U.S. Department of Agricultural Affairs Office (USDA) in Jakarta is inviting you to participate in a special two weeks training program in the United States for Indonesian retailers, May 4-6, 2003. The Agricultural Trade Office will sponsor two Indonesians through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Program called the Cochran Middle Income Program. This program is designed around attending the 2003 Food Marketing Institute (FMI) U.S. Supermarket Industry Convention and Educational Exposition featuring the U.S. Food Export Showcase in Chicago, Illinois (please visit FMI Show for the most up to date information). This is the largest food show in the United States with over 400 exhibitors and a full educational seminar series.

Program Content

The training program detail and length are varies each year, tailored to the participants needs and interest. In general, the program last for one to two weeks including:

- Visit retail operations (regional chain & independently owned)

- Visit warehouse and distribution center

- Review e-business strategies and retail concepts

- Attending FMI Show, May 17-20, 2003 in Chicago

Program Time Line

For 2003, the program time line will be sometime in May, However, since the program is tailor made according to participants needs and interest, the exact date, venue, and duration will be determine after the final interview.

Conditions

- Participant must be a local citizen and not an expatriate or permanent resident of the country where this invitation is extended

- Participant must be an importer or come from a retail business

- Participant must be a managerial staff of a company and is directly involved in the day to day business in the production/purchasing and/or in quality assurance capacity (preferably Food and Beverage Manager)

- Participants must come from a company which has never sent their staff to the same Cochran Fellowship Program the previous year

- Participant must have a valid passport with more than 6 months validity and visa to visit United States

- While attending the training and the food products tour, the Cochran Middle Income Program will provide all food, lodging, training and in-country transportation. However, for the three days in Chicago, Participants must pay the lodging, food and exposition registration. In addition, participants are responsible for arranging and paying for the international ticket from Indonesia - United States (designated locations of training/departures) - Indonesia. Participants in-country travel will be arranged and paid for by the Cochran Program.

Requirements

Document to be submitted:

- Company profile

- Letter of intention and purposed training

- Completely filled applications

- Signed conditions of Training

- 2 Letter of Recommendation from 2 supervisors

- Copy of passport

- 2 recent photograph (4X6)

Eligible candidates must submit all required documentation no later than, January 1, 2003 to:

U.S. Agricultural Trade Office

Only two participants will be selected based on their application and interviews. A invitation letter will be sent out by U.S. Agricultural Trade Office Jakarta to a selected candidates. These candidates will then be interviewed twice for a final selection.