[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 150 (Monday, August 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43622-43624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15202]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Mission Statement; Afghanistan International Carpet Fair; August 
26-28, 2007

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez's priorities for Afghanistan 
include helping the country develop three sectors in which it has a 
comparative advantage: rugs, dried fruits and nuts, and mining. The 
International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce is

[[Page 43623]]

organizing a U.S. carpet trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan for the 
Afghanistan International Carpet Fair on August 26-28, 2007. The 
mission will assist U.S. rug businesses exploring trade and investment 
opportunities in Afghanistan's rug sector. Assistant Secretary David 
Bohigian will lead a delegation of U.S.-based executives of U.S. firms 
interested in pursuing business in Afghanistan's rug sector. The 
mission will include participation in the Carpet Fair, matchmaking, and 
a potential site visit to a rug production facility. The mission will 
reaffirm the U.S. Government's support towards bilateral relations and 
seek to expand opportunities for U.S. companies in Afghanistan.

Commercial Setting

    Afghanistan has a comparative advantage in producing hand woven 
rugs, putting this sector on the cutting edge of the Afghanistan's 
reintegration into the global economy. Afghanistan's rugs have a rich 
legacy of artistry and craftsmanship, which has been handed down 
through many generations. Each type of rug is unique to the location in 
which it was produced and inspired. Afghanistan produces various types 
of rugs woven out of wool, silk, and cotton.
    Due to the current lack of finishing facilities, Afghanistan sends 
more than eighty percent of its rugs to Pakistan, where they are 
finished and labeled ``made in Pakistan''. This Trade Mission will 
enable delegates to explore opportunities for investing in rug 
producing facilities and exporting textile equipment to Afghanistan. As 
such, the Mission could play a valuable role in preserving the brand 
identity of Afghan rugs, by helping producers to finish and export 
their own rugs.
    The Afghan Government is helping Afghan rug producers connect their 
craftsmanship to the world. In conjunction with the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, the Government of Afghanistan organized two previous 
delegations of Afghan rug producers to visit the United States. In July 
2006, a delegation visited major retailers and rug importers in New 
York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. In February 2007, a second 
delegation attended the AmericasMart International Area Rug Market in 
Atlanta, where Afghanistan's rugs were part of a major cultural 
showcase.
    This first-ever Afghanistan International Carpet Fair will provide 
an opportunity for Afghan rug producers and U.S. buyers to network, 
create business relationships, and allow U.S. buyers to explore 
investment opportunities in the rug sector. The Trade Mission presents 
a unique opportunity for seasoned U.S. rug professionals to partner 
with Afghan rug producers as Afghanistan strives to re-establish its 
leadership position in the global rug business.
    Mission Goals: The mission aims to further U.S. commercial policy 
objectives and to advance specific U.S. business interests in the U.S. 
and Afghan rug sectors. The mission will:
     Create an opportunity for members of the U.S. rug sector 
to meet and network with Afghan rug producers;
     Allow U.S. rug business delegates to visit Afghan rug 
producing facilities and explore potential investment opportunities;
     Assess the commercial climate of Afghanistan's rug sector 
as well as export and investment opportunities in Afghanistan;
     Encourage continued progress in economic development in 
Afghanistan.
    Mission Scenario: This mission will enable participants to gain 
access to the Afghan rug market on a large scale. The mission will 
include VIP participation in the rug show and a potential visit to at 
least one rug producing facility. Participants will be part of the 
carpet fair's opening night-VIP reception with high-level Afghan 
government officials, including President Karzai (to be confirmed). The 
event will provide opportunities to network with over 70 Afghan rug 
vendors at the show. The show will feature a broad range of rugs from 
Afghanistan's diverse rug producing provinces. Networking will also 
include one-on-one meetings between the U.S. rug business delegates and 
Afghan rug producers.
    Mission Timetable: The precise schedule will depend on the 
availability of local government and business officials and the 
specific goals of the mission participants. The tentative trip 
itinerary will be as follows:

Sunday, August 26

Arrive in Kabul
Attend opening reception for the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair, 
Serena Hotel
Meet with high-level U.S. and Afghan Government officials

Monday, August 27

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair
Networking between buyers and sellers
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers
Potential site visit to rug producing facilities

Tuesday, August 28

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair
Networking between buyers and sellers
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers
Potential site visit to rug producing facilities

Wednesday, August 29

Depart Kabul

    Criteria for Participation and Selection: We are looking to recruit 
five to ten delegates from the U.S. rug industry to participate in this 
mission. Recruitment and selection will be conducted according to the 
``Statement of Policy Governing Department of Commerce-Overseas Trade 
Missions'' established in March 1997.
    Eligibility: Participating companies must be incorporated or 
otherwise organized in the United States.
    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;
     Relevance of a company's business and product line to the 
identified growth sectors;
     Rank of the designated company representative;
     Past, present, or prospective relevant international 
business activity;
     Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics, 
and traditional under-representation in business; and
     Timely receipt of the company's signed and completed 
application, participation agreement, and participation fee.
    Additionally, U.S. exporters applying for this mission, such as rug 
finishing machinery manufacturers or distributors, must certify that 
the company's products or services are either produced in the United 
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have 
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content. The production and content 
requirements do not apply to U.S. buyer and U.S. investor applicants.
    Recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade missions calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html), the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force 
Web site (http://www.export.gov/afghanistan), and press releases to the 
general and trade media. Promotion of the mission will also take place 
through the involvement of U.S. Export Assistance Centers and relevant 
trade associations.

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    An applicant's partisan, political activities (including political 
contribution) are entirely irrelevant to the selection process. The fee 
to participate in this mission is approximately USD 1,500. The fee will 
not cover travel expenses, meals or lodging. Recruitment begins 
immediately and will close on August 8, 2007. Applications received 
after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit. The mission Web site (http://www.export.gov/afghanistan/events) will share information as it becomes available.

Disclaimer

    Trade mission members participate in the trade mission and 
undertake related travel at their own risk and are advised to obtain 
insurance accordingly. Any question regarding insurance coverage must 
be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice. The U.S. 
Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the 
safety or security of participants. Companies should consult the State 
Department's travel warning for Afghanistan: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2121.html. The Department of Commerce will 
coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to arrange for all 
transportation of the trade mission participants to and from the hotel 
and on visits to rug producing facilities. The Serena Hotel is 
responsible for providing security for the event venue. The Serena 
Hotel is a luxury hotel and does have security measures in place.
    The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees 
as to the success of the trade mission.

Noor Alam,
Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482-1812, Fax: (202) 482-
0980, E-mail: [email protected].
 [FR Doc. E7-15202 Filed 8-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P