[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 89 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25566-25567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10418]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Textile, Furniture, and Modular Housing Trade Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice to announce textile, furniture, and modular housing 
trade mission, Amman, Jordan, May 23-24, 2004.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), of the 
International Trade Administration, United States Department of 
Commerce (USDOC), will sponsor a trade mission to Jordan for technical, 
industrial, contract and hospitality fabrics, furniture, and modular 
housing. The mission will include a Commerce staff member from OTEXA, 
and representatives from U.S. industry interested in selling their 
products in Jordan and Iraq.

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:

Textile, Furniture, and Modular Housing Trade Mission Amman, Jordan--
May 23-24, 2004

Mission Statement

I. Description of the Mission

    The Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), of the International 
Trade Administration, United States Department of Commerce (USDOC), 
will sponsor a trade mission to Jordan for technical, industrial, 
contract and hospitality fabrics, furniture, and modular housing. The 
mission will include a Commerce staff member from OTEXA, and 
representatives from U.S. industry interested in selling their products 
in Jordan and Iraq.
    U.S. suppliers are internationally recognized for high quality 
products in technical, industrial, contract and hospitality fabric, 
furniture, and modular housing. These highly engineered products will 
be used in ongoing and planned commercial and industrial projects 
throughout Jordan and Iraq. Iraqi buyers will be invited to Amman, 
Jordan for appointments with the mission participants.
    In addition there is a need for these products in order for the 
Iraqi government to build up their hospitality and commercial markets 
to accelerate infrastructure development, the spin off from the sale of 
such products provides jobs, training and state of the art material.
    Mission participants will meet with private sector developers, 
specifiers, and buyers of such products.

II. Commercial Setting for the Mission

    This is an opportunity for U.S. manufacturers and suppliers of 
technical and industrial fabrics, contract/hospitality fabrics, 
furniture, and modular housing to increase their sales and expand their 
customer base in relatively new markets for the United States. Rapid 
development throughout the Middle East and the rebuilding of Iraq's 
basic infrastructure are leading catalysts for a genuine ``boom'' in 
the Middle East. Jordan and Iraq are key markets in the Middle East 
that have seen an increase in commercial infrastructure resulting from 
improving economies and, in the case of Iraq, the need to rebuild 
housing, hospitality, institutional government, and other public and 
private sector projects. However, there are certain risks, which need 
to be evaluated and considered by each prospective participant. These 
risks are noted in the following sections.

III. Goals for the Mission

    The Mission will seek to promote exports of U.S. technical fabrics, 
contract/hospitality fabrics, furniture, and furnishings to Jordan, 
Iraq and other countries in the region, and to secure representation 
agreements for mission members with pre-screened agents and 
distributors.\*\ This unique opportunity will also give mission 
participants the opportunity to conduct market research, and evaluate 
market opportunities in this region.
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    \*\ Due to the security condition in Iraq the Department of 
Commerce cannot guarantee the attendance of the invited participants 
from Iraq.
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IV. Scenario for the Mission

    Ten companies are expected to participate in this mission. The 
Department of Commerce reserves the right to adjust this number due to 
market or logistical constraints.
    Matchmaking appointments will take place in Amman, Jordan. Mission 
participants will meet individually by appointment with pre-screened 
buyers, agents, and distributors. The Department will make every effort 
to

[[Page 25567]]

schedule appropriate appointments with each mission participant. There 
will be a mission briefing for participants on local market conditions 
and selling opportunities.
    We anticipate that the mission cost will be approximately $2,900 
per company, excluding travel, hotel accommodation, ground 
transportation and meals.
Timetable
    The Mission is scheduled to occur May 23-24, 2004.
    Participants are scheduled to arrive in Amman, Jordan on May 22, 
2004. On Sunday, May 23, 2004, following set-up and a briefing, 
appointments will be scheduled from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. On Sunday evening, 
May 22, 2004, a reception is tentatively scheduled from 7-9 p.m. at the 
mission site. On Monday, May 24, 2004, appointments will be scheduled 
from 9-6 p.m. On Monday, May 24, 2004, following the last appointment 
the Mission will conclude.
    Members will depart individually from the mission on Thursday, May 
25, 2004.
    Recruitment will begin immediately and will conclude on May 14, 
2004. For logistical and security reasons, applications received after 
the deadline will not be considered.

V. Criteria for Participant Selection

     Relevance of a company's product line to mission goals.
     Timeliness of signed application and participation 
agreement by company.
     Maximum of 10 companies on the mission.
     Potential for business in the Middle East.
    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Internet, 
press releases to the general and trade media, direct mail and fax, 
notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and 
industry meetings, conferences, trade shows, etc.
    A company's products must be either manufactured or produced in the 
United States. If manufactured or produced outside the United States, 
each product displayed must be 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 product.
    Any partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection 
process.
    Contact: Mary Lynn Landgraf at (202) 482-7909, [email protected] or Lawrence Brill at (202) 482-1856, [email protected].
    Or mail to: U.S. Department of Commerce/OTEXA, 1401 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Room 3100, Washington, DC 20230.

    Dated: April 27, 2004.
John Klingelhut,
Senior Advisor, Export Promotion Services.
[FR Doc. 04-10418 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P