCC.  Conference objectives will be 
to enhance cooperation among Economic Officers in the sub-region; 
develop more effective communication and coordination with USG 
agencies not present at most AF/C and AF/E posts; exchange views on 
key economic issues, including regional economic integration; and 
promote the professional development of State Department Entry Level 
Officers. 
 
B- Planning Milestones. The timing, budget and agenda will be 
developed in consultation with EEB/CBA. Post looks forward to 
discussing these issues with EEB/CBA and other embassies and 
agencies during the mid-February AF Commercial Training Program in 
Johannesburg. 
 
C- Estimate Costs.  To be developed in consultation with EEB/CBA. 
 
 
¶3. Project 2: U.S.-DRC Commercial Outreach Road-Show 
 
A- Justification. Despite significant potential commercial 
opportunities for U.S. companies due to the DRC's vast natural 
resources, large population (65 million) and generally open trade 
regime, enhanced U.S.-DRC commercial relations remain hampered by 
the country's challenging investment climate. The World Bank has 
rated the DRC as the most difficult country in the world to do 
business in its annual Doing Business ranking. At the same time, 
local private sector associations and the government of the DRC 
(GDRC) have expressed a strong desire to work more closely with the 
USG to improve and enhance U.S.-DRC commercial relations and take 
greater advantage of USG programs such as AGOA. This commercial 
outreach activity will include the organization of seminars in three 
principal commercial cities in the DRC: Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and 
Kisangani. 
 
Each seminar will include presentations on doing business with the 
United States, including information on key USG programs and 
policies, to support increased U.S.-DRC trade and investment. The 
seminars will serve to enhance U.S.-DRC commercial relations by 
providing practical information to potential commercial partners, as 
well as provide an opportunity to engage with Congolese 
interlocutors in major commercial centers on overcoming key hurdles 
to doing business in the DRC. Post proposes organizing the seminars 
in coordination with the Congolese Chamber of Commerce (FEC or 
Federation des Entreprises, in French), the leading national 
advocate for the promotion and protection of private enterprise in 
the DRC. 
 
B- Planning Milestones. Post proposes holding one seminar in each of 
the second, third and fourth quarters of 2009. The Kinshasa seminar 
will serve as the kick-off of the outreach series. Performance 
indicators will be based on the number of participants benefiting 
from enhanced knowledge of doing business with the United States, 
with the longer-term dual goals of enhancing U.S.-DRC commercial 
relations and removing obstacles for U.S. trade and investment. 
 
C- Estimated Costs. Total estimated costs for all three seminars is: 
$7415.00. (Note: FEC has agreed to provide use of their conference 
room facilities in all three cities free of charge. Travel-related 
costs to Lubumbashi and Kisangani reflect post-imposed restrictions 
on the use of DRC owned/operated airlines, which limits domestic 
flight options and require longer stays in each city. End Note) 
 
Kinshasa: 
Miscellaneous expenses: $250 
 
Lubumbashi: 
Airfare for Econ Officer and FSN: $2000.00 
Lodging/Per Diem for Econ Officer and FSN: $2300.00 
Miscellaneous Expenses: $250.00 
Local Transportation: $400.00 
TOTAL: $4950.00 
 
Kisangani: 
Airfare for Econ Officer and FSN:$1080.00 
Lodging/Per Diem for Econ Officer and FSN: $835.00 
Miscellaneous Expenses: $200.00 
Local: Transportation: $100.00 
TOTAL: $2215.00 
 
¶4. Point of Contact at post for both proposals is Economic Counselor 
Elizabeth Jaffee, email: jaffeeee@state.gov. 
 
GARVELINK