[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9574-9576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4347]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Caribbean Trade Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The Commerce Department's International Trade Administration (ITA) 
and the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) post in Santo Domingo--Dominican 
Republic, will organize a matchmaking trade mission in June 2010.
    The matchmaking trade mission will include representatives from a 
variety of U.S. manufacturing companies and service providers. These 
mission participants will be introduced to international agents, 
distributors and end-users whose capabilities are targeted to each U.S. 
participants' needs in that particular market. Mission participants 
will also meet with key local industry contacts that can advise on 
local market conditions and opportunities. In addition to the above-
mentioned services, the U.S. Commercial Service industry specialist 
will be on hand to discuss market trends and opportunities in the 
Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Commercial Setting

    The Caribbean is more than just a vacation destination; it is also 
a steadily growing market full of business opportunities for U.S. 
companies. The Caribbean Region is a natural commercial partner of the 
United States, tied closely together by geography, history, and 
culture. The region as a whole represents a market of about 41 million 
people who collectively imported over $20.3 billion of U.S. goods in 
2008! As a result, the Caribbean Region is the 3rd largest export 
market for U.S. manufactured goods in Latin America behind only Mexico 
and Brazil. The United States enjoys a cooperative trading relationship 
with the region. Agreements such as The Caribbean Basin Initiative 
(CBI)--launched in 1983 and renewed in 2000 through legislation

[[Page 9575]]

enacted by Congress established trade programs to facilitate the 
economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin 
economies. U.S. exports to the CBI countries have more than tripled 
since the CBI's creation, from $6.5 billion in 1984 to over $25 billion 
in 2000.
    Additionally, on August 5, 2004, the United States and the 
Dominican Republic signed a Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The 
agreement was implemented on March 1, 2007, allowing more than 80% of 
U.S. manufactured goods enter duty free to the DR. In addition to 
tariff reduction, CAFTA-DR also provides unprecedented access to 
government procurement, liberalizes the services sectors, protects U.S. 
investments, and strengthens protections for U.S. patents, trademarks, 
and trade secrets in the DR. The U.S. has a 60% market share of 
Dominican imports. The Dominican Republic is the 7th largest market in 
the Western Hemisphere for U.S. exports after Canada, Mexico, Brazil, 
Venezuela, Colombia, and Chile. The United States is also Jamaica's 
primary trading partner with 40.1% of imports coming from the United 
States in 2008. Jamaica's GDP is US$12.7 billion, with 20% from tourism 
and 20% from remittances from Europe and North America. There is a 
trend of significant investment in the hotel and tourism sector. New 
highways, increased energy production and port modernization will 
likely lead to higher GDP growth. Additional development is expected 
with a new provision in 2008 to allow 3 casinos on the island.
    Jamaica's JLP-led government, elected in 2007 on a platform of pro-
business and good governance is championing the elimination of 
corruption, tax reform, and reducing red tape for business. Proximity, 
quality, and the use of the same language have encouraged Jamaican 
business people to purchase from the United States.
    Companies that intend to export goods and services in Building 
Products; Hotel & Restaurant Equipment; Medical Equipment & Supplies; 
Automotive Parts & Accessories; and Renewable Energy possess great 
potential for success. Other companies will be considered as well based 
on their market potential in both countries.

Mission Goals

    The goal of the Caribbean Trade Mission is to facilitate an 
effective presence for small and medium sized companies to export to 
companies in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. The mission will 
enable U.S. companies to familiarize themselves with these important 
markets, to conduct market research, and to explore export 
opportunities through pre-arranged meetings with potential partners. 
The companies will be able to network with Government and Industry 
professionals, providing them with an enhanced image and level of 
engagement. Knowledgeable Commercial Service Specialists who are 
familiar with the firms' objectives will support the mission 
participants.

Mission Scenario

    ITA Trade Specialists will promote the Trade Mission. This 
promotion will take place nation-wide and will largely be handled by 
the ITA Southern Network Hub. Companies interested in the mission will 
apply to the program, and once accepted (see `Criteria for Participant 
Selection') will work with the mission leader(s) to develop their 
business goals in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
    U.S. Export Assistance Center trade specialists and particularly 
members of the Southern Network Hub will recruit and counsel 
prospective participants for the trade mission. Company information and 
literature will be forwarded by the companies to CS Santo Domingo and 
its affiliates in Jamaica. The two offices will then begin the partner 
search, and will provide management and logistical coordination of the 
program.
    The mission leader(s) will use email and conference calls to 
communicate with U.S. participants prior to the mission. Mission 
leader(s) will be available for information and assistance throughout 
the duration of the mission. Prior to the end of the program, CS staff 
will advise and counsel participants on appropriate follow-up 
procedures.
    In summary, participation in the Trade Mission includes:
     Economic/Business briefing in both countries;
     Transportation from airport to hotel in both countries;
     Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, 
distributors, and/or end users as well as with local industry contacts;
     Participation in mission reception at the Ambassadors' 
residences in both countries;
     U.S. Embassy rates at local hotels in both countries;
     Conference calls with U.S. Embassy staff to review your 
specific goals/objectives.

                       Proposed Mission Timetable
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          Day of week                  Date               Activity
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Sunday........................  June 13, Santo     Arrive in Santo
                                 Domingo.           Domingo
                                                   No-host dinner.
Monday........................  June 14, Santo     Business Breakfast
                                 Domingo.           Briefing.
                                                   One-on-One Business
                                                    Meetings.
                                                   Luncheon organized by
                                                    the American
                                                    Chamber.
                                                   Evening Welcome
                                                    Reception.
Tuesday.......................  June 15..........  One-on-One Business
                                                    Meetings.
                                                   Follow-up meetings or
                                                    site visits.
Wednesday.....................  June 16..........  Travel to and arrival
                                                    in Kingston,
                                                    Jamaica.
Thursday......................  June 17..........  Business Breakfast
                                                    Briefing.
                                                   One-on-One Business
                                                    Meetings.
                                                   Luncheon organized by
                                                    the American
                                                    Chamber.
                                                   Evening Welcome
                                                    Reception.
Friday........................  June 18..........  One-on-One Business
                                                    Meetings.
                                                   Follow-up meetings or
                                                    site visits.
Saturday......................  June 19..........  Check out hotel.
                                                   Return to the United
                                                    States.
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[[Page 9576]]

Participation Requirements

    All persons interested in participating in the Caribbean Trade 
Mission to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica 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. 
Target recruitment for the Trade Mission is between 12 and 15 
companies.
    Fees and Expenses:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two Stops...........................  SME Company\1\.........     $3,250
Two Stops...........................  Large Company..........      3,800
One Stop............................  SME Company............      1,950
One Stop............................  Large Company..........      2,250
Participation fee for each            .......................        500
 additional company representative.
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\1\ 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/contracting_opportunities/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).

    Expenses for travel, lodging, most 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 the U.S. Department of Commerce 
receives an incomplete application, the Department may reject the 
application, request additional information, or take the lack of 
information into account when evaluating the applications.
    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% U.S. content of the value of the finished product/
service.
    Selection Criteria for Participation:
    Each applicant to the program will be screened for the following:
     Relevance of the company's business line to the mission's 
goals.
     Timeliness of company's signed application and 
participation agreement including fees.
     Timely and adequate provision of company and product/
service information and literature, in order to enable communication of 
company's objectives and scheduling of business appointments.
     Provision of adequate information on company's products 
and/or services, and company's primary market objectives, in order to 
facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing 
references to partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) will be removed from an applicant's submission and not 
considered during the selection process.

Timeframe For Recruitment And Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner 
on a first come first serve basis, including publication in the Federal 
Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar--
http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html--and other Internet websites, 
publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, 
mailings from internal mailing lists, win-faxes to internal database of 
clients, email to sector distribution lists, through posting in the 
Federal Register, and at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, 
trade shows, etc. The Trade Mission will also be promoted by USCS and 
by team members in U.S. Export Assistance Centers.
    Recruitment for the mission is to begin immediately and conclude no 
later than March 19, 2010. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
all applications immediately after the deadline. We will inform 
applicants of selection decisions as soon as possible after March 19, 
2010. Applications received after that date will be considered only if 
space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Contacts:
    Southern Network Hub:

Lesa Forbes, Miami U.S. Export Assistance Center, 5835 Blue Lagoon 
Drive, Suite 203, Miami, FL 33126, Tel: (305) 526-7425 ext 28, Fax: 
(305) 526-7434, E-mail: [email protected];
Ashley Wilson, Oklahoma U.S. Export Assistance Center, 301 N.W. 63rd 
Street, Suite 330, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, Tel: (405) 608-5302, Fax: 
(405) 608-4211, E-mail: [email protected];

    U.S. Commercial Service in Santo Domingo:

Robert O. Jones, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Megan Schildgen, 
Commercial Officer, Maria Elena Portorreal, Senior Commercial 
Specialist, American Embassy, Ave. Pedro Henriquez Ure[ntilde]a No. 
133, Edificio Empresarial Reyna l, 5th floor, La Esperilla, Santo 
Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tel.: 1 809-227-2121, Fax: 1 809-920-0267, 
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], 
[email protected].

Sean Timmins,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-4347 Filed 3-2-10; 8:45 am]
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