[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53337-53339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20697]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Secretarial Business Development Mission to Ghana and South 
Africa

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice to Announce Secretary Evans-Business Development Mission 
to Ghana and South Africa, November 12-15, 2002.

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SUMMARY: Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level 
business development mission to Accra, Ghana and Johannesburg, South 
Africa November 12-15, 2002. The delegation will include approximately 
15 U.S.-based senior executives of small, medium, and large U.S. firms 
representing a variety of business sectors but not limited to leading 
sectors for each country as listed below in Section II. These key 
sectors reflect Africa's infrastructure needs, the growth of consumer 
society, and the increase in manufacturing created by the Africa Growth 
and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

DATES: Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business 
Liaison by September 20, 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:   

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Secretarial Business Development Mission to Ghana and South Africa

November 12-15, 2002

Mission Statement

I. Description of the Mission

    Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level 
business development trade mission to Accra, Ghana and Johannesburg, 
South Africa November 12-15, 2002. The delegation will include 
approximately 15 U.S.-based senior executives of small, medium, and 
large U.S. firms representing a variety of business sectors but not 
limited to leading sectors for each country as listed below in Section 
II. These key sectors reflect Africa's infrastructure needs, the growth 
of a consumer society, and the increase in manufacturing created by the 
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
    The overall focus of the trip will be commercial opportunities for 
U.S. companies, including joint ventures, presented by the continuing 
market liberalization and privatization underway in these countries. In 
both Ghana and South Africa, briefings and one-on-one business 
appointments will be arranged for members of the business delegation. 
The participation fee for the trade mission will be between $6,000--
$8,000 per company.

II. Commercial Setting for the Mission

    Ghana: With the inauguration of the administration of President 
John Kufuor in December 2000, Ghana has become a West African leader in 
promoting economic reforms and establishing democratic institutions. 
President Kufuor has improved Ghana's economic situation through 
pragmatic policies aimed at political and economic stability, low 
inflation, and smaller fiscal deficits.
    Often referred to as the ``Gateway to Africa'', Ghana is moving 
towards becoming a hub for commercial activity in West Africa. The 
country should become a middle income country by 2020 with President 
Kufuor aiming to institute a ``Golden Age of Business'' in Ghana. With 
$200 million of U.S. merchandise exports in 2001, Ghana is one of 
America's largest markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the bilateral 
commercial relationship between the United States and Ghana is one of 
the most diverse in the region. Ghana is a beneficiary country under 
the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and its AGOA apparel 
eligibility provides a firm foundation for increased investment and 
stronger trade with the United States.
    The leading sectors for exports to Ghana include telecommunications 
equipment, computers and peripherals, pharmaceuticals, electrical power 
systems, construction and earth moving equipment, mining industry 
equipment, food processing and packaging equipment, and hotel/
restaurant equipment.
    Standard and Poor's, a reflection of the country's sound economic 
fundamentals and stable macroeconomic policy.
    South Africa: South Africa's pivotal, post-apartheid economic 
transformation remains sharply focused and widely respected 
internationally. Globalization is bringing with it new opportunities 
for expanded trade and investment. South Africa has been among Africa's 
leading beneficiaries under AGOA. The primary attraction for doing 
business in South Africa is the size and sophistication of the economy. 
South Africa accounts for more than 45% of Sub-Saharan Africa's Gross 
Domestic Product, and it is by far the United States' largest export 
market in Sub-Saharan Africa. U.S. exports to South Africa totaled $2.9 
billion last year, accounting for approximately 40% of total U.S. 
exports to the region. In 2001, real GDP growth was 2.2%. South 
Africa's single greatest challenge is to accelerate growth and 
transform the economy so prosperity may be shared widely. Across the 
country, there are about 900 U.S. firms doing business in South Africa, 
up from approximately 250 in the mid-1990s. The United States is the 
largest foreign investor in South Africa since 1994.
    The best sectors for exports to South Africa include 
telecommunications, information technology, transportation, energy and 
power generation, environmental technologies, security and safety 
equipment, health care products, earth moving equipment, mining 
industry equipment, food processing, packaging equipment, and 
cosmetics/hair care products.

III. Goals for the Mission

    The mission will further both U.S. commercial policy objectives and 
advance specific business interests. It is aimed at:
     Introducing American companies to Ghana and South Africa 
and promoting expanded commercial opportunities in these countries;
     Enhancing the dialogue between government and industry on 
issues affecting the development of U.S.-African commercial relations;
     Removing impediments to market access encountered by U.S. 
firms in Ghana and South Africa;
    Advocating for U.S. firms;
     Emphasizing the benefits of international trade for 
improving the standard of living and quality of life; and
     Highlighting 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 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 also will be 
organized to provide mission participants with opportunities to meet 
Ghana and South Africa's business and government representatives, as 
well as U.S. business people living and working in Africa.
    The tentative trip itinerary will be as follows:

November 12--Accra, Ghana
November 13--Accra, Ghana
November 14--Johannesburg, South Africa
November 15--Johannesburg, South Africa

    The Commerce Department's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service will 
provide logistical support for these activities at each stop.

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 (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmpol.html). Promotion and 
recruitment will include, but not be limited to, posting on appropriate 
Department of Commerce web pages, notification in the Federal Register, 
and 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

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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:
     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 
market opportunities in Ghana and South Africa;
     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 Ghana and South Africa will 
be made available beginning on Wednesday, August 7, 2002. The fee to 
participate in the mission will be between $6,000-$8,000 per company 
and will not cover travel or lodging expenses. Please note that this 
fee is subject to change due to the in-country travel requirements. 
Expenses for travel, lodging, and some meals will be the responsibility 
of each participant. As noted above, each participant must fund his/her 
own travel to Accra, Ghana, the starting point for the mission. 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 September 20, 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/africatrademission.

    Dated: August 9, 2002.
Maria Cino,
Assistant Secretary and Director General.
[FR Doc. 02-20697 Filed 8-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P