[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8939-8941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4670]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Secretarial Business Development Mission to China, April 21-25,
2002
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice to announce Secretary Evans' business development
mission to China during April 21-25, 2002.
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SUMMARY: Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level
business development mission to Beijing and Shanghai, China, on April
21-25, 2002, in conjunction with the 14th session of the U.S.-China
Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held in Beijing the
week of
[[Page 8940]]
April 21, 2002. The focus of the mission will be to help U.S.
businesses explore trade and investment opportunities resulting from
China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and related
economic changes. The delegation will include approximately 15 U.S.-
based senior executives of small, medium and large U.S. firms
representing, but not limited to, the following key growth sectors:
information technology, telecommunications, clean energy and
environmental technology, medical products, and construction equipment
and services.
DATES: Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business
Liaison by March 15, 2002. Applications received after that date will
be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
CONTACT: Office of Business Liaison; Room 5062; Department of
Commerce; Washington, D.C. 20230; Tel: (202) 482-1360; Fax: (202) 482-
4054
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Secretarial Business Development Mission to China
April 21-25, 2002.
Mission Statement
I. Description of the Mission
Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level
business development mission to Beijing and Shanghai, China, on April
21-25, 2002, in conjunction with the 14th session of the U.S.-China
Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held in Beijing the
week of April 21, 2002. The focus of the mission will be to help U.S.
businesses explore trade and investment opportunities resulting from
China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and related
economic changes. The delegation will include approximately 15 U.S.-
based senior executives of small, medium and large U.S. firms
representing, but not limited to, the following key growth sectors:
information technology, telecommunications, clean energy and
environmental technology, medical products, and construction equipment
and services.
The business development mission will highlight the expanding U.S.-
China economic and trade relationship as well as reaffirm U.S.
Government support of China's economic reforms and free market growth
resulting from China's WTO accession.
II. Commercial Setting for the Mission
China is the world's fifth largest trading entity after the United
States, the European Union, Japan, and Canada. Chinese officials in
mid-January of 2002 announced that the economy grew 7.3 percent in
2001, while direct foreign investment last year reached a record $46.84
billion. In great part due to strong increases in U.S. exports to
China, bilateral trade was over $5 billion higher during the first
eleven months of 2001 than in 2000. U.S. merchandise exports to China
are expected to have approached $20 billion in 2001, an increase of
roughly 20 percent over 2000.
China's accession to the WTO is expected to increase U.S.-China
trade. New opportunities for U.S. exporters have been created, while a
more predictable environment for trade and investment can also be
expected. As part of its WTO accession agreement, China is committed to
begin a phased opening of its large telecommunications services markets
to foreign participation. In addition, increasing demand for computers
and other high technology products and services is creating new
opportunities for U.S. companies in the information technology (IT)
market. China's market for IT hardware, software, and services is
expected to grow to $50 billion by 2005 from over $21 billion in 2001.
China's WTO commitments also are anticipated to open important new
business opportunities for companies in China's medical and healthcare
products sector.
China's commitment to environmental protection as a national
priority is driving demand for clean energy and other environmental
technologies. Clean coal technology, air and water resource management
and monitoring, and pollution prevention and control equipment
represent several promising areas within these new growth markets.
Substantial new demand for construction of housing and other
infrastructure projects is also expected in coming years, particularly
in light of the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The
importance of the Olympics for business opportunities over the next
several years will resonate throughout multiple sectors of the Chinese
market.
III. Goals for the Mission
The mission aims to further both U.S. commercial policy objectives
and advance specific business interests. The mission will:
Assist U.S. companies to pursue export and other new
business opportunities in China by introducing them to key host
government decision-making officials and to potential business
partners;
Assist new-to-market firms to gain access to the Chinese
market and to promote new business for U.S. companies already operating
in China's changing market; and
Enhance U.S.-China government-industry dialogue.
IV. Scenario for the Mission
The Business Development Mission will provide participants with
exposure to high-level contacts and access to the Chinese market.
American Embassy officials and local U.S. businesses will provide a
detailed briefing on the economic, commercial and political climate,
and current business opportunities. Meetings will be arranged with
appropriate government ministers and other senior government officials.
In addition, private meetings will be scheduled with potential business
partners. Representational events will also be organized to provide
mission participants with opportunities to meet China's business and
government representatives as well as U.S. business people living and
working in China.
Under JCCT auspices, Secretary Evans will meet with his trade
counterparts and other senior government officials to encourage market
reforms beneficial to the U.S. private sector and discuss various
issues of interest and concern. The Secretary will also meet with
resident American business representatives.
The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration
will provide logistical support for these activities.
V. Criteria for Participant Selection
The recruitment and selection of private sector participants for
this mission will be conducted according to the ``Statement of Policy
Governing Department of Commerce-Overseas Trade Missions'' established
in March 1997. Promotion and recruitment will include, but not be
limited to, posting on appropriate Departmental home pages,
notification in the Federal Register, and through distribution of the
trade mission statement and further information to national and other
trade associations and trade publications. Approximately 15 companies
will be selected for the mission. Companies will be selected according
to the criteria set out below.
Eligibility
Participating companies must be incorporated in the United States.
A company is eligible to participate only if the products and/or
services that it will promote (a) are manufactured or produced in the
United States; or (b) if
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manufactured or produced outside the United States, are marketed under
the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51
percent of the value of the finished good or service.
Selection Criteria
Companies will be selected for participation in the mission on the
basis of:
Consistency of company's goals with the scope and desired
outcome of the mission as described herein;
Relevance of a company's business and product line to the
identified growth sectors;
Seniority of the representative of the designated company;
Past, present, or prospective international business
activity;
Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics,
and traditional under-representation in business.
An applicant's partisan, political activities (including political
contributions) are irrelevant to the selection process.
VI. Time Frame for Applications
Applications for the China Business Development mission will be
made available on or about February 22, 2002. The fee to participate in
this mission has not yet been determined, but will be approximately
$6,000-$8,000. The fees will not cover travel or lodging expenses,
which will be the responsibility of each participant. For additional
information on the trade mission or to obtain an application, contact
the Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison at 202-482-1360.
Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business Liaison by
March 15, 2002, in order to ensure sufficient time to obtain in-country
appointments for applicants selected to participate in the mission.
Applications received after that date will be considered only if space
and scheduling constraints permit. Contact: Office of Business Liaison,
Room 5062, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230, Tel: (202)
482-1360, Fax: (202) 482-4054, Mission Web Site: http://www.doc.gov/chinatrademission.
Dated: February 22, 2002.
Linda M. Conlin,
Assistant Secretary for Trade Development.
[FR Doc. 02-4670 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P