[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 160 (Friday, August 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47775-47777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13772]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Mission Statement; Secretarial Business Development Mission to 
China; November 13-17, 2006

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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I. Mission Description

    Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will lead a senior-level 
U.S. business delegation to Beijing and Shanghai, China, November 13-
17, 2006, to promote U.S. exports to China's leading industry sectors.
    The Mission will focus on assisting U.S. companies that are 
experienced exporters enter the Chinese market for the first time as 
well as assist U.S. companies operating in China increase their current 
level of exports. The Mission will help participating firms gain market 
information, make business and government contacts, solidify business 
strategies, and advance specific projects, all geared towards the goal 
of helping U.S. firms expand their exports to China. The Mission will 
include business-to-business matchmaking appointments with local 
companies, as well as meetings with key government officials, and 
American and local chambers of commerce. The Mission will additionally 
provide a platform for policy and commercial issues--including 
intellectual property rights protection, transparency, and rule-of-
law--that U.S. companies face in the Chinese market. The delegation 
will be

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comprised of U.S. firms representing a broad-cross section of U.S. 
industries with commercial interests in China.
    Senior representatives of the U.S. Trade Development Agency 
(USTDA), the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), and the U.S. Small 
Business Administration (SBA), will be invited to participate, to 
provide information and counseling on their programs as they relate to 
the Chinese market.

II. Commercial Setting

    China is the fastest-growing major market in the world. It is now 
the third-largest trading nation and America's third-largest trading 
partner. Total bilateral trade with the U.S. in 2005 was $243 billion. 
Total U.S. exports to China in 2005 were $41 billion, an increase of 19 
percent over 2004. Through May 2006, U.S. exports have grown 37 percent 
over the same period last year. As America's fourth-largest export 
market, China provides excellent opportunities for U.S. companies in a 
number of industries. For instance, China's telecommunications products 
and services import market is estimated to exceed $20 billion this 
year. Other strong industry import markets include a $10 billion market 
for semiconductor equipment, water and wastewater treatment market of 
$8 billion, a $7 billion market for automotive components, and a 
medical equipment market that will exceed $4 billion this year. In 
addition, as one of the world's major energy users, China's power 
generation equipment import market is expected to surpass $5 billion in 
2006. Other leading export sectors identified by the U.S. Embassy in 
China include, air traffic control, safety and security, mining, 
construction, education, and machinery.
    While many U.S. companies have been extremely successful in China, 
some have struggled or failed. Huge opportunities exist in China, but 
the business environment in the country remains difficult. Major 
challenges include intellectual property rights violations, a lack of 
transparency in rules and regulations, and inadequate rule-of-law. Some 
U.S. companies, especially small and medium-sized companies, 
underestimate the difficulty of entering and succeeding in this market. 
The Mission is designed to assist U.S. companies to identify the 
opportunities and address the challenges.

III. Mission Goals

    The Business Development Mission will assist U.S. businesses 
initiate or expand their exports to China's leading industry sectors by 
making business-to-business introductions, providing market access 
information, and providing access to government decision makers. The 
Mission aims to:
     Assist U.S. companies that are experienced exporters enter 
China for the first time;
     Assist U.S. companies already operating in China increase 
their business there;
     Address obstacles to trade with China, including 
transparency, intellectual property rights protection, and rule of law;
     Provide information on U.S. Government trade financing 
programs, through the inclusion of representatives from USTDA, Ex-Im 
and SBA.

IV. Mission Scenario

    The Business Development Mission to China will include stops in 
Beijing and Shanghai. In each city, participants will:
     Meet with potential buyers, agents/distributors and 
partners;
     Meet with high-level government officials; and
     Attend briefings conducted by embassy officials on the 
economic and commercial climates.
    Receptions and other business events will be organized to provide 
mission participants with further opportunities to speak with local 
business and government representatives, as well as U.S. business 
executives living and working in the region.

V. Timetable

November 12-17, 2006

    Nov 12: Arrive Beijing.
    Nov 13: Briefing on market conditions by U.S. Government officials. 
Briefing by AmCham members and official meetings.
    Nov 14: Matchmaking with local companies and official meetings. 
Reception hosted by Ambassador.
    Nov 15: Travel to Shanghai. Briefing on market conditions by U.S. 
Government officials and AmCham members. Official meetings.
    Nov 16: Matchmaking with local companies. Reception hosted by 
Consul General.
    Nov 17: Mission concludes.

VI. Criteria for Participants' Selection

    The following criteria would apply to participant selection:
     Demonstrated export experience;
     Relevance of a company's business line to mission goals;
     Suitability of a company's products or services to the 
Chinese market and likelihood of a participating company increasing its 
exports to China within a year as a result of this mission;
     Timeliness of the company's signed application materials 
and participation agreement (including the participation fee)\*\;
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    \*\ Upon completion of the application submission and review 
process, companies that have been selected to participate will be 
required to complete a participation agreement and pay a 
participation fee.
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     Target of 20 to 30 participating companies on the Mission;
     Rank/seniority of the designated company representative;
     Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics, 
and traditional under-representation in business;
     Provision of adequate information on the company's 
products and/or services, and the company's primary market objectives, 
in order to facilitate appropriate pre-qualification of company by 
embassy staff; and
     Certification that the company meets Departmental 
guidelines for participation. A company's products or services should 
be either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the 
name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content.
    The participation fee will be $8,500 per firm, which includes one 
representative. The fee for each additional firm representative is 
$3,000. The option to participate in the Mission is also being offered 
to U.S.-based firms in China or the region; the same fee structure 
applies. Expenses for travel, lodging, and incidentals will be the 
responsibility of each mission participant.
    Any partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection 
process.

VII. Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and 
trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade 
associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry 
meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. The Commercial 
Service will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other 
interested organizations, including other U.S. Government agencies.
    Applications for the Mission will be made available July 24, 2006 
through September 14, 2006. Applications can be obtained from the U.S. 
Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison

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(Phone: 202-482-1360, e-mail [email protected]) or from the Mission 
Web site at http://www.export.gov/chinamission.
    The application deadline is September 15, 2006. Completed 
applications should be submitted to the Office of Business Liaison. 
Applications received after September 15, 2006 will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Domestic Contact Information: The Office of Business Liaison, Tel: 
202-482-1360.

Patrick Kirwan,
Director, Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat.
 [FR Doc. E6-13772 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-25-P