[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 91 (Friday, May 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26367-26371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10450]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 International Trade Administration


Clean Energy and Environment Trade Mission to China and India

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Clean Energy and Environment Trade Mission to China and India.

DATES: September 1-12, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian O'Hanlon at 
[email protected] or Debra Delay at [email protected] 
or visit the mission Web site at http://www.export.gov/cleanenergymission.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Mission Description: The United States Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, is organizing a Clean Energy and 
Environment Trade Mission to China and India, September 1-12, 2008. The 
trade mission will target a broad range of clean energy and 
environmental technologies such as renewable energy, biofuels, energy 
efficiency, clean coal, distributed generation, waste handling and 
treatment, wastewater treatment, packaging recycling, and drinking 
water treatment. The mission will make stops in Beijing, Jinan, and 
Shanghai, China as well as New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, India. It 
will be led by Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Bohigian.
    Through this mission, ITA seeks to match participating U.S. 
companies with prescreened partners, agents, distributors, 
representatives, licensees, or retailers in each of these important 
sectors. In addition to one-on-one business meetings, the agenda will 
also include meetings with national and local government officials, 
networking opportunities, country briefings, seminars, and site visits.
    Background: This mission builds on two previous U.S. Clean Energy 
Technologies Trade Missions, which took place in April 2007 and January 
2008. Each brought 17 U.S. companies to China and India. This trade 
mission takes place within the context of both the President's 
international framework

[[Page 26368]]

on climate change, energy security, and economic growth involving the 
15 major economies (the Global-15), as well as the Asia-Pacific 
Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).
    On May 31, 2007, President Bush announced an effort to develop and 
implement the Global-15 framework by 2012, which would complement the 
current United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and 
advance the APP. The APP is a public-private partnership in which 
member countries work together to facilitate commercial deployment of 
technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy 
security.
    The mission also builds on the work of the U.S.-China Joint 
Commission on Commerce and Trade. In December 2007, both countries 
committed to continued cooperation in the deployment of environmental 
technologies by launching the U.S.-China Environmental Industries 
Forum, an event sponsored by the China Association of Environmental 
Protection Industry.

China

    China's rapid economic growth has been accompanied by widespread 
pollution and environmental degradation. This, combined with limited 
energy resources and inefficient use of energy, has caused the central 
government to make clean energy, environmental technologies, and energy 
efficiency a strategic priority. In the 11th Five-Year Plan (2005-
2010), the government has set the targets of reducing energy intensity 
per unit of GDP by 20% and reducing emissions for major pollutants 
(e.g. carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxides) by 10%. The Chinese 
Government's recent passage of the new Renewable Energy Law has 
codified many of these mandates, including a renewable energy portfolio 
of at least 10 percent by 2020 (up from approximately 3 percent in 
2003). This law is partly responsible for the increase in new renewable 
energy projects and offers U.S. producers an important opportunity to 
provide wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, waste-to-energy, biomass, 
geothermal, biofuels, and resource mapping technologies. Achieving the 
targets for wind energy alone (30 GW by 2020 from 1.2 GW in 2005) will 
require $21-28 billion in investment. China has already invested $12 
billion in renewable energy capacity in 2007 and will most likely spend 
even more in 2008.
    In addition to renewable energy, China has a substantial need for 
energy and environmental products that will render energy production 
from coal cleaner. Coal accounts for 69% of China's energy use and thus 
the need to develop clean coal technologies provides a substantial 
opportunity for U.S. producers of combined heat and power, coal 
beneficiation products, coal mine methane extraction technologies, gas 
turbines, circulating fluidized bed boilers, pollution control 
technologies such as desulphurization technologies, and coal conversion 
technologies such as advanced pulverized coal gasifiers.
    In addition to air pollution and the need for cleaner, more 
efficient energy, water issues are among the top priorities of China's 
environmental protection plan. It is estimated that in the next five 
years, China will invest $175 billion in environmental protection, 
accounting for 1.3-1.4% of GDP.
    All these initiatives underscore China's intention to deploy 
cleaner and more efficient technologies. U.S. technology providers with 
accurate market information and a sound business strategy have the 
potential to take advantage of the growing Chinese market for clean 
energy and environment technologies.

Beijing

    With a population of over 15 million, China's capital, Beijing, 
offers unparalleled access to Chinese policymakers and institutions 
including the National Development and Reform Commission and the newly-
created Ministry of Environment. Since China's energy and environmental 
sectors are regulated by the central government, interaction with these 
officials can be critical to a company's success.
    There is also a strong local market for clean energy technologies 
in Beijing, due to its size, its political and economic importance, and 
the poor environmental conditions caused by development. Beijing is 
unique in China in its provincial status, which enables its municipal 
government to approve independent foreign investment projects up to a 
value of $30 million. This has positioned Beijing as an attractive 
location for foreign investment in China.
    Beijing is also developing its own renewable energy policy, partly 
as a way to combat the effects of the nearly 1,000 new cars per day 
driving on the city's roads.

Jinan

    With a population of 5.9 million, Jinan is the capital of China's 
Shandong Province. Jinan boasts a highly skilled workforce, is home to 
ten universities, and has over two hundred research institutions, 
including ten national labs. The city is host to heavy industry, 
textiles, IT, bioengineering, home appliances, and transportation tools 
companies. Shandong Province's energy intensive economy and 
environmental needs offers an array of opportunities to U.S. companies. 
In recent years, the province has invested over $13 billion on 
environmental projects including water treatment, industrial 
monitoring, and pollution prevention.
    Jinan is also host to the 3rd International Exhibition on Green 
Industry and the Northeast Asia Environmental Protection Industry Fair, 
which brings together green technologies and buyers from across North 
Asia. Trade mission participants will receive special attention from 
the event's organizers as the first U.S. delegation to the exhibition.

Shanghai

    Shanghai is known as the commercial and financial capital of China. 
With its strategic location at the mouth of China's longest river, the 
Yangtze, Shanghai also serves as the country's central transportation 
hub, offering a well-developed air, rail, sea, and road transportation 
infrastructure. In 2006, Shanghai registered 12 percent growth in its 
gross domestic product (GDP), the city's 15th consecutive year of 
double-digit growth. Its estimated population of 21 million people 
makes Shanghai the second largest city in China, after Chongqing. Per 
capita GDP is US$7,000, compared to the national average of US$2,800. 
Its strategic location, highly skilled workforce, and solid 
infrastructure make Shanghai a magnet for foreign direct investment 
(FDI). Contracted FDI for 2006 reached US$15 billion, up 5 percent from 
2005, and realized FDI was US$7 billion. Shanghai hosts over 4,800 
U.S.-invested firms, including GM, Intel, GE, Motorola, FedEx, and UPS.
    Shanghai faces the same severe energy and environmental challenges 
as many of China's other cities. According to the Shanghai Municipal 
Government, 80 percent of Shanghai's 22,000 waterways and lakes are 
contaminated by substances such as petrochemicals, cyanides, mercury, 
cadmium, arsenic, and lead. In 2007, domestic sewage discharge reached 
1.8 billion cubic meters; however, only 49.4 percent was treated in 
urban areas. Only 20 percent of water supplied by local rivers is 
drinkable, limiting the water available to residents to 1,050 cubic 
meters per capita--60 percent less than China's national average.
    In an effort to reverse environmental degradation, Shanghai 
recently launched the multi-billion dollar Shanghai Urban Environment 
Plan, seeking to address urban planning and

[[Page 26369]]

environmental needs for the city. The plan will require the Shanghai 
Water Authority to invest $725 million in the next few years, including 
a 1.3 million ton per day wastewater treatment plant, new pipe 
networks, pumping stations, and overall management and monitoring 
systems.
    Shanghai recently overhauled its Clean Air Act and now mandates 
desulfurization systems on all new power plants and industrial 
facilities located in designated sulfur dioxide and acid rain control 
zones. The city is embarking on an ambitious campaign to curb vehicle 
emissions by phasing out leaded gasoline, issuing new tailpipe 
standards, developing alternative fuel technologies, and investing in 
emissions control and inspection equipment. And the government is 
beginning to enforce its comprehensive solid and hazardous waste law.
    The Shanghai Municipal Government's energy strategy has focused on 
the diversification of energy supplies, increasing energy efficiency, 
and introducing clean energy technologies into the energy mix. 
Shanghai's energy demand has grown approximately 6-8% annually, while 
electricity demand has recently surged to over 10% a year. As a result, 
this focus is particularly reflected in the Shanghai's building codes 
have been changed to encourage energy efficient technologies and 
design.
    Shanghai's government is also considering a ``100,000'' roofs 
initiative to add solar panels to homes and businesses. China's power 
grid company is developing a fleet of electric-only vehicles and plans 
to create a network of charging stations for the Beijing Olympics and 
the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Shanghai also plans to have a fleet of 
electric buses in time for the 2010 World Expo.

India

    India is experiencing dramatic economic growth and a rapidly 
increasing demand for energy. Currently the world's fourth largest 
energy consumer, India will be the third-largest by 2030. Both India's 
cities and villages lack adequate energy; there is therefore a need to 
add on-grid and off-grid power generation. The Government of India has 
specified renewable energy in its development plans and has developed 
numerous government incentives. The federal government has set a goal 
of electrifying 18,000 remote villages and meeting 10 percent of its 
energy demand with clean energy by 2012. The Indian market for clean 
energy is estimated at $600 million with an annual growth rate of 25 
percent. The current 8,000 MW of installed capacity is expected to 
reach 20,000 MW by 2012. India is currently experiencing annual growth 
of energy demand of 9 percent a year.
    The clean energy market in India offers strong business prospects 
to U.S. companies, particularly in solar, biomass, gasification, wind, 
hydro, and solid and industrial waste-to-energy. The market for energy 
efficiency is estimated to be about $2 billion, concentrated especially 
in energy-intensive industries such as cement, aluminum, fertilizers, 
pulp and paper, petrochemicals, and steel.

New Delhi

    New Delhi, India's capital, is not only the second largest city, 
but also the second-most favored foreign direct investment (FDI) 
destination in the country. Key industries and business opportunities 
in New Delhi include environmental technologies, renewable energy, and 
energy efficiency. The total Indian market for these goods and services 
is expected to grow to $9 billion in 2010. New Delhi is also the 
principal end-user of clean technology, fulfilling the Government of 
India's (GOI) directives on nation-wide deployment of environmental 
equipment and services. The size of New Delhi's need for energy and 
high pollution makes it an attractive market for large investments in 
clean technology projects, which is a key national priority.

Hyderabad

    Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh and has a 
population of 7 million. Clean energy companies visiting Andhra Pradesh 
will find potential partners in the city's numerous energy intensive 
sectors including cement, steel, power plants, and defense industries.
    The state agency, Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation 
of Andhra Pradesh Ltd., implements numerous programs to support clean 
energy. The Andhra Pradesh government provides subsidies to all 
renewable energy technologies including wind, solar, hydro, and biogas. 
Hyderabad is also the epicenter for the Green Business Building push in 
India. The Confederation of Indian Industry's Green Business Center is 
located in Hyderabad. This showcase for Clean Energy enjoys support 
from ongoing U.S.-India partnerships operated by USAID and the State 
Government of Andhra Pradesh.
    The Environment Protection Agency of India (EPTRI) is also located 
in Hyderabad, providing comprehensive training and research in 
environmental issues and concerns. The increasing population density 
and sustained efforts to improve the standard of living have created 
tremendous pressure on the environment. Approximately 10 percent of the 
geographical area and 19 percent of the cultivatable area of Andhra 
Pradesh requires environmental cleanup. Though there is domestic 
competition, Hyderabad therefore presents a tremendous opportunity for 
U.S. firms, which can provide a wide range of services.

Mumbai

    Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the capital of the state of Maharashtra 
and is home to over 16 million residents. As India's most 
industrialized state, Maharashtra leads India in energy consumption, 
produces sizeable quantities of pollutants, and has experienced 
frequent energy blackouts. A 5,000 MW energy shortfall has spurred 
innovative programs to promote clean energy. In fact, the Maharashtra 
Energy Development Agency is actively promoting additional power from 
solar, wind, biogas, and small hydro sources. One of India's premier 
research institutes, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 
operates an active Energy Systems Engineering program with a particular 
focus on sustainable energy.
    Small-scale industrial firms dominate the environmental 
technologies sector but there are a few engineering companies offering 
services and equipment as part of turnkey consulting services. This 
sector is growing at 10-12 percent annually. There is a growing demand 
for the technologies for solid waste, water and wastewater treatment, 
vehicular pollution and air pollution. Some of the advanced equipment 
required for treatment of biomedical waste is not manufactured 
domestically and must be imported--an opportunity for U.S. exporters. 
Imports constitute nearly 40 percent of the total market.
    Mission Goals: The Trade Mission will facilitate market entry or 
increased sales into these significant markets for U.S. clean energy 
and environmental technologies and services firms, and will assist 
mission participants in gaining first-hand market information and 
access to key government officials and potential business partners.
    Mission Scenario: In China and India, the International Trade 
Administration will:
     Provide a market briefing highlighting opportunities in 
the clean energy technologies sectors.
     Schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business 
partners for each participant.

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     Provide a venue for the one-on-one appointments and 
provide interpreters as needed.
     Provide networking opportunities with the private and 
public sectors.
     Organize relevant site visits.

Summary of Results Expected From the Mission

     Increased U.S. clean energy and environmental technologies 
exports to China and India.
     Progress on addressing market access barriers to trade in 
clean energy and environmental technologies and services in China and 
India.
     Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic 
growth and the improvement of environmental conditions in China and 
India.
     Increased awareness of the President's new international 
climate change framework (``the Global-15'') and the Asia Pacific 
Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, and of ITA's trade policy 
and promotion programs.

Proposed Mission Timetable

Monday, September 1, 2008

    Arrive in Beijing.
    Welcome Reception.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

    Embassy Briefing.
    U.S.-China Clean Energy and Environmental Technologies Forum.
    Meeting with China's National Development and Reform Commission.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

    Depart Beijing.
    Arrive Jinan.
    Participate in the Shandong International Exposition of Green 
Industry.
    Government/Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Depart Jinan.
    Arrive Shanghai.
    Networking Dinner.

Friday, September 5, 2008

    Consulate Briefing.
    Government/Business Meetings.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

    Depart Shanghai.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

    Arrive New Delhi.

Monday, September 8, 2008

    Embassy Briefing.
    Government/Business Meetings.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

    Depart New Delhi.
    Arrive Hyderabad.
    Local Market Briefing.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

    Depart Hyderabad.
    Arrive Mumbai.
    Government/Business Meetings.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Networking Reception.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

    Government/Business Meetings.
    One-on-One Business Meetings.
    Site Visit.

Friday, September 12, 2008

    Depart Mumbai.

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in this mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their 
ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection 
criteria as outlined below. No more than 25 companies will be selected 
to participate in the mission from the applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a 
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation 
fee is required. The participation fee will be $5,400 per firm, which 
includes one principal representative. The fee for each additional firm 
representative is $1,000. For companies who wish to only participate in 
mission activities for one country the participation fee will be $3,500 
per firm, which includes one principal representative. The fee for each 
additional firm representative is $750. Expenses for travel, lodging, 
some meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission 
participant.

Conditions for Participation

     An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission 
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate 
information on the company's: Products and/or services, primary market 
objectives, and goals for participation no later than July 21, 2008. If 
we receive an incomplete application, we reserve the right to either 
reject the application or take the lack of information into account 
when evaluating the applications. A mission application may be found at 
http://www.export.gov/cleanenergymission.
     Each applicant must also:

--Certify that the products or services it seeks to export through the 
mission are 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;
--Certify that the export of the products or services that it wishes to 
export through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export 
controls and regulations;
--Certify that it has identified to the Department of Commerce for its 
evaluation any business pending before the Department of Commerce that 
may present either a conflict of interest or the appearance of a 
conflict of interest;
--Certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any 
administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the 
Department of Commerce; and
--Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not 
and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection 
with the company's/participant's involvement in this mission, and (2) 
maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign 
officials.

    Selection Criteria for Participation: Selection will be based on 
the following criteria in decreasing order of importance.
     Relevance of the company's business line to the mission 
scope and goals;
     Potential for business in the selected markets;
     Demonstrated export experience in China and/or India and/
or globally;
     Participation in both the China and India portions of the 
mission;
     Rank/seniority of the designated company representative; 
and
     Diversity of sector participation.
    Additional factors, such as diversity of company size, type, 
location, demographics, and traditional under-representation in 
business, may also be considered during the review process.
    Invited companies must submit the trade mission participation fee 
and completed participation agreement within two weeks of receipt of 
their invitation in order to secure their place in the mission. After 
that time other companies may be invited to fill their spot. 
Applications received after the closing date will be considered only if

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space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents, including 
the application, containing references to partisan political activities 
(including political contributions) will be removed from an applicant's 
submission and not considered during the selection process.
    The mission will be promoted through the following venues: ITA's 
Export Assistance Centers; the Energy Team; the Environment Team; the 
Asia Pacific Team; the Africa, Near East, and South Asia Team; Global 
Trade Programs; the Trade Events List http://www.export.gov; industry 
newsletters; the Federal Register; the Asia-Pacific Partnership for 
Clean Development and Climate; relevant trade publications; relevant 
trade associations; past Commerce trade mission participants; various 
in-house and purchased industry lists; the Commerce Department trade 
missions calendar: http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html; and the 
Web: http://www.export.gov/cleanenergymission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian O'Hanlon, Office of Energy and Environment, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: 202-482-
3492.
Debra Delay, Global Environmental Technologies Deputy Team Leader, 
Boston U.S. Export Assistance Center, U.S. Department of Commerce, E-
mail: [email protected], Telephone: 617-565-4302. Mission Web 
site: http://www.export.gov/cleanenergymission.

    Dated: May 6, 2008.
Stephen Jacobs,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance.
 [FR Doc. E8-10450 Filed 5-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P