[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 110 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30286-30287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14033]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket Number 950531143-5143-01]


International Buyer Program (Formerly Known as the Foreign Buyer 
Program); Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY'97 International 
Buyer Program (October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997).

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application 
review criteria associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce's 
International Buyer Program (IBP), formerly known as the Foreign Buyer 
Program, to support domestic trade shows: Selection in the 
International Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 1997.
    The International 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 International 
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 Commercial Service of the United States of 
America (Commercial Service), formerly referred to as United States and 
Foreign Commercial Service, in 69 countries representing America's 
major trading partners, and also through U.S. Embassies in countries 
where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices. The Department 
expects to select approximately 22 shows for FY97 from among applicants 
to the program. Shows selected for the International 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 a participation agreement between the DOC and the show 
organizer specifying which services are to be rendered by DOC as part 
of the IBP and, in turn, what responsibilities must be 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 Commercial Service of the United States of 
America unless otherwise indicated.

DATES: Applications must be received within July 24, 1995. A 
contribution of $5,000 is required for each show selected by the IBP 
for inclusion in the FY97 program.

ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/International Buyer Program, 
Commercial Service of the United States of America, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2116, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. Telephone: (202) 
482-0481 (Facsimile applications will not be accepted.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Jim Boney, Product Manager, 
International 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, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20230. Telephone: (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 
International Buyer Program (IBP) for events taking place between 
October 1, 1996, and September 30, 1997.
    Under the IBP, 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 approximately 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 mentioned below.
    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 the show's success. Selection is not an endorsement of 
the show organizer except as to its International Buyer Program 
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 that are either first-time or horizontal (non-industry 
specific) events will not be considered. 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 1995 and 1996 are not eligible 
for inclusion in this program in fiscal year 1997, 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 approved for use through 10/31/97).

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: [[Page 30287]] 

(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 Commercial Service 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 services 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 
Commercial Service of the United States of America 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.
    Past experience in the IBP 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 International 
Buyer Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
John Klinglehut,
Acting Director, Office of Public/Private Initiatives, Commercial 
Service of the United States of America, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 95-14033 Filed 6-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-25-P