[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