[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 71 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17969-17970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8862]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Secretarial Business Development Mission to Mexico, June 17-20, 
2002

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice to announce secretary Evans' business development 
mission to Mexico during June 17-20, 2002.

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SUMMARY: Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level 
business development mission to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico, on 
June 17-20, 2002. The focus of the mission will be to help U.S. 
companies explore business opportunities in Mexico. The delegation will 
include approximately 15 U.S.-based senior executives of small, medium 
and large U.S. firms representing, but not limited to, technology, 
equipment, and services in the following key growth sectors: energy and 
energy efficiency, environmental and water resources, information 
technology, telecommunications, transportation, medical and 
manufacturing. These key sectors reflect Mexico's infrastructure needs, 
the growth of a consumer society, and the boom in manufacturing created 
by NAFTA and proximity to the U.S.

DATES: Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business 
Liaison by May 1, 2002. Applications received after that date will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Business Liaison; Room 5062; 
Department of Commerce; Washington, DC 20230; Tel: (202) 482-1360; Fax: 
(202) 482-4054.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Secretarial Business Development Mission to Mexico

June 17-20, 2002.

Mission Statement

I. Description of the Mission

    Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level 
business development mission to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico.
    The focus of the mission will be to help U.S. companies explore 
business opportunities in Mexico. The delegation will include 
approximately 15 U.S.-based senior executives of small, medium and 
large U.S. firms representing, but not limited to, technology, 
equipment, and services in the following key growth sectors: energy and 
energy efficiency, environmental and water resources, information 
technology, telecommunications, transportation, medical, and 
manufacturing. These key sectors reflect Mexico's infrastructure needs, 
the growth of a consumer society, and the boom in manufacturing created 
by NAFTA and proximity to the U.S. market.

II. Commercial Setting for the Mission

    Mexico is the second largest export market for the United States 
after Canada. U.S. exports to Mexico totaled $102 billion in 2001, with 
substantial sales in virtually every product sector in which the United 
States is globally competitive. U.S. exports to Mexico have registered 
annual growth of more than ten percent in five of the last six years, 
peaking in 2000 with a 28 percent increase. Although the Mexican 
economy cooled in tandem with the United States economy during 2001, 
prospects are favorable for a renewal in growth in the latter half of 
2002.
    Mexico recently obtained ``investment grade'' status for its public 
debt from both Moody's and Standard and Poor's, a reflection of the 
country's sound economic fundamentals and stable macroeconomic policy.

III. Goals for the Mission

    The mission aims to further both U.S. commercial policy objectives 
and advance specific business interests. It is intended to:
     Assist individual U.S. companies to pursue export and 
other new business opportunities in Mexico, by introducing them to key 
host government decision-making officials and to potential business 
partners;
     Assist new-to-market firms to evaluate the market 
potential for their products and gain an understanding of how to 
operate successfully in Mexico's commercial environment; and
     Enhance the dialogue between government and industry on 
issues affecting the development of U.S.-Mexican commercial relations.
     Emphasize the benefits of international trade for 
improving the standard of living and quality of life for all mankind.
     Highlight examples of the corporate citizenship and active 
involvement by U.S. businesses in the communities where they operate in 
the United States and abroad.

IV. Scenario for the Mission

    The Business Development Mission will provide participants with 
exposure to high-level business and government contacts, and an 
understanding of market trends and the commercial environment. American 
Embassy officials will provide a detailed briefing on the economic, 
commercial, and political climate, and participants will receive 
individual counseling on their specific interests from U.S. Commercial 
Service industry specialists. Meetings will be arranged as appropriate 
with senior government officials and potential business partners. 
Representational events will also be organized to provide mission 
participants with opportunities to meet Mexico's business and 
government representatives, as well as U.S. business people living and 
working in Mexico.
    The tentative trip itinerary will be as follows:

June 17th--Arrive Mexico City
June 18th--One-on-One Business Meetings in Mexico City
June 19th--Travel to Monterrey, One-on-One Business Meetings in 
Monterrey
June 20th--One-on-One Business Meetings in Monterrey
June 21st--Optional spin-off trips to Guadalajara or Tijuana for 
further business meetings, at additional expense.

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 Department of Commerce web 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 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:

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     Consistency of the 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 
market opportunities in Mexico;
     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;
     Degree of company's commitment to corporate citizenship.
    An applicant's partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) are irrelevant to the selection process.

VI. Time Frame for Applications

    Applications for the trade mission to Mexico were made available on 
March 22, 2002. The fee to participate in the mission will be between 
$4,000-$6,000. Expenses for travel, lodging, and some meals 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 May 1, 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, DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482-1360, Fax: (202) 482-
4054.
    Mission Web Site: http://www.doc.gov/mexicotrademission.

    Dated: April 8, 2002.
Laron Jensen,
Acting Deputy Director General.
[FR Doc. 02-8862 Filed 4-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P