US embassy cable - 05DHAKA539

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000539 
 
SIPDIS 
 
COMMERCE FOR DOUGLAS SHUSTER 
COMMERCE FOR STACEY CHOW 
COMMERCE FOR PAUL MARIN 
COMMERCE FOR BRYAN LOPP 
COMMERCE FOR ADINA ADLER 
DEPT FOR EB - DENNIS WINSTEAD 
DEPT FOR SA/PB, SA/PPD, NEA/SA/EX 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, BEXP, ECON, BG 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ROAD SHOW 
 
REF: A. DENNIS WINSTEAD'S EMAILS DEC 10-JAN 15 
     B. USTDA EMAILS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS NOV 04 - FEB 
     C. NAZIMA RAZICK'S EMAILS NOV 11-FEB 1 
 
1.  This is an action cable.  Please see para 2 and 12 for 
requested action. 
 
2.  Summary and Action Request: Post has been working with 
the BDG to plan and organize a series of trade shows and 
seminars in US cities to promote Bangladesh as a potential US 
investment destination and to promote trade relations between 
the two countries.  This series of events, entitled the 
Bangladesh Road Show, is to take place in early May in 
Houston, St. Louis, and Baltimore.  This Show will benefit US 
exporters and investors by creating linkages between BD 
buyers and US exporters and investors; while improving US-BD 
political and economic relations.  Post and the BDG are in 
the budgeting and funding stages.  Post estimates USG funding 
requirements will be $150,000.  Post requests official 
confirmation of funding and coordination support from DOC and 
State for the Road Show that has been informally discussed 
through ref email communications for the past several months. 
End Summary. 
 
CONCEPT 
-------- 
3.  The Bangladesh Road Show is an initiative of the 
Ambassador designed to showcase and facilitate bilateral 
trade in sectors in which BD has export potential and in 
which there is US investor and export/import interest.  The 
sectors that post identified are ceramics, energy, 
infrastructure, seafood, agricultural products, 
manufacturing, specialized textiles, etc.  This is to 
encourage diversification of the Bangladesh economy in the 
post-MFA environment away from its heavy reliance on the 
garment sector.  The BD Road Show will include delegates from 
the BDG and key BD private sectors.  The delegation will 
travel to Houston, St. Louis, and Baltimore.  The two-day 
events in each city will include trade fairs and seminars. 
The trade fairs will showcase BD and US products from key 
sectors that are of interest to both sides.  The seminars 
would include speakers from the USG, BDG, US private sector 
and BD private sector on key governance issues and on 
business practices within sectors. 
 
SECTORS AND SITES 
------------------ 
4.  The BD Road Show is scheduled for May 2 - 13. The Road 
Show will start in Houston.  Houston serves as the focal 
point for the energy sector and cotton production.  Houston 
is home to large energy firms, a sector with tremendous 
potential in Bangladesh.  UNOCAL, one of the largest 
investors in BD, is headquartered there.  Infrastructure 
development could also be a focus as Texas is home to the 
largest construction firms.  Cotton, grown in Texas, is the 
biggest US export to BD.  Houston is also a popular 
settlement city for Bangladeshi immigrants.  Banks and USG 
officials may talk about proper transfer of funds to address 
security concerns associated with improper methods of 
remittance outflow. 
 
5.  St. Louis is the next stop for the Show.  St. Louis 
offers the middle America perspective.  It also serves as the 
center for agricultural production, a major area of export 
for the US.  Cotton, soybean, and wheat are major exports 
from this area.  With many larger retailers, like Walmart, 
headquartered in and around this region, this portion of the 
show would highlight BD textiles, ceramics, jute products, 
leather goods etc. 
 
6.  Baltimore would be the last site for the delegation. 
Baltimore was chosen because of its proximity to Washington 
and the East Coast.  Frozen seafood is a growing export 
sector for BD.  Baltimore has several manufacturing companies 
that specialize in processing seafood, poultry processing, 
freezing and manufacturing equipment, etc.  Water treatment 
and port facilities could also be other highlights here. 
 
BUDGET AND FUNDING 
------------------- 
 
7.  Based on budgeting information from USTDA and private 
sector event consultants, the Road Show costs are projected 
at $300,000.  This would include travel and accommodations 
for 25 delegates, event planning and coordination costs for 
two-day events in three cities, in-country travel, meals and 
incidentals, receptions and miscellaneous event costs.  Costs 
would also include press events and publicity.  The BDG and 
the BD private sector have committed to bear half the cost, 
including all travel and accommodation expenses for the 
delegates.  The BDG will also bear shipping costs for all 
trade promotion products and equipment for the trade fairs. 
 
8.  BD and US corporations have shown interest in sponsoring 
receptions, seminars, dinners, etc., as needed for the Road 
Show.  Corporate support will depend on logistical needs and 
funding requirements.  Corporations have also offered to 
support publicity efforts for the Road Show.  Per email 
communication with USTDA and EB, Post understands that USG 
trade promotion funds will be allocated through DOC and State 
to support, coordinate, and promote the Road Show.  At 
present, we estimate the USG will need to provide $150,000 in 
support of the Road Show in addition to Post funds already 
allocated for participation of Embassy Dhaka in the event. 
The estimated funding does not include costs associated with 
the travel of Washington-based USG officials to any of the 
event venues. 
 
BDG INVOLVEMENT 
---------------- 
9.  The Board of Investment (BOI), the BDG agency charged 
with BD promotion as an investment destination, is serving as 
the coordinating agency on the BDG side.  The BOI Executive 
Chairman, Mahmudur Rahman, with the approval of Prime 
Minister Zia, is the point of contact for BD. Mr. Rahman has 
been instrumental in identifying sectors of interest, key 
business leaders in each sector, identifying funding sources, 
etc.  BOI is coordinating the show with all the involved 
ministries and has taken the lead on controlling information. 
 The Ambassador and the DCM have discussed the Road Show with 
relevant ministries, including the Foreign Minister, the 
Finance Minister and the Commerce Minister.  The BDG has 
responded positively to the concept. 
 
PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT 
--------------------------- 
10.  We have discussed the Road Show with US and BD private 
sector firms in order to generate interest and support. 
Initial discussions have been positive, but to get concrete 
sponsorship commitments the show needs USG buy-in and 
commitment.  The BD private sector has committed to funding 
travel and lodging expenses for the delegation.  Venue and 
events funding will be contingent on corporate sponsorship 
and USG trade promotion funds. 
 
NEED FOR USG FUNDING ASSISTANCE 
-------------------------------- 
11.  Action Requested: Post requests State and DOC assistance 
to identify and coordinate USG funds (including funding from 
EB, USTDA, etc.) for the US trade promotion portion of the 
Road Show. In order to ensure success of this show, post 
requests USG trade promotion funds to facilitate US portion 
of the events.  Post welcomes any suggestions from State and 
DOC regarding additional sources of funding or coordination. 
THOMAS