Cablegate: Application for Opic Finance: Summit Associates Afghanistan

VZCZCXRO6087
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHBUL #0222 0240342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240342Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4900
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC 0967
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC

UNCLAS KABUL 000222

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USTR FOR DELANEY AND DEANGELIS
DEPT PASS OPIC FOR GORAVANCHI AND KENNERLY
DEPT PASS TDA FOR STEIN AND GREENIP
TREASURY FOR LMCDONALD, ABAUKOL, BDAHL, AND MNUGENT
OSD FOR SHIVERS
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN AF
SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: SUMMIT ASSOCIATES AFGHANISTAN
PHASE II

REF: State 1390

1. This message responds to reftel request for Embassy input on
potential OPIC financing to Summit Associates Afghanistan, to
support the expansion of its dairy operations with a 5000MT
multi-purpose storage facility in Kabul and a 2000MT dry storage
warehouse in Kunduz. Both units will store finished milk and juice
products destined for the Afghan consumer market.

2. According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, the
Dairy Field Manager at the National Food and Agriculture
Organization, and our own informal local market survey, there is and
will continue to be a great demand for domestically produced dairy
products in Afghanistan. Summit is currently the only large-scale
producer of UHT milk in the country.

3. Summit Associates and its U.S. sponsor, Mr. Reha Celikay, are
favorably known to State officers at post. Embassy Kabul has no
adverse information on Summit Associates or Mr. Celikay, with
respect to potential ties to terrorism, money laundering,
corruption, violations of law, or any other commercial and financial
considerations. We recommend the expansion proposal be given
serious consideration in light of its positive impact on Afghan
employment and the supply of more nutritious, vitamin-fortified milk
to the country's children.

EIKENBERRY

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