[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13199]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 31, 1994]


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Part IV





Department of Commerce





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International Trade Administration



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Foreign Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

 
Foreign Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY96 Foreign Buyer 
Program (October 1, 1995, through September 30, 1996).

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application 
review criteria associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Foreign Buyer Program (FBP) to support domestic trade shows: Selection 
in the Foreign Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 1996.
    The Foreign Buyer Program was established to bring international 
buyers together with U.S. firms by promoting leading U.S. trade shows 
in industries with high export potential. The Foreign Buyer Program 
emphasizes cooperation between the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) 
and trade show organizers to benefit U.S. firms exhibiting at selected 
events and provides practical, hands-on assistance to U.S. companies 
interested in exporting such as export counseling and market analysis. 
The assistance provided to show organizers includes worldwide overseas 
promotion of selected shows to potential international buyers, end-
users, representatives and distributors. The worldwide promotion is 
executed through the offices of the Commerce Department's U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) in 69 countries representing 
America's major trading partners, and also in U.S. Embassies in 
countries where the US&FCS does not maintain offices. The Department 
annually selects 22 trade shows from among applicants to the program. 
Shows selected for the Foreign Buyer Program will provide a venue for 
U.S. companies interested in expanding their sales into international 
markets. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets forth the specific actions 
to be performed by the show organizer and the DOC. The MOU constitutes 
an agreement between the DOC and the show organizer specifying services 
to be rendered by DOC as part of the FBP and responsibilities assumed 
by the show organizer. Anyone wishing to apply will be sent a copy of 
the MOU along with the application package. The services to be rendered 
by DOC will be carried out by the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service 
unless otherwise indicated.

DATES: Applications must be received by July 15, 1994. A contribution 
of $4,000 for shows of 5 days or less in duration is required. For 
shows over five days in duration a contribution of $6,000 is required. 
Contributions are for shows selected and promoted during the October 1, 
1995, and September 30, 1996, period.

ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/Foreign Buyer Program, U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS), International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, room 2116, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Tel.: (202) 482-0481 
(facsimile applications will not be accepted).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO APPLY: Contact Bill 
Crawford, Product Manager, Foreign Buyer Program, room 2116, Export 
Promotion Services, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Tel: (202) 482-0481 or 
FAX: (202) 482-0115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Trade Administration (ITA) 
of the U.S. Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the 
Foreign Buyer Program (FBP) for events taking place between October 1, 
1995, and September 30, 1996.
    Under the FBP, the Department seeks to bring international buyers 
together with U.S. firms by selecting and promoting in international 
markets domestic trade shows in industries with high export potential. 
Selection of a trade show is one-time, i.e., a trade show organizer 
seeking selection for a recurring event must submit a new application 
for selection for each occurrence of the event. If the event occurs 
more than once in the 12 month period covering this announcement, the 
trade show organizer must submit a separate application for each event.
    The Department will select 22 events to support during this 12 
month period. The Department will select those events that, in its 
judgment, most clearly meet the Department's objectives and selection 
criteria.
    Selection indicates that the Department has found the event to be a 
leading international trade show appropriate for participation by U.S. 
exporting firms and promotion in overseas markets by U.S. Embassies and 
Consulates. Selection does not constitute a guarantee by the U.S. 
Government of success of the show or of the undertakings or obligations 
of the show organizer. Selection is not an endorsement of the show 
organizer except as to its Foreign Buyer activities. Non-selection 
should not be viewed as a finding that the event will not be successful 
in the promotion of U.S. exports.
    Exclusions: Trade shows will not be considered that are either 
first time events or are horizontal, that is, not industry specific. 
Annual trade shows will not be selected for this program more than 
twice in any three year period (e.g., shows selected for fiscal years 
1994 and 1995 are not eligible for inclusion in this program in fiscal 
year 1996, but can be considered in subsequent years).
    The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements of the application to this program under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. 
seq.) (OMB control no. 0625-0151).
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 3 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to Reports Clearance Officer, 
International Trade Administration, room 4001, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230 and to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork 
Reduction Project (0625-0151), Washington, DC 20503.
    General Selection Criteria: Subject to Departmental budget and 
resource constraints, those events will be selected that, in the 
judgment of the Department, most clearly meet the following criteria:
    (a) Export Potential: The products and services to be promoted at 
the trade show are from U.S. industries that have high export 
potential, as determined by U.S. Department of Commerce sources, i.e., 
best prospects lists and U.S. export statistics. (Certain industries 
are rated as priorities by our domestic and international commercial 
officers in their Country Commercial Guides.)
    (b) International Interest: The trade show meets the needs of a 
significant number of overseas markets covered by the US&FCS and 
corresponds to marketing opportunities as identified by the posts in 
their Country Commercial Guides (e.g. best prospects lists). Previous 
international attendance at the show may be used as an indicator.
    (c) Scope of the Show: The trade show offers a broad spectrum of 
U.S. made products and/or services for the subject industry. Trade 
shows with a majority of U.S. firms will be given preference.
    (d) Stature of the Show: The trade show is clearly recognized by 
the industry it covers as a leading event for the promotion of that 
industry's products and services both domestically and internationally 
and as a showplace for the latest technology or techniques in that 
industry.
    (e) Exhibitor Interest: There is demonstrated interest on the part 
of U.S. exhibitors in receiving international business visitors during 
the trade show. A significant number of these exhibitors should be new-
to-export or seeking to expand sales into additional international 
markets.
    (f) Overseas Marketing: There has been demonstrated effort made to 
market prior shows overseas. In addition, the applicant should describe 
in detail the international marketing program to be conducted for the 
event, explaining how efforts should increase individual and group 
international attendance.
    (g) Logistics: The trade show site, facilities, transportation 
services and availability of accommodations are in the stature of an 
international-class trade show.
    (h) Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates willingness to 
cooperate with the US&FCS to fulfill the program's goals and to adhere 
to target dates set out in the Memorandum of Understanding and the 
event timetable, both of which are available from the program office 
(see ``For Further Information on When, Where, and How to Apply'').
    Past experience in the FBP will be taken into account in evaluating 
current applications to the program.

    Authority: The statutory authority authorizing the Department to 
provide the type of assistance contemplated under the Foreign Buyer 
Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
Ann H. Watts,
Director, Cooperative Events Division, Office of Export Marketing 
Programs, Export Promotion Services, U.S. and Foreign Commercial 
Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 94-13199 Filed 5-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P