[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8503-8506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3953]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice and Call for Applications for the Environmental and Clean 
Energy Technologies Trade Mission to Croatia, Italy, and Greece, March 
30 to April 4, 2009

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the Environmental and 
Clean Energy Technologies Trade Mission to Croatia, Italy, and Greece, 
March 30 to April 4, 2009.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) is 
organizing an Environmental and Clean Energy Technologies Trade Mission 
to Zagreb, Croatia; Milan, Italy; and Athens, Greece, from March 30 to 
April 4, 2009. All three fast growing markets hold promising potential 
for U.S. firms offering equipment, services, and technologies in the 
target sectors. The mission will introduce participating U.S. firms to 
prospective representatives, distributors, end-users, and partners 
through one-on-one appointments in all three cities and will include 
participation in the EcoTec Environmental Tradeshow (EcoTec 2009) in 
Athens, where the USFCS will provide entry to the trade show, manage a 
booth, and organize meetings with business and industry contacts for 
each of the mission participants.

Commercial Setting

Greece

    Environmental protection is a priority issue in Greece, where the 
market for environmental equipment and services is expected to far 
outstrip local capacity in the future. The Greek Ministry of 
Environment estimates the country's environmental market to be about 
US$2.2 billion, or 1.5 percent of GDP. Investment in environmental 
infrastructure through European Union (EU) and national programs has 
been the centerpiece of environmental progress in Greece. These 
investments have been used to construct numerous wastewater and solid 
waste treatment facilities, as well as new recycling plants, composting 
facilities, and treatment plants for industrial and hazardous waste 
materials.
    The implementation of EU environmental legislation in national laws 
has created the institutional basis for successfully facing 
environmental protection challenges. In January 2007, the Minister of 
Environment announced a US$6.3 billion investment plan for 2007-2013 
for the upgrading, modernization and maintenance of environmental 
projects in waste management, recycling, and water treatment, to be 
implemented under the ``Environment and Sustainable Development'' 
program.
    Following EU directives and practices, Greece is committed to 
introducing the necessary legislative framework for promoting the use 
of ``clean'' or ``green'' technologies. Renewable energy will play a 
major role in these initiatives. Furthermore, in an effort to catch up 
with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, Greece's Minister of 
Environment has approved a National Allocation Plan for Emission 
Trading for 2008-2012, which aims to bring about a 16.6 percent 
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
    Areas holding the greatest potential for U.S. firms in the Greek 
environmental market include waste management, recycling and biomass 
facilities; hazardous waste treatment and disposal; water treatment; 
air and sea pollution control; clean coal plants; ``green'' building 
materials; emissions monitoring and reduction; and photovoltaic plants.
    At the EcoTec Environmental Tradeshow, to be held April 3-6, 2009,

[[Page 8504]]

mission members will have opportunities to meet with business and 
industry contacts in a range of sectors, including renewable energy, 
recycling, ecoconstruction, waste management, wastewater treatment, 
environmental restoration, energy conservation, and alternative fuels. 
EcoTec 2009 is expected to attract technical experts, local and 
national management councils, large commercial entities, construction 
companies, government procurement executives, investors, researchers, 
and various business representatives from all over Greece and 
neighboring countries (for details, see: http://www.EcoTec.gr/Site%20EcoTec%20final/Hekthesh_eng.html).

Italy

    Italy's US$6 billion environmental market--of which machinery and 
equipment account for approximately US$1 billion--offers significant 
opportunities to U.S. firms providing innovative technologies. Waste 
management is a major issue driving Italy's environmental policy. While 
the practices of waste minimization and separate waste collection, 
waste re-use, recycling, and recovery are growing, urban and industrial 
waste disposal in Italy still depends largely on landfills. Investments 
of several billion dollars are expected over the next few years to 
adopt innovative recycling technologies and to build near-to-zero 
emission waste-to-energy plants. Recent implementation of the EU 
directive on waste and electronic equipment recycling is expected to 
expand opportunities for U.S. firms offering technological innovation.
    Italy's water collection and distribution systems, as well as its 
urban wastewater sewage and purification systems, are also inadequate. 
Measures to encourage more sustainable use of water resources include 
new legislation for water reuse and investments in innovative 
technologies to prevent and detect water losses. The total investment 
to implement an integrated water system comprising aqueducts, sewage 
systems and treatment services could reach US$55 billion countrywide in 
the next ten years.
    With regard to soil remediation, specific legislation has 
established the criteria, procedures, and methods for safety and clean-
up actions for environmental restoration of contaminated sites. The 
Italian Government has identified 40 Italian sites of ``National 
Interest'' in need of urgent clean up. It is estimated that at least 
15,000 areas in Italy are currently subject to environmental 
investigation and/or remediation actions. Innovative technologies in 
this sector are in high demand.
    Italy has implemented restrictive air pollution control legislation 
in compliance with stringent EU regulations to cut greenhouse gas 
emissions by 20 percent. The environmental impact of private and public 
transportation remains a major problem. Italy's major municipalities 
have implemented a large number of projects, and the Italian Government 
is offering incentives to substitute older vehicles with new vehicles 
with lower environmental impact, but there is still much to be done.
    As far as energy is concerned, Italy depends on foreign suppliers 
for about 80 percent of its needs. Interest in renewable energy has 
become an important issue on the Italian Government's agenda, and there 
is substantial effort in research and development to expand the use of 
alternative sources of energy, especially biomass, geothermal, solar 
(both photovoltaic and solar thermal), and wind energy.
    Green building also represents an increasingly promising market, as 
European and local norms steer builders in that direction. Italy lags 
behind other European countries, but the trend is positive, and green 
building represents a very dynamic market niche.
    While competition in Italy is fierce, U.S. environmental and energy 
technologies are highly regarded there. Moreover, Italy's strategic 
Mediterranean location makes it an ideal gateway to the emerging 
markets of Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Several 
Italian firms specializing in turn-key operations have strengthened 
their position in foreign markets. The right Italian partner could 
assist U.S. firms not only in penetrating the Italian market, but also 
in effectively entering other foreign markets.

Croatia

    EU accession is the primary force affecting planning and 
procurement in the Croatian environmental sector. Croatia's Ministry of 
Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction and the 
World Bank estimate that Croatia needs to invest more than US$10 
billion in the environmental sector prior to accession, including about 
US$2.2 billion for waste management, US$5 billion for wastewater 
treatment, and US$56 million for air protection. So far, less than 
US$35 million has been directly invested in environmental protection in 
Croatia. Expected increases in these investments, in addition to over 
US$186 million from EU Pre-Accession Funds delivered over the next 
three years, make Croatia an attractive market for U.S. suppliers of 
environmental equipment and services.
    Four primary environmental subsectors--waste management, wastewater 
treatment, air protection and renewable energy--hold opportunities for 
U.S. firms. Waste management is currently the largest challenge in 
Croatia's environmental sector. Key issues are increases in solid 
waste, very limited recycling, unreliable data on waste flows and 
quantities, and lack of organized disposal sites. According to plans, 
by 2025 most of the population will be included in an organized 
municipal waste collection system; recycling and waste treatment will 
grow significantly; and municipal and bio-degradable waste will be 
significantly reduced. To meet these goals, Croatia is organizing four 
regional and 21 county waste management centers with treatment plants 
and landfills. Remediation of 176 landfills is also underway, and two 
upcoming tenders offer possibilities for U.S. firms. The first, the 
Zagreb Waste Management Center, will include an incinerator, recycling 
yard, and heat and electricity generating plants at an approximate cost 
of US$580 million. The incinerator will be constructed next to the 
central wastewater treatment plant, and the resultant sewage sludge, 
together with municipal waste, will be used for energy generation. The 
second, a hazardous waste incinerator, is estimated to cost US$22 
million.
    Wastewater management is a key concern in Croatia, particularly in 
coastal municipalities. While water supply coverage, 73 percent, is 
high compared to other countries in the region, coverage for sewage is 
only about 40 percent, and less than 12 percent of all collected 
wastewater is being treated. Objectives for bringing Croatian water 
management in line with EU regulations include creating a Water 
Information System; extending public water supply to 90 percent of the 
population; providing wastewater collection, treatment and disposal 
systems for 10.5 million people; and implementing flood control and 
multi-purpose projects. Other opportunities include three large 
wastewater projects currently underway: The US$250 million Coastal 
Cities Pollution Control project, sponsored by the World Bank; the 
US$38 million Karlovac Wastewater Management Project, financed by the 
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and the US$18 million 
Inland Waters Project, financed by the World Bank.

[[Page 8505]]

    The Air Protection Act (2005) governs air quality management in 
line with the EU Framework Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality 
assessment and management. Although Croatia ratified the Kyoto Protocol 
in May 2007, efforts are still needed to limit the growth of greenhouse 
gas emissions in order to meet Croatia's Kyoto target for the period of 
2008 through 2012. Another priority is reduction of acid and other 
polluting gaseous emissions from major industrial premises such as 
refineries, petrochemical plants, cement factories, and large 
combustion plants.
    In 2007, Croatia adopted important regulations to support 
development of renewable energy projects required to meet the goal of 
the minimal 5.8 percent renewable energy share in the total electric 
energy supply by 2010. The overall size of the renewable electric 
energy projects is about 330 Megawatts of new capacity in the next 
three years, estimated to cost approximately US$700 million. Numerous 
private sector investors have submitted over a hundred projects for 
preliminary approval to the Ministry of Economy, 90 percent of which 
are for wind farms. Other renewable energy best prospects include 
biomass cogeneration plants, solar thermal collectors, and bio-fuel 
plants.
    While the Croatian environmental and clean energy markets are 
relatively small on the global scale, EU accession has strengthened 
emphasis on these sectors, pointing to opportunities for U.S. firms 
that are able to offer specialized equipment and services in the near 
term to help alleviate Croatia's existing environmental challenges and 
thereby position themselves for long-term market access.

Mission Goals

    The goals of the Environmental and Clean Energy Technologies Trade 
Mission to Italy, Croatia, and Greece are threefold: (1) To help U.S. 
firms explore supplier opportunities under various environmental 
programs; (2) to help U.S. firms initiate or expand their exports to 
these markets by providing business-to-business introductions and 
market access information; and (3) to facilitate an effective U.S. 
presence at EcoTec in Athens.

Mission Scenario

    The mission will stop in Zagreb, proceed to Milan, and conclude in 
Athens, at EcoTec 2009. The USFCS in Athens will provide entry to the 
trade show, manage a booth, and organize meetings with business and 
industry contacts for each of the mission participants. Activities at 
all stops will include market briefings; pre-scheduled appointments 
with potential partners, distributors, representatives, and end users; 
networking receptions; and meetings with USFCS environmental technology 
specialists. The USFCS in Athens will continue to maintain a presence 
at EcoTec Sunday, April 5, and will assist any mission members wishing 
to remain to take advantage of visitor traffic at the show, expected to 
be highest that day. This assistance is offered to the delegation at no 
additional cost.

Proposed Timetable

Monday, March 30.............  Zagreb: Briefing, one-on-one
                                appointments, evening reception.
Tuesday, March 31............  Morning, conclude appointments/Depart for
                                Milan.
Wednesday, April 1...........  Milan: Briefing, appointments, evening
                                reception.
Thursday, April 2............  Appointments, site visits/Depart for
                                Athens.
Friday, April 3..............  Athens: Briefing, appointments, trade
                                show opening, late afternoon reception.
Saturday, April 4............  Appointments, show activities/Mission
                                concludes.
Sunday, April 5..............  Bonus day.
 

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Environmental and 
Clean Energy Technologies Trade Mission to Italy, Croatia and Greece 
must complete and submit an application 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. The mission will open on a first come first 
served basis to minimum of seven and maximum of 10 qualified U.S. 
companies.
    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 fee for participation in the entire mission will 
be US$5,400 for large firms and US$3,975 for a small or medium-sized 
enterprise (SME), which includes one principal representative.\*\ The 
fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is 
$450. Expenses for lodging, some meals, incidentals, and travel (except 
for in-country arrangements previously noted) will be the 
responsibility of each mission participant.
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    * An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or 
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations 
(see http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The 
dual pricing schedule reflects the Commercial Service's user fee 
schedule that became effective May 1, 2008 (for additional 
information see http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html).
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    While priority will be given to firms applying to take part in all 
three cities on the mission itinerary, firms may opt to visit only one 
or two markets on the itinerary for the following fees:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Large
                      Option                        SME (US$)   company
                                                                 (US$)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One stop..........................................      2,000      3,000
Two stops.........................................      3,000      4,000
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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.
     Each applicant must also certify that the products and 
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.

Selection Criteria for Participation

    Selection will be based on the following criteria:
     Suitability of the company's products or services to the 
three target markets and sectors.
     Applicant's potential for business in the target markets, 
including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission.
     Applicant's stated intent to participate in all three 
markets on the mission itinerary.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing 
references to partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) will

[[Page 8506]]

be removed from an applicant's submission and not considered during the 
selection process.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Recruitment for this trade mission 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, e-mail blasts, notices by industry 
trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at 
industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment 
for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than 
February 27, 2009. Applications received after that date will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Contacts in the United States:

Bill Cline, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Reno, Team Leader, 
Global Environmental Team, U.S. Department of Commerce, Tel: 
775.784.5203/Fax: 775.784.5343, Email: [email protected].
Jessica Arnold, Global Environmental Team Project Officer, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20004, Tel: (202) 482-2026/Fax: 
(202) 482-9000, Email: [email protected].
    Contacts in Europe:

Milan, Italy: Nicoletta Postiglione, American Consulate General, Tel: 
011-39-02-626-8851, Fax: 011-39-02-659-6561, Email: 
[email protected].
Zagreb, Croatia: Pamela Ward, American Embassy/Zagreb, Tel: 011-385-1-
661-2224, Fax: 011-385-1-661-2446, Email: 
[email protected].
Athens, Greece: William Kutson, U.S. Embassy/Athens, Tel: 30/210/720-
2303/720-2302, Fax: 30/210/721-8660, Email: 
[email protected].

    Dated: February 18, 2009.
Jessica Arnold,
International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. E9-3953 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P