Cablegate: Manama's Request for Fy04 Bfif Funding

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000278

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EB/CBA: DWINSTEAD, EB/EX, NEA/ARP: PHEFFERNAN

CAIRO FOR STEVE BONDY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP BTIO EINV ETRD ABUD BA
SUBJECT: MANAMA'S REQUEST FOR FY04 BFIF FUNDING

REF: STATE 242589, 03 STATE 335536

1. SUMMARY: Manama requests USD 7000 in funding from the
FY04 Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF) to
establish and equip a resource center for a new chapter of
the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain. END SUMMARY.

2. BACKGROUND: In FY03, BFIF supported AmCham Bahrain
formation by funding visits from AmCham Cairo
representatives to Bahrain to discuss the purpose and
importance of an AmCham for the U.S. business community to
reinforce and coalesce increase interest in the formation of
an AmCham in Bahrain. Later, BFIF funded U.S. Chamber of
Commerce's John Howard's travel to Bahrain to work with a
core AmCham formation committee on by-laws and a business
plan for the group. In consultation with John Howard, these
documents have been revised. The formation committee is now
preparing translations of their by-laws and business plan to
present to the Government of Bahrain. Positive meetings
with the GOB, including those with the AmCham delegation
from Cairo as well as with John Howard, lead us to believe
that GOB accreditation will be unproblematic. The formation
committee anticipates presenting its credentials to the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce this spring, and to be up and running
soon thereafter.

3. With bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations
underway, U.S. business interest in Bahrain and Bahraini
business interest in the U.S. has increased. The
seriousness of this interest is substantiated by requests
for International Company Profiles (ICPs) and Gold Key
Service not seen in previous years at this embassy. A
bilateral Free Trade Agreement should push this trend. The
new AmCham could augment Embassy matchmaking efforts through
its own programs.

4. Post requests funding to establish and equip an American
Chamber of Commerce Resource Center in Bahrain. The
information-age Center could be a nexus for up-to-date
matchmaking information searches, market research and
industrial trends on a local and global level. To assure
that the AmCham is able to provide added value through
current information beyond what is readily available to the
average internet user, we are requesting an internet-ready
laptop computer and printer together with subscriptions to
online searchable data services. These resources will give
the members and visitors access to active tenders and
project details in addition to commercial and economic news
in the local, regional and global market. The laptop,
together with an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machine and
a projector can serve double duty, as AmCham office
equipment to prepare brochures and invitations, and to make
presentations designed to drive and inform membership. We
anticipate that these resources will contribute to making
the AmCham Resource Center a destination for the business
community in Bahrain.

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Specific Resource Requests:
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Hardware:
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HP Pavilion ze4510OM-B Laptop/ OfficeJet5510 Printer Bundle
Estimated Cost: USD 1,349.98
Source: Officemax.com
Website: www.officemax.com
Brief Description:

Computer: HP Pavilion ZE4510OM-B Notebook PC
Features:
Processor: Intelr Celeron processor 2.4GHz
Memory: 512MB, expandable to 1024MB
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP, 3D architecture
Video Memory: 64MB
Hard Drive: 40GB enhanced IDE drive
Multimedia Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo
Display: 15" XGA TFT (1024x768)
Ethernet: Integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN
(RJ-45 connector)
Modem: Integrated V.90/V.92 56KB modem
Audio: 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio;
Altec Lansing internal speakers
Pointing Device: Touch Pad with On/Off button
and dedicated Scroll Up/Down pad
Dimensions: 12.96"x10.72"x1.62"
Weight: 7.25 lbs.
Bundled printer: HP PSC 2175 All-In-One Machine

Printer/scanner/fax: HP OfficeJet5510 4-In-One Flatbed
Features:
Print speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color
Copy speed: 17 ppm black, 12 ppm color
Resolution: print up to 4800-optimized dpi color
and laser-quality black text
Scanning: Up to 600 x 2400 dpi optical resolution
and 36-bit color
Connectivity: USB ADF allows you to fax, scan or copy
up to 20 pages while you attend to other matters
Duty cycle: 1,000 pages per month
Operating systems: Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000
Professional, XP, Mac OS 9.1, OS X1
Year limited warranty

Printer Cable: Belkin USB Gold Cable
Estimated Cost: $ 30
Source: Officemax.com
Website: www.officemax.com

Projector:
HP Digital Projector SB21
Estimated cost: $1,699
Source: Officemax.com
Website: www.officemax.com
Features:
1,000 comparable lumens.
True SVGA (800 x 600 dpi) resolution.
1800:1 contrast ratio.
7.9" x 5.5" x 2.3" 2.2 lbs.
Wireless remote control with mouse functions
and laser pointer.

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Online reference resources:
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Dun and Bradstreet company information
Estimated Cost: USD 675.00 (one hundred reports at
USD 6.75 each--valid for one year
Source: Rime--a correspondent of Dun and Bradstreet
P.O. Box 54579
Office No. 11, Bldg 173, Road 327, Block 308
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: (973) 251150 / 251141
Fax: (973) 232994 / 231051
Brief description: Provides comprehensive company
analysis including credit history, marketing
strategies and purchasing decisions.

Trade Arabia
Estimated Cost: USD 400
Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group
P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain
Tel: 293131
Website: www.tradearabia.com
Brief description: Lists all active tenders, project
details, project news including breaking news and news
archives from all Arab and G.C.C. countries

Gulf Construction
Estimated cost: USD 95 per year (12 issues)
Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group
P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain
Tel: 293131
Website: www.gulfconstruction.com
Brief description: Current and archived news about the
construction sector

Gulf Industry Manufacturing and Trading (GI)
Estimated cost: USD 55.00 for two years
Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group
P.O. Box 224 Manama, Bahrain
Website: www.gulfindustryonline.com
Tel: 293131
Brief description: Industrialists, factory managers and
purchasing managers, government departments of trade
and industry, major distributors of industrial
products, Chambers of Commerce and embassies
internationally.

BMI Monthly Monitors: Middle East Monitor - The Gulf
Estimated cost: USD 490.000
Source: Business Monitor International
Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299
Website: http://www.economy.com/store/
Brief description: Monthly updates on major political,
economic and financial developments in emerging markets
worldwide. Systematic, country-by-country analyses of
recent and likely changes in political risk, economic
performance and prospects, industrial activity, finance
and the business environment.

Oil and Gas News Worldwide-weekly updates
Estimated cost: USD 695
Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group
PO Box 224 Manama Bahrain
Tel: 293131
Website: www.oilandgasnewsworldwide.com
Brief description: News and views, comment, analysis,
contracts, advance warning of tenders, pipeline
projects, technology, market analysis, oil stock prices
and futures, explorations and gas technology including
senior personnel in oil companies, drilling and
exploration contractors, technical supply and services,
surveyors and consultants, marine and offshore service
suppliers and government agencies.

Prcis State
Estimated Cost: USD 600.00
Annual subscription includes current report and two
updates.
Source: Economy.com
Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299
Website: www.economy.com
Description: Concise yet comprehensive research on the
current and expected economic conditions of the fifty
U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Five-year forecasts of
gross state product, employment, income, population,
housing activity, migration flows, vehicle
registrations, and personal bankruptcies, recent
economic performance and short- and long-term outlooks.

The Dismal Scientist
Estimated cost: USD 495
Source: Economy.com
Tel: 866-275-3266 or +1-610-235-5299
Website: http://www.economy.com/dismal/
Brief Description: Daily coverage of the
macroeconomic, industry, financial, and regional trends
that affect business and investment,
including analysis, special reports, and proprietary
tools. Real-time economic indicator coverage of over
180 economic indicators for 40 countries, the Euro
Zone, and the OECD.

5. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR ESTABLISHING AND EQUIPPING AN
AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOURCE CENTER: USD 6585, plus
shipping charges.

6. Post appreciates the opportunity to apply for BFIF
funding and thanks EB in advance for giving our proposal
your fullest consideration.
FORD

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