VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNC #0416/01 1771246
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 261246Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9947
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0028

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000416 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/CBA (DENNIS A. WINSTEAD), EB/EX AND EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
 
TAGS: BEXP ABUD AMGT ETRD ECON EINV BTIO CY
 
SUBJECT: CYPRUS' BFIF FUND 2009. RESULTS FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
RIGHTS (IPR) SEMINARS AND THE CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR 
PARTICIPATION 
 
REF: NICOSIA 283 
NICOSIA 288 
 
¶1. Summary: Embassy Nicosia received USD 17,100 of Business 
Facilitation Incentive Funds (BFIF) to cover the costs of two 
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) seminars organized by the 
Economic/Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia in April 
and to subsidize U.S.-made auto distributors' participation at the 
34th Cyprus International Trade Fair in May.  (Copies of invoices, 
payment vouchers and expenses will be faxed separately to Gale 
Gray).   End Summary. 
 
¶2.  On April 9, 2009 more than 50 GOC officials and Cypriot business 
representatives discussed ways to improve local enforcement of 
intellectual property rights (IPR) at an all-day workshop organized 
by the Economic/Commercial section (Economic Specialist George 
Demetriou) and the Cyprus American Business Association.  (List of 
participants will be faxed separately to Gale Gray). International 
speakers included a U.S. Department of Justice speaker from Sofia, 
Bulgaria, and private sector representatives from the film, music, 
and satellite TV business from Brussels, London, and Athens, 
respectively.  Local speakers represented the Police and Ministry of 
Commerce as well as the software, merchandise and entertainment 
sectors.  The workshop resulted in specific recommendations on 
improving IPR legislation, as well as making the best use of 
existing laws.  It also generated increased cooperation among 
Cypriot IPR enforcement authorities (Police, Customs, and the 
Ministry of Commerce) and investigated ways the private sector could 
do more to help itself. 
 
¶3. The total cost of the IPR seminar held on April 9, 2009 is 
detailed below: 
 
Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry charges for rental of 
premises and organization expenses: USD 645.99 (Euro 500, exchange 
rate used: 0.774) 
 
Total cost: USD 645.99 
 
¶4. On April 10, more than 70 Turkish Cypriot professionals from 
various sectors attended a seminar on how to improve IPR legislation 
and enforcement in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.  (List 
of participants will be faxed separately to Gale Gray) The seminar 
was co-sponsored by the Embassy and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of 
Commerce, which hosted the event.  The seminar generated a 
considerable amount of public awareness on the need for stronger IPR 
protection.  International speakers included a U.S. Department of 
Justice official and private sector representatives from the film, 
pharmaceuticals, and risk management sectors from Brussels, 
Istanbul, and London, respectively.  Local speakers represented the 
software and cinema sectors. 
 
¶5. The total cost of the IPR seminar held on April 10, 2009 is 
detailed below: 
 
Charges for two interpreters: USD 397.88 (Euro 300, exchange rate 
used: 0.754). 
 
Total cost: USD 397.88 
 
¶6. The total cost for both IPR seminars came to USD 1,043.87 out of 
USD 1,100 allocated for this purpose.  A balance of USD 56.13 
remains. 
 
¶7. BFIF provided Embassy Nicosia with USD 16,000 to subsidize 
U.S.-made auto distributors' participation at the 34th Cyprus 
International Trade Fair that was held from May 22 - 31, 2009. 
Through negotiations with the Cyprus State Fairs Authority (CSFA), 
Embassy Nicosia managed to secure 150m2 at a much lower cost than 
initially anticipated to provide a mass-market venue to U.S. auto 
manufacturers in an effort to assist them to promote their cars, 
even at this time of economic difficulty. Embassy Nicosia also 
received many catalogs from several States promoting travel to the 
U.S. and was able to secure an additional 9m2 to showcase them at no 
additional cost. 
 
¶8. A total of 14 Cypriot companies representing U.S. products 
participated in the U.S. Pavilion (Certified Trade Fair), including 
the auto distributors that we subsidized, and was organized by the 
Commercial Section of the Embassy (Commercial Assistant Anna 
Agrotou).  The Cyprus International Trade Fair is held annually, and 
is one of Cyprus' largest events showcasing a variety of products 
and attracts more than 80,000 visitors. 
 
¶9. Highlights included the inauguration ceremony by the President of 
Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, who was given a tour of our 
pavilion by Ambassador Urbancic. 
 
¶10. The Ambassador subsequently held a press conference at the U.S. 
pavilion, attended by all the main Cypriot media.  A reception was 
held as well, sponsored by the Embassy and the Cyprus-American 
Business Association (CyABA).  High-level Cypriot government 
officials, including the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, 
and well-known businesspeople attended the reception. 
 
¶11. All exhibitors were pleased with the sales leads they had from 
Fair visitors and expressed their intention to participate again 
next year.  The auto distributors informed us that they had a lot of 
interest during the Fair from potential clients. 
 
¶12. The total cost incurred for the Fair subsidization is detailed 
below: 
 
Booth construction expenses: USD 4,854.37 (Euro 3,500, exchange rate 
used 0.721). 
Rental of exhibition space from CSFA: USD 4,854.37 (Euro 3,500, 
exchange rate used 0.721). 
 
Total cost: USD 9,708.74 
 
¶13. Because Embassy Nicosia was able to negotiate a lower price for 
the Fair subsidy, it has a remaining balance of USD 6,347.39 out of 
the USD 17,100 total that was provided by BFIF.  As agreed with 
EB/CBA, Embassy Nicosia will use this balance to cover the costs of 
a Commercial Section visit to Washington D.C. September 9 - 11, 2009 
for meetings and consultations with the Department of Commerce and 
the Department of State to cover issues related to the signing of 
the MOU between State and Commerce. 
 
¶14. If you wish to receive more information on any of the above 
mentioned projects, please contact Ms. Ephie-Yvonnie Charalambidou 
in the Commercial Section at charalambidouey@state.gov or at 
+357-22-393362. 
 
¶15. The Economic/Commercial Officer at Post is Mr. James A. Carouso. 
 Email: carousoja@state.gov or tel.: +357-22-393359. 
 
 
URBANCIC