[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52266-52267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20917]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of 2nd Afghanistan International Carpet Fair

AGENCY: Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Statement

2nd Afghanistan International Carpet Fair, October 26-30, 2008

I. Mission Description

    The International Trade Administration of the Department of 
Commerce is organizing the second U.S. carpet trade mission to Kabul, 
Afghanistan for the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair on October 
26-30, 2008. The mission will be open to U.S. rug businesses that have 
demonstrated experience in the carpet sector and are interested in 
exploring trade and investment opportunities in Afghanistan's carpet 
sector. Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force Director, 
Susan Hamrock Mann, will lead a delegation of U.S.-based executives of 
U.S. firms interested in pursuing business in Afghanistan's carpet 
sector. The mission will include participation in the Carpet Fair, 
matchmaking, and networking with Afghan rug vendors and manufacturers. 
The mission will reaffirm the U.S. Government's support of bilateral 
relations, address the Department's commitment to helping Afghanistan 
develop sectors in which it has a comparative advantage, and seek to 
expand opportunities for U.S. companies in Afghanistan.

II. Commercial Setting

    The mission will take place during a crucial time in Afghanistan's 
economic reemergence. Approximately 6 million Afghans are employed in 
the carpet sector directly or indirectly. Afghanistan has a comparative 
advantage in producing hand woven carpets, putting this sector on the 
cutting edge of Afghanistan's reintegration into the global economy. 
Afghanistan's carpets have a rich legacy of artistry and craftsmanship, 
which has been handed down through many generations. Each type of 
carpet is unique to the location in which it was produced and inspired. 
Afghanistan produces various types of carpets woven out of wool, silk, 
and cotton.
    Due to the current lack of finishing facilities, Afghanistan sends 
more than eighty percent of its carpets to Pakistan, where they are 
finished and labeled ``made in Pakistan.'' This Trade Mission will 
enable delegates to explore opportunities for investing in carpet 
producing facilities and exporting textile equipment to Afghanistan. As 
such, the Mission could play a valuable role in preserving the brand 
identity of Afghan carpets, by helping producers to finish and export 
their own production.
    The Afghan Government is helping Afghan carpet producers connect 
their craftsmanship to the world. In conjunction with the U.S. 
Department of Commerce, the Government of Afghanistan organized three 
previous delegations of Afghan carpet producers to visit the United 
States. In July 2006, a delegation visited major retailers and 
importers in New York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. In January 2007, a 
second delegation attended the AmericasMart International Area Rug 
Market in Atlanta, where Afghanistan's carpets were part of a major 
cultural showcase. In January 2008, a third delegation participated in 
the Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center, where Afghan carpets 
and cultural items were prominently displayed at the show.
    This 2nd Afghanistan International Carpet Fair will provide an 
opportunity for Afghan carpet producers and U.S. buyers to network, 
create business relationships, and allow U.S. buyers to explore 
investment opportunities in the sector. The Trade Mission presents a 
unique opportunity for seasoned U.S. professionals to partner with 
Afghan carpet producers as Afghanistan strives to re-establish its 
leadership position in the global carpet business.

III. 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 
carpet sectors. The mission will:
     Create an opportunity for U.S. companies to meet and 
network with Afghan carpet producers;
     Assist Afghan carpet producers in creating long-term 
relationships with U.S. companies;
     Assist Afghan carpet producers with finding distributors 
for their carpets in the U.S.;
     Assess the commercial climate of Afghanistan's carpet 
sector as well as export and investment opportunities in Afghanistan; 
and
     Encourage continued progress in economic development in 
Afghanistan.

IV. Mission Scenario

    This mission will enable participants to gain access to the Afghan 
carpet market on a large scale. The mission will include VIP 
participation in the carpet fair. Participants will be part of the 
carpet fair's opening night-VIP reception with high-level Afghan 
government officials. The event will provide opportunities to network 
with at least 70 different Afghan carpet vendors at the show. The show 
will feature a broad range of carpets from across Afghanistan's diverse 
landscape. Networking will also include one-on-one meetings between the 
U.S. business delegates and Afghan companies.

V. Tentative 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:

Tuesday, October 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.

Wednesday, October 27

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair;
Networking between buyers and sellers;
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers.

Thursday, October 28-Friday, October 29

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair;
Networking between buyers and sellers;
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers.

Saturday, October 30

Depart Kabul (TBC).

[[Page 52267]]

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the 2nd U.S. Carpet 
Trade Mission to the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair in Kabul, 
Afghanistan 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. This trade mission is 
designed for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 qualified companies. 
Participating companies must be incorporated or otherwise organized in 
the United States.
    There are no fees for participation in this mission. Lodging 
expenses including three nights in the four-star Serena Hotel in Kabul 
will be covered by the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan. 
Necessary transportation including airport pickup will be provided by 
the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Expenses for travel to Kabul, 
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. If we receive an incomplete 
application, we may either reject the application, request additional 
information, or take the lack of information into account when we 
evaluate the applications.
    Selection Criteria for Participation:
     Consistency of company's goals with the scope and desired 
outcome of the mission;
     Capacity and intent to import goods from Afghanistan, 
export equipment consistent with the scope and desired outcome of the 
mission, or capacity and intent to invest in Afghanistan. Timely 
receipt of the company's signed and completed application, 
participation agreement.
    Additionally, U.S. exporters applying for this mission, such as 
carpet 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.
    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.

VIII. 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 Office of 
Business Liaison and the International Trade Administration 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 XX, 2008 
through August 1, 2008. Applications can be completed on-line on the 
Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force Web site at http://www.trade.gov/afghanistan or can be obtained by contacting the U.S. 
Department of Commerce Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task 
Force at 202-482-1812, [email protected], or via the contact 
information below.
    The application deadline is August 1, 2008. Completed applications 
should be submitted to the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction 
Task Force. Applications received after August 1, 2008 will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
    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_921.html. ITA will coordinate with the U.S. 
Embassy in Kabul to arrange for transportation of the mission 
participants to and from the airport and hotel. Transportation for 
certain optional activities, including visits to commercial sites in 
Kabul, may be provided by the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan. 
The hotel that will be the primary venue for the mission is a luxury 
hotel and does have strong security measures in place.
    The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees 
as to the commercial success of businesses which participate in this 
trade mission.
    Contact Information: 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].

Noor Alam,
International Trade Specialist, Afghanistan Investment and 
Reconstruction Task Force, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. E8-20917 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P