[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 135 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38823-38824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3463]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Trade Mission Statement

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Statement

    Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels Mission to Europe. September 
10-19, 2007.

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service will organize a 
Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels Trade Mission to Germany, 
Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and Poland, September 
10-19, 2007. This event offers a timely and cost-effective means for 
U.S. firms to enter promising markets for renewable energies equipment, 
technology and services. Target sectors holding high potential for U.S. 
exporters include biomass, biofuels, waste-to-energy, hydropower, wind, 
geothermal, solar and clean coal. During the Munich, Germany stop, the 
program will include a country briefing, a European Union-wide 
perspective on renewable energy, a reception for business and 
government contacts hosted by the U.S. Consulate, and one-on-one 
appointments with prospective business contacts. Each of the stops in 
Central Europe will include a country briefing, reception for business 
and government contacts hosted by the U.S. Ambassador or other high-
ranking embassy official, one-on-one appointments with prospective 
business contacts, and high-level meetings with government officials 
and business leaders.

Commercial Setting

    Germany: The German economy is the world's third largest and, after 
the expansion of the EU, accounts for nearly one-fifth of European 
Union GDP. Germany is the United States' largest European trading 
partner and is the sixth largest market for U.S. exports. German 
business and consumer confidence is increasing rapidly as Germany 
continues to build upon last year's 2.7 percent increase in GDP. 
Germany is once again becoming Europe's economic engine with an 
expected GDP growth rate this year of approximately 2.3-2.8 percent. 
Since EU accession 2004, Hungary, the Slovak Republic and Czech 
Republic and Poland have experienced robust rates of economic growth, 
dramatically increased inflows of foreign direct investment and 
enhanced access to EU development funds. The need to reduce dependence 
on non-EU sources and the ambitious target set by the EU for renewables 
to comprise 20% of general energy consumption by 2020 are driving a 
significant demand for new equipment, technology and services. These 
developments have created robust business opportunities for U.S. firms 
operating within these sectors. Germany's power plant capacity is 
currently roughly 11,000 MW, which is unlikely to increase as new power 
plants under construction or being planned will only replace older, 
existing plants. However, Germany's energy supply is still based mainly 
on fossil resources. The finiteness of these resources and negative 
effects on the environment necessitate increased development of 
renewable energies to ensure future energy supply. Due to rising prices 
of fossil products, and to environmental protection measures mandated 
by Germany's federal government and the EU, the use of regenerative 
energy in Germany has increased considerably in recent years and is 
expected to increase further, creating areas of opportunities for 
companies offering technology and know-how for this market segment. 
Germany's energy industry is one of the largest investors in the 
country with 80 billion euros ($106.5 billion USD) to be invested in 
networks and power plants by the end of 2020. However, as the world's 
sixth largest producer of CO2 emissions, Germany is trying 
to slash its output of greenhouse gases and is planning to have 
renewable energy sources supply a quarter of its energy needs by 2020. 
Currently, renewable energy sources supply 12% of Germany's energy, 
primarily from wind, water, biomass and photovoltaics. By 2010, experts 
predict an increase in sales for the whole renewable energy sector of 
45 billion euros ($60 billion USD) with an export share of 16 billion 
euros ($21.3 billion USD).
    Hungary: Hungary relies heavily on oil and gas from Russia, 
together with one nuclear plant, for most of its energy needs. Future 
diversity is key, and renewable sources are a priority. With power 
demand increasing 2% yearly, Hungary needs another 6,300 MW of capacity 
over 10-15 years. The renewable portion is expected to reach 600 MW by 
2020, from 170 MW now. U.S. know-how can help Hungary meet its goals.
    Slovak Republic: In 2005, nuclear plants provided almost 60% of the

[[Page 38824]]

country's electricity. By the end of 2008, that number will decline to 
30% as older reactors are taken out of service. The Slovak government 
will need to replace the reactors. Almost 90% of all fossil fuels are 
being imported, largely from Russia. Domestic coal and natural gas 
contribute only 2% of present energy needs. Renewable energy sources 
presently account for less than 3% of the total. The government wants 
to increase that number to 24% by 2020. U.S. technology is well 
regarded in Slovakia, creating significant business opportunities for 
American firms in the renewable energy sector.
    Czech Republic: The Czech Republic is unique in the region as an 
exporter of energy, due to its central location in the heart of the 
European manufacturing belt, low production costs, and EU membership. 
Last year the country exported 29% of its generated energy, mainly to 
Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. The Czech energy sector is poised for 
dramatic changes. The current electricity generation system still 
relies on the country's rapidly diminishing reserves of brown coal, 
though nuclear energy also plays a key role. Major retrofit projects 
for these coal plants drive demand for clean coal technology. Another 
key trend is the increased focus on renewable energy, spurred by EU 
accession. Renewable sources should supply 8% of the Czech energy 
supply by 2010; currently, these sources supply only 4.8%.
    Poland: Currently Poland generates less than 3% of its energy from 
renewable sources, whereas mandated targets require a 10.4% level by 
2010. Implementation of the targets will cut greenhouse gases by 18 
million tons and experts estimate $3.27 billion in new investments in 
renewable energy projects in coming years. Financing for these 
investments will come from state and local government budgets, various 
domestic and multilateral environmental funds, EU structural funds and 
individual investors. American products and technologies are well 
regarded and U.S. companies have found Poland to be a very receptive 
market.
    Mission Goals: The goal of the Renewable Energy and Alternative 
Fuels Trade Mission to Europe is to facilitate first-hand market 
exposure, access to government decision makers, and meetings with 
private-sector contacts, including potential agents, distributors, end-
users and other business partners.
    Mission Scenario: In each of the stops, participants will attend 
country briefings, a business reception hosted by the U.S. Ambassador 
or U.S. Consulate, and one-on-one meetings with prospective business 
contacts. In Germany, participants will also receive a European Union-
wide perspective on renewable energy.
    Mission Timetable: Depart U.S. on Saturday, September 8, for 
Germany or Sunday, September 9, for Budapest. Unless otherwise noted 
below, participants are responsible for making their own travel 
arrangements.
    Monday, September 10, Germany:
    (1) Country briefing: European Union-wide perspective on renewable 
energy.
    (2) Reception for business and government contacts hosted by the 
U.S. Consulate.
    (3) Matchmaking appointments.
    Tuesday, September 11, Budapest:
    (1) Last possible day for participants to arrive in Budapest
    (2) Country/Industry Briefing. Wednesday, September 12, Budapest:
    (1) Matchmaking appointments.
    (2) Reception.
    Thursday, September 13, Budapest--Bratislava:
    (1) Commercial Service will arrange to transport mission 
participants from Budapest to Bratislava. Bus transportation costs are 
included in mission participation fee.
    (2) Participants arrive in Bratislava.
    (3) Country/Industry Briefing.
    (4) Reception at Ambassador's residence.
    Friday, September 14, Bratislava:
    (1) Matchmaking appointments.
    Friday, September 14--Sunday, September 16:
    After the conclusion of the program in Bratislava, participants may 
decide individually whether to remain in Bratislava or to travel on to 
Prague. All participants must arrive in Prague by the evening of 
Sunday, September 16.
    Monday, September 17, Prague:
    (1) Country/Industry Briefing.
    (2) Matchmaking appointments.
    (3) Reception.
    Tuesday, September 18, Prague--Warsaw.
    (1) Participants depart Prague for Warsaw.
    (2) Country/Industry Briefing.
    Wednesday, September 19, Warsaw:
    (1) Matchmaking appointments.
    (2) Reception at Ambassador's residence.
    Thursday, September 20: Depart for United States.

Criteria for Participation and Selection

     Relevance of a company's business line to mission goals.
     Timeliness of company's signed application and 
participation agreement (including a participation fee of $4,600 for 
the five-stop mission).
     Company's potential for business in Central Europe.
     Provision of adequate information on company's products 
and/or services, and company's primary market objectives to facilitate 
appropriate matching with potential business partners.
     Certification that the company meets Departmental 
guidelines for participation. A company's products or services must be 
either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the 
name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the 
value of the finished product or service.
    Any partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection 
process. 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 the 
general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by 
industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and at 
industry meetings, symposia, conferences, trade shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than July 31, 2007. The participation fee for the event will be 
$4,600 per company for the five-stop mission. The participation fee 
does not include most meals, travel or lodging costs. Up to 10 
companies will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and 
applications received after the closing date will be considered only if 
space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Contact Information: Glen Roberts, Director, U.S. Commercial 
Service Export Assistance Center, 2100 Chester Ave., 1st Floor Suite 
166, Bakersfield, CA 93301, Tel: (661) 637-0136, fax: (661) 637-0156, 
[email protected].

Nancy Hesser,
Manager, Commercial Service Trade Missions, Trade Promotion Programs, 
Office of Domestic Operations, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, 
Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-34663, [email protected].
[FR Doc. 07-3463 Filed 7-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-25-M