[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38409-38411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 9907021819181-01]


International Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY 2001 International 
Buyer Program (October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001).

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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), to support domestic trade shows. 
Selection is for the International Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 2001.
    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 such as export counseling and market analysis to U.S. 
companies interested in exporting. The assistance provided to show 
organizers includes worldwide overseas promotion of selected shows to 
potential international buyers, end-

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users, representatives and distributors. The worldwide promotion is 
executed through the offices of the United States and Foreign 
Commercial Service (hereinafter referred to as the Commercial Service) 
in 70 countries representing America's major trading partners, and also 
in U.S. Embassies in countries where the Commercial Service does not 
maintain offices. The Department expects to select approximately 24 
shows for FY2001 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 
an 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 are agreed to be performed 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.

DATES: Applications must be received within August 30, 1999. 
Contributions are for shows selected and promoted during the October 1, 
2000 and September 30, 2001, period.

ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/International Buyer Program, 
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. 
Telephone: (202) 482-0146 (Facsimile applications will not be 
accepted).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 & Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230. Telephone (202) 482-0146 or Fax: (202) 482-0115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Service is accepting 
applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for events 
taking place between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001. A 
contribution of $6,000 for shows of five days or less, or $8,000 for 
shows more than five days in duration, or requiring more than one 
International Business Center is required for the shows selected.
    Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring together 
international buyers 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 Commercial Service will select approximately 24 events to 
support between October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. The 
Commercial Service will select those events that, in its judgment, most 
clearly meet the Commercial Service's objective and selection criteria 
mentioned below.
    The Department selects events which it determines 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 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 or horizontal (non-industry specific) events. 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 1999 and 2000 
are not eligible for inclusion in this program in fiscal year 2001, but 
can be considered in subsequent years.).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    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. 2501 et. 
seq.) (OMB control no. 0625-0151).
    General Selection Criteria: 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 and corresponds to marketing 
opportunities as identified by the posts in their Country Commercial 
Guides (e.g. best prospect 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 United States businesses, as defined in 15 
U.S.C. 4724, 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 a 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 (see For Further Information on 
When, Where, and How to apply). Past experience in the IBP will be 
taken into account in evaluating current applications to the program.

    Legal Authority: The Commercial Service has the legal authority 
to enter into the

[[Page 38411]]

above-mentioned memorandum of understanding with the show organizer 
under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange 
Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2455(f)). The statutory authority 
for the Commercial Service to conduct the International Buyer 
Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
John Klingelhut,
Director, Office of Public/Private Initiatives, The Commercial Service, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 99-18213 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P