VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRA #0035/01 0151545
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151545Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5555
INFO RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 1136
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS RIGA 000035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EEB/CBA AND EUR/NB 
HELSINKI FOR SCO CARRICO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD BEXP EINV LG
SUBJECT: RIGA'S FY2009 BFIF PROPOSALS 
 
¶1. Summary:  Embassy Riga proposes two FY09 projects 
for the Business Facilitation Incentive Fund.  The first is 
connected to the upcoming launch of the Commerce-State Post 
Partnership Program MOU for Fee Collection, while the other focuses 
on energy security, a key mission priority. Post requests funding to 
send our Economic/Commercial LES for training in Foreign Commercial 
Service (FCS) services standards and services and funding to 
commission a report on investment opportunities in the energy 
sector.  End Summary. 
 
------------------- 
Project 1: Training 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  Proposed project 1:  Training for Commercial Specialist in FCS 
procedures, applications and standards, including the new Client 
Tracking System (CTS).  The Commercial Specialist has already 
received training at Partnership Post in Stockholm, but post is 
looking into the possibility of a more comprehensive joint training 
with LES from other non-CS posts.  Post does not believe another 
training session with Stockholm CS staff is necessary at this time, 
but as new procedures are introduced with the roll-out of the 
State-Commerce MOU, we hope there will be an opportunity for the 
Commercial Specialist to participate in any regional program to 
receive training suggested by EEB/CBA or FCS. 
 
A) Justification: Post understands that the upcoming launch of the 
Commerce-State Post Partnership Program MOU for Fee Collection will 
require that the services provided by non-FCS posts meet all FCS 
standard requirements.  Post has had a successful partnership 
delivering services in conjunction with the Latvian AmCham, and more 
complete training in standards and the CTS system will allow the 
commercial specialist to assess the best method to deliver services 
going forward. 
 
B) Planning Milestones: 
 
March 2009:  BFIF money is awarded; 
 
April 2009-July 2009:  Post identifies potential sites for training 
together with regional posts and EEB/CBA, coordinates hotel and 
other logistic details; 
 
August 2009:  Economic/Commercial/EU FSN has received CTS training; 
 
September 2009: Post sends final BFIF report on performance 
metrics. 
 
C) Performance Metric: Use of revenue generated from new FCS tools 
and programs at post to provide better service to U.S. businesses in 
collaboration with the local AmCham. 
 
D) Estimated Costs:  Transportation: USD 1000, Hotel, 
Meals and Incidental Expenses: USD 900, Ground 
Transportation USD 100.  Total Requested: USD 2,000. 
 
E) Point of Contact:  Political/Economic Officer Matthew Stokes, 
phone: 371-6703-6287, fax: 371-6782-0047, email: 
stokesmr@state.gov. 
 
------------------- 
Project 2: Research 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  Proposed project 2:  Using as a model the well-received report 
developed by Embassy Vilnius using FY2008 BFIF funds, Embassy Riga 
would engage a local research organization to produce a report 
exploring the opportunities for U.S. companies in the energy sector, 
and particularly in renewable energy. 
 
A) Justification:  Post has identified the energy sector as one of 
the industries with continued potential for investment despite the 
economic difficulties facing Latvia. It is one of the industries for 
which we receive the greatest number of inquiries from both Latvian 
and American companies.  Furthermore, increasing energy security is 
a key policy goal in response to Latvia's current reliance on gas 
imports from Russia.  A well-produced research report could both 
focus attention on a sector with great potential and increase the 
Commercial Specialist's ability to respond to inquiries quickly and 
helpfully. 
 
B) Planning Milestones: 
 
March 2009:  BFIF money is awarded; 
 
April 2009:  Post selects firm to produce report. 
 
August 2009: Report finalized 
September 2009: Post sends final BFIF report on performance 
metrics. 
 
C) Performance Metric: Increase in number of inquiries on energy 
projects from U.S. companies; improved satisfaction in Embassy 
response to inquiries; eventual establishment of U.S.-led projects 
in the energy sector in Latvia. 
 
D) Estimated Costs:  Post requests $7,500 for this project. 
 
E) Leveraging of resources:  While there are not additional 
resources to use for this project, it would prove helpful in working 
toward both commercial and policy goals for Latvia. 
 
E) Point of Contact:  Political/Economic Officer Matthew Stokes, 
phone: 371-6703-6287, fax: 371-6782-0047, email: 
stokesmr@state.gov. 
 
LARSON