Can the embassy reimburse an employee for expenses incurred in attending the local American Chamber of Commerce meeting?
A – Representation funds may be used to pay for attendance at professional meetings, including meal costs, which are considered reasonable and customary expenses of such meetings, when a determination is made by the Chief of Mission or designated representative that an association or professional meeting be attended for representational purposes. Funds may not be used to pay for meals at professional meetings (consular, commercial or other associations) when the primary benefit is to the employee. Q – 3. The ambassador recently hosted a reception for a visiting Congressional Delegation. The other invitees were American business persons based in the country. The financial management officer has questioned the validity of the reimbursement claim because host country nationals were not included on the invitation list. Can post reimburse the ambassador for this claim? Yes. Reimbursement of representational events for members of the legislative and/or judicial branches of the United States
