How does a CEI economic development mission work? 

After CEI receives funding for a grant, CEI representatives visit the developing country with two major objectives: 

• To work with the funding agency to conduct a survey of industry, selecting the industry sectors to be covered by the program 

• To select an organization to assist in participant recruitment.  The applicants must be high-level officials and decision makers in their organizations.

For each selected industry sector, the program will last six to seven weeks and take place in three phases: selection and preparation, the economic development mission itself, and post-tour follow-up. 

Selection and preparation – 1 to 2 weeks

• During this period, applicants are introduced to the program and given information about the selection process, the operation of the economic development mission, and an overview of the industry in the U.S.  This will be followed by an interactive discussion involving other applicants, CEI staff, and others.  Selection interviews are then held and one of the program goals is to have as many as half female. The 16 successful applicants, plus alternates, are notified.

• Next, CEI prepares the selected participants for the program itself by providing additional in-depth information on the status of their industry in the U.S. through presentations, visuals, and case studies.  There are also introductions to modern concepts of management, organizational structures, marketing, technology and business planning.

 Economic development mission – 3 to 4 weeks

During this period the participant team visits 18-22 U.S. companies and industry-supporting institutions over a multi-state area within a three- or four-week period.  The Program Director selects organizations to visit after consultation with industry leaders in the developing country and the U.S., based on the identified needs in the developing country. 

Post-program follow-up – 1 to 2 weeks

After each program returns home and after an interval appropriate to the specific industry, CEI conducts a program of follow-up, consultation, and evaluation.  

• During this period, applicants are introduced to the program and

• Group sessions are conducted to discuss the tour, evaluate the lessons learned, answer questions, and evaluate the program’s impact.  Ideas introduced earlier are expanded to incorporate concepts learned during the mission.  CEI also encourages the formation of industry associations. 

• CEI personnel are available to assist Individual enterprises and to assist them in planning and implementing changes.  Some program members may want to make changes but not know how to start.

• CEI then prepares a final report for the funding organization of the results of the overall economic development mission.

Costs covered while on a economic development mission

• Air transportation from the point of departure (usually the capital city) to Cincinnati, Ohio, and return

• Accident insurance coverage for each participants while in the U.S.

• Complimentary welcome packet

• $35/day per-diem to each participant for food, telephone, and incidental costs

• Complimentary telephone card

• Bus transportation to all host organizations and official functions (in the Eastern half of the U.S.)

• Hotel lodging with 2 persons per room.

• Program graduation: dinner and reception.

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